The number of conditions that can be treated with CBD has grown exponentially over the last few years as more and more people discover CBD and use it in their daily lives. As a result, the ways in which CBD can be consumed has expanded due to the efforts of creative users. One mode of consumption that you may not have considered is adding CBD oils or tinctures to food products.
There are a few things you should know about maintaining the effectiveness and potency of your CBD oil while cooking before we move on to other applications you may want to try. First, when you purchased your CBD, it probably came in an amber or blue glass bottle (Red Raven’s bottles are always amber). The reason for this is that light and UV exposure can lead to a loss of cannabinoids. Once cannabinoids start to break down, the effectiveness of the product can be compromised and you won’t get the results you want or expect from your CBD oil. Another factor to consider before cooking with CBD oil is the fact that excessive heat can also impact the cannabinoid compounds in CBD. Professionals agree that somewhere between 320 and 365 degrees Fahrenheit the chemical bonds in cannabinoids and terpenes start to break down. If you are planning on incorporating CBD into a food item that needs to be cooked at a higher temperature, or is prepared on the stovetop, it is a good idea to complete cooking first and then allow to cool for a few minutes before adding CBD.
If you’re worried about losing the effectiveness of your CBD oil, there are many options for using CBD oil as an edible without adding heat to the situation. For example, you could incorporate CBD oil into a vinaigrette to serve on greens or with grilled chicken. Another option is to add some CBD to a dip like guacamole to infuse a calming element into an appetizer.
One of the simplest ways to start incorporating CBD into your diet is by adding a few drops to liquids that you already drink. Adding CBD oil to your beverage is one of the quickest, easiest and most effective ways to deliver an added boost of nutrition. Smoothies are an exceptionally good delivery method for CBD. In fact, you can add the oil to any beverage and instantly turn your morning coffee or afternoon tea into a DIY edible.
If you do choose to cook with CBD oil, you may be wondering how much you should add for the perfect effectiveness without changing the flavor of a dish in a negative way. CBD oil can have a distinctive herbaceous taste, so for the best flavor you should use the same discretion as you would with a potent spice or a strong chili. Put a small amount of CBD into the dish, perhaps 5 to 10 milligrams, and then taste. If the next time you make the dish you feel the need to add more CBD that is always an option, but you cannot remove the ingredient once it is added. Keep in mind that you can always get CBD oils in different concentrations, so if you don’t feel like the CBD oil you use in its pure form is strong enough when added to food, you may consider a higher concentration variety so that you can feel some effects.
One of the most popular ways to cook with cannabis products is to bake. CBD brownies or cookies may be what you were thinking of when you started to read this article. There are certainly many recipes on the internet that will guide you through the process of baking with CBD. The main thing you should look out for is that the temperature of the oven should never exceed 350 degrees Fahrenheit for the best results.
Cooking with CBD should be a fun and exciting experience. As many others have done, it is best to experiment with different recipes and applications of CBD in the kitchen until you find your favorite options. The CBD community is growing every day, and the creativity of many of its members are to thank for guidance on how best to create delicious edible CBD treats right in your own kitchen.