Even supposing you have yet to jump on the CBD bandwagon, you likely know someone who has. The famous little compound has made its journey all the way from the alternative health world to just about everywhere else. Learning how to flavor CBD oil lets you take the sensational experience to the next level by customizing the taste to your own preference.
Most cannabis products have a mild, earthy taste that almost allows you to feel the green on your tongue. The same can be said for the natural flavor of CBD oil. Not everyone enjoys CBD oil’s taste as its natural, earthy flavor may be slightly bitter for some. And that’s okay!
In the article below, we will cover the various ways that you can enjoy your CBD tinctures while avoiding the signature earthy taste that may not be for you.
CBD is short for cannabidiol, a hemp-based liquid solution extracted from the popular cannabis plant. Unlike marijuana, CBD will not produce a high and is non-addictive. The natural compound is quickly gaining popularity for its wide array of wellness benefits.
While CBD is the primary ingredient in the oil, it does not work alone. CBD oil contains a handful of other hemp-derived compounds, such as terpenes, flavonoids, and THC. Terpenes, in particular, are responsible for giving the oil its distinct aroma and flavor.
Once CBD reaches your bloodstream, it promotes internal balance within our body, also known as “homeostasis.” CBD helps your body reach homeostasis through a system that regulates our essential body functions (such as appetite, mood, and pain response). This system is called the endocannabinoid system, or The ECS, and it’s present in all mammals.
CBD consumers need to note that CBD can relax them without inducing any “high” or feelings of intoxication. Legal CBD products contain minuscule amounts of THC, containing 0.3% or less THC. If they have any THC at all, that is. This tiny concentration isn’t enough to leave you feeling intoxicated, although taking CBD with THC can often boost the product’s effects.
Many people report that CBD oil tastes a bit like olive oil or other generally earthy plant oils. CBD oil can have hints of nuttiness to it as well. A trace amount of chlorophyll (a substance from plants) shouldn’t be surprising to find in full-spectrum hemp extract, as this is what gives it its naturally “green” flavor. Although the more effort a manufacturer puts into processing their extract, the less chlorophyll will be present, allowing for a more pleasant tasting product.
While top-shelf CBD oils are typically smooth and easy to ingest, some individuals find the taste undesirable. Plus, certain CBD products are made with higher standards than others. As a result, poor-quality CBD oil may have a bitter flavor that is harsh on the taste buds.
We all know about the two all-star cannabis compounds, THC and CBD. But here at Hollyweed, we believe that terpenes get left out of the conversation much too often, even though they are critical to the CBD experience. Since hemp contains high levels of terpenes, many CBD products are packed with them.
So, what are terpenes? Terpenes are natural compounds responsible for the taste and smell of any given plant. They help plants by attracting pollinating insects and deterring predators. Research currently tells us there are more than 20,000 different terpenes in existence! Unlike CBD, terpenes are not cannabinoids. But like cannabinoids, some terpenes may exert beneficial effects on the body (think how lavender essential oil soothes you).
Cannabis strains can contain a vast array of different terpenes combinations. These natural combinations give each flower its iconic tastes, aroma, and also influence its effects. Terpenes are both natural and pleasing to our senses, making them perfect for flavoring CBD products!
Changing the flavor of CBD tincture is easier than you might think! As long as you have some terpenes, essential oils (food-grade), or tasty ingredients nearby, you can go wild with flavors.
You can add isolated terpenes or essential oils to your bottles of CBD oil to get the flavor you desire. This requires some creativity and experimentation on your end, but that’s the fun part! The result is your own oil with a taste tailored to your tongue. Simply putting essential oils or terpenes into ready-made CBD snacks or tinctures will not diminish the CBD in any way.
If you are a foodie, you can also have fun mixing CBD oil into recipes. So long as you don’t use too much, the CBD’s potency and effects should remain virtually unaffected if you decide to cook or bake with it. Or, you can simply take the oil with your favorite foods to mask the flavor.
So, are you ready to concoct that lemon-vanilla tincture? How about that CBD pasta sauce? The possibilities are endless!
There are plenty of ways to ingest CBD products without experiencing an unpleasant taste. You can always vape it, add it to your favorite drink, or eat one of the many available edible products. Listed below are a few tips for you to call to mind while working your experimental CBD magic in the kitchen!
There is little to no correlation between your CBD oil’s flavor and the physical effects it promotes. That being said, if you choose to bake or cook your CBD oil, there is a chance that the components inside the oil will break down.
This makes it essential for any culinary-minded CBD consumer to consider the temperature they cook at. If you attempt to mask the taste of your CBD oil by baking or cooking with it, some of the CBD will be destroyed in the process. You can counter this by adding a bit more oil than your usual dose, but be careful not to add too much!
You might be wondering, “how hot can my CBD oil get before it starts to break down?” Well, we’re here to tell you that CBD has a boiling point that is between 320-356˚F.
Suppose you decide that you want to adjust or customize your CBD oil’s taste with terpenes. In that case, we recommend buying terpene isolates as terpene blends come with additives, and for our purposes, we want those terpenes all by themselves.
Essential oils can be toxic to consume, so you’ll want to make sure that your product is food-grade, just to be on the safe side. To add essential oils or terpenes to your CBD tincture, simply open up your CBD oil, put a couple of drops of essential oil in the bottle, close it, and shake! You can try a blend of different essential oils to create a unique flavor all your own.
If you’d like to bake using CBD, try adding the oil after you’ve practiced the recipe a few times. This will not only give you a chance to measure the internal temperature of your treats, but it will allow you to perfect your recipe before adding the final special ingredient.
Perhaps you think CBD brownies sound tasty, but you’re not too interested in baking. Why not try adding CBD isolate or oil to pre-made baked goods? Since CBD isolate is generally flavorless, it blends well with any dish and doesn’t contain the earthy, plant-like taste that CBD oil is known for.
To determine how much of the terpene concentrate to add, you’ll want to multiply the amount of CBD oil in the container (in milliliters) by 2% and add that amount of terpene concentrate to the bottle. When using essential oils, we advise adding 0.6 ml (or about 12 drops) of essential oils per 30 ml of CBD.
Cooking with CBD should be fun and straightforward, especially when you start your culinary CBD adventure with beverages. Try adding a few drops of CBD tincture to your favorite smoothie recipes to get started. This is an easy way to notice the CBD’s effects and get a tasty (and hopefully healthy!) beverage in.
Some of our favorite recipes are CBD-infused smoothies. They’re easy to throw together and can be a great way to nourish the body! You can also try adding a few drops of CBD oil to your morning coffee or afternoon tea.
Baked goods are another satisfactory way to use CBD oil in the kitchen. Although CBD chefs need to remember that heat can degrade CBD and reduce its effects, so consider sticking with recipes that bake at 350°F or below.
To avoid the risk of losing some of your CBD to the heat, try adding CBD to non-bake treats like protein bites or a delicious homemade whipped cream. Consider stirring it into a comforting soup or a zesty pesto sauce!
CBD oil has the potential to help you in countless ways and can be a convenient and versatile solution to many of our day-to-day issues. But what if you’re one of the many people that just don’t like the taste of hemp? By using terpenes, essential oils, and perhaps some kitchen know-how, you can easily mask CBD oil’s taste with almost any flavor you want!
Find Hollyweed In Stores