Want to try your hand at creating edibles or infusing cannabis into your cooking? Follow these basics to get started!
Cooking with THC vs CBD
There aren’t major differences to cooking with THC vs CBD. The same techniques apply to both products. The different lies in the effects - THC comes with a high, whereas CBD has more medicinal affects.
TIP: Keep in mind that CBD products can contain traces of THC.
Choosing the right cannabis strain
Shopping for the right cannabis product is the first step in creating a great cannabis edible. A few things to consider when choosing your cannabis:
What effect do you want to have from your edibles?
Different strains have different effects on your body. Do you want to feel relaxed or euphoric? Something to help you sleep, or energy for a social gathering?
Knowing when you’re going to use the cannabis-infused edibles will help you choose the best strain for cooking with your cannabis.
What strain flavors will best enhance your recipe?
TIP: Make sure your fresh cannabis or CBD flowers are stored properly and used in a timely manner. Just like other ingredients, cannabis can go stale over time.
Getting Cannabis Ready for Cooking
When using cannabis flower in cooking, it must go through decarboxylation. Decarb is a heating process that converts the cannabinoid acids, THCA and/or CBDA, into a form your body can actually use, THC or CBD.
Here are the basic instructions for your own DIY decarbing. Feel free to save this recipe card for future use!
Making your own Cannabutter
Here is a recipe for creating your own Cannabutter. Remember to use a dosage calculator and carefully measure the prepared cannabis!
Making your own Cannaoil
Just like making cannabutter, be sure to carefully measure your dosages using a dosage calculator.
TIP: If you’re not sure about creating your butter, oil, or the decarb process, there are many professional cooking products you can purchase that are ready to go. Cannabis oils, infused honey, and cannabis cooking powders are all great options. Just be very careful to determine proper dosages and check how the flavors will affect your recipe before cooking / baking.
Start with Basic Cannabis Recipes
If you’re new to cooking with cannabis, don’t pick too complicated of a recipe. It is best to get used to the basics of cooking with cannabis, such as getting the cannabis ready for cooking, dosage, and adding the cannabis-infused elements at the proper time.
Measure your Dosage Carefully
It is important to get the right dosage in your edibles. Your body processes edibles different than smoking. For example, smoking gives you a quick high within the first half hour, but edibles can take longer for your body to process and to feel the effects.
Now that your cannabis is properly decarbed and infused into the ingredient of your choice, it is time to get cooking!
Cannabis Cooking
Grab the recipe you’ve been wanting to try and enjoy.
A few more quick tips to keep in mind when cooking with cannabis:
Watch the Cannabis Cooking Temperature
Cooking cannabis at too high of a temperature will degrade the THC. To avoid degrading, temperatures must remain below 356 degrees Fahrenheit. Because ovens are often not exact, keep the temps below 350 degrees Fahrenheit.
TIP: If you’re concerned about temperatures, you can start out trying no-bake recipes, or recipes that require lower heating. Comforting soups or pasta sauces are great examples of easy, low heat recipes that are simple for beginners.
Add Your Cannabis-Infused Oils or Butters at the End
While you may like to sauté veggies in the oils, it is better to add your cannabis infused ingredients at the end of the cooking process to avoid degrading of THC or CBD.
Storing Edibles or Cannabis-infused products
Edibles should be stored like any other products - cooked items in the fridge, baked goods can go in the pantry.
However, it is important to keep edibles in a safe place away from children.
