Seemingly overnight, CBD oil became a household name because of the great benefits of the chemical compound Cannabidiol (CBD) found in the hemp plant. This naturally-occurring compound helps maintain a healthy and well-functioning body that many want to incorporate into their everyday lives.
However, many people are averse to using a CBD tincture or oral spray. Some might find the taste unpleasant, while others find it difficult to remember taking it with their busy schedules. Fortunately, CBD oil is an extremely versatile product that can be used in dozens of ways.
One of the most popular ways to apply CBD is to consume it through food and beverage. CBD-infused foods have gained substantial momentum in the market. You can find a variety of CBD edibles such as baked goods and candies in the market. In some restaurants, CBD edibles are even included in their menu.
However, if you prefer a homemade meal, you can also prepare your own CBD-infused food. There are some benefits to cooking and baking with CBD than ingesting the oil on its own.
Long-lasting effects
If you want to experience the effect quickly, you might want to consume your CBD sublingually instead of mixing it into your food. A sublingual application can only take approximately 15-60 minutes to take effect. In comparison, it may take up to 90 minutes for the body to process CBD through the digestive system.
However, the effects of CBD when taken with food do last longer. This is because food gets digested at a slower pace, meaning the cannabis will be released slowly throughout the day. The effect of CBD edibles can often last up to two to four hours longer than other types of CBD products would.
Easy to cook with
The taste of CBD oil depends on its formulation. CBD oil has a slightly earthy aftertaste that is certainly not for everyone. Some manufacturers add flavours to make them more palatable, especially for first-time users. However, some people don’t like the taste of CBD regardless of the flavour. One of the best ways to mask the flavour of CBD oil is in cooked or baked foods.
CBD oil blends easily with most dishes. If you take CBD oil with food, you probably won’t notice its taste at all. It can even heighten the taste of your favourite foods. Simultaneously, the existence of numerous flavours also allows you to complement different cuisines and food types.
Before hitting the kitchen, here are a few tips you need to remember to get the most out of your CBD-infused food.
Use high-quality CBD oil
There are CBD products made specifically for cooking, like olive-oil that has been pre-infused. However, most CBD oil can be added to the oils you already use for cooking. The first thing to consider is the quality of your CBD oil product. Quality matters since not all CBD oil are created equal.
Many CBD products have label claims that don’t always match what you actually get inside the bottle. Some products may be less or more potent than advertised. The quality and potency based on the extraction and refinement of the CBD oil, can affect how it works in cooking. Less refined oils are more likely to leave an unpleasant aftertaste.
There is no substitute for high-quality CBD oil, so take full advantage of CBD’s benefits by looking for a reputable brand. CBD oil from a reliable company is backed by third-party lab test results to ensure quality, safety, and potency. Third-party lab tests confirm that products are free from pesticides and other unwanted additives.
Start small
CBD may be a non-psychoactive component, but it’s still essential to monitor dosages to ensure you’re getting your desired effect. When you’re starting, test a small amount of CBD oil and look at how you respond before adding a slightly higher dose the next time.
When adding a higher dose, remember not to overdo it and build it up gradually. Using more than necessary would essentially waste a valuable product. Additionally, some people usually see better results in lower doses than higher ones.
Everyone responds differently to CBD oil, but most people start with 10 mg. When you get more experienced with CBD oil cooking, you can increase your dosage by 5 mg. If you feel the same or worse after adding 5 mg, it means you’ve exceeded your maximum dose, and you need to return to your previous dose.
Use recipes with some sort of fat in them
CBD oil tends to lose most of its effectiveness if you just splash it into your dish. Try adding some kind of fat into your recipe to ensure your CBD infused food comes out exactly the way you want.
Since CBD is fat-soluble, it tends to work best when you combine it with carriers. Combining it with healthy fats such as olive oil, coconut oil, coconut butter, grass-fed butter, or ghee will give the CBD oil something to bind to. This will increase bio-availability and receive the full benefits of the compound.
Be Wary of Heat
When cooking with CBD oil, be careful when applying heat as it can be a fickle ingredient. While warming the oil can increase the CBD’s effectiveness, excessive heat can kill some of its active components. It’s why CBD oil shouldn’t be cooked over direct heat or added when cooking over high heat, such as deep-frying and sautéing.
Additionally, cooking at excessive temperatures can bring out more of its bitterness. As a result, your food will also taste bitter. Instead, reserve the oil for low-temperature recipes, like poaching. You can also use CBD oil in food by mixing it with cold foods and room temperature foods.
Another option for CBD and cooking is to add the CBD oil over the finished dish to get the most out of the product. Many people love to use CBD oil as a finishing touch or mix it into pesto or vinaigrette.
Love CBD is a small family-run CBD shop that offers high-quality cannabis oil, establishing a leading brand for CBD capsules, balm, and sprays in the UK. Visit us at www.lovecbd.org or contact us at [email protected] for your CBD-related queries.
