We are often asked what the best way to take CBD oil is. The most common method is a sublingual oil – meaning an oil that you put under your tongue. This method offers a great balance of bioavailability (the mg your body can absorb from each dose) and longevity of effects. Smoking or vaping is more bioavailable, but in your system a lot less time (rapid in = rapid out). At the other end of the spectrum, edibles last longer but are potentially less bioavailable. So, what’s best? Our most common answer is – the best method is the one you will be consistent with. If you can’t stand the taste of the oil, you won’t use it, so your benefit will be zero. Likewise, if vaping or smoking bothers your throat and lungs (or your neighbors), you won’t do it. Therefore, bioavailability and longevity mean nothing because you are not consistent with your dose.
The anti-inflammatory and anti-anxiety properties of CBD are most effective with consistent dosing. Most consumers find that consistent smaller doses are more effective than occasional or “as-needed” dosing. Some people have difficulty finding a method that they (or their loved ones) will be consistent with. So, we thought we would explore a few rather unique methods for taking CBD. That is, making your favorite food, smoothie, tea, or other culinary item that you already eat or drink a part of your CBD routine as well. This may offer you a new dimension of wellness-infused dishes and treats. In this article, we will delve into the art of cooking with CBD, exploring its various forms - flower, oils, and water-soluble powders - and provide three delightful recipes for CBD-infused edibles.
Different ways to take CBD Oil: Enhancing Wellness through Culinary Creativity
Incorporating CBD oil into your daily routine has never been easier, thanks to its versatility and minimal impact on the flavor of finished dishes. There are several delightful ways to ingest CBD oil, allowing you to infuse your favorite dishes and beverages with its wellness-enhancing properties.
1. Adding CBD Oil to Tea: Elevate your tea experience by adding your CBD oil to a cup of
your favorite. Begin by brewing your preferred tea, whether it's herbal, green, or black tea. Once your tea is ready, allow it to cool slightly before adding the CBD oil. Stir well to ensure even distribution and enjoy the soothing blend of flavors and benefits that CBD can bring to your tea ritual. Note that oil and water don’t mix precisely, so some oil may collect at the top, especially if you take your time drinking your tea, so you may want to give it an occasional stir.
2. Placing CBD Oil in Food or Smoothies: Infusing CBD oil into your meals or smoothies is another great option. Whether you're whipping up a hearty pasta dish, a fresh salad dressing, or a revitalizing smoothie, CBD oil can be seamlessly incorporated. For food recipes, consider drizzling CBD oil over your finished dish to preserve its potency. In smoothies, blend the oil along with your chosen ingredients for a balanced and nutritious CBD-infused treat.
3. Crafting CBD-Infused Baked Goods: CBD oil can be a secret ingredient in your baking adventures. From cookies to muffins, you can infuse your favorite treats with CBD's potential benefits. When using CBD oil in baking, be mindful of the temperature, as excessive heat can degrade its compounds. Replace a portion of the oil or butter used in the recipe with CBD oil. This ensures a more even distribution throughout the batter, yielding consistent dosing across each baked good.
Replacement calculation:
Yield in number of pieces x desired dose in mg ÷ # mg per ml = # of ml of oil required
Example – 48 cookies at 20mg each using an oil that is 50mg per ml:
48 x 20 ÷ 50 = 19.2 – using a conversion calculator (via google), this is 1tbsp + 1 tsp or 1 1/3 Tbsp
19.2 (or 20) full droppers of oil. The way we do it when cooking is put the oil into the appropriate measuring cup for the recipe and then pour the vegetable oil or melted butter on top of it. That way, you are doing a direct substitution of CBD oil for vegetable oil.
Our favorite CBD Cookie Recipe (approx. 25mg per cookie)
(this is the classic “Neiman Marcus” chocolate chip cookie):
Ingredients:
1 cup butter short by 2 tbsp (1 stick + 6 tbsp)
2 tbsp or 30ml Natural CBD Oil
1 cup dark brown sugar, packed
1cup granulated sugar
2 eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla
2½ cups oatmeal
2 cups flour
½ teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon baking powder
12 ounces chocolate chips
14-ounce milk chocolate bar
1½ cups chopped nuts
Directions:
Heat oven to 375 degrees.
Cream together butter and both sugars. Stir in eggs and vanilla.
Finely grind oatmeal in a blender or food processor. Combine the oatmeal, flour, salt, baking powder and soda in a medium bowl, and slowly add it to the wet ingredients. Beat just until combined. Grate chocolate bar using a microplane grater and add it, along with chocolate chips and nuts to the batter. Mix just to combine.
Drop by heaping tablespoonfuls, 2 inches apart, on a greased cookie sheet. Bake for 10 minutes. This recipe should yield 50-55 cookies.
Keeping CBD on hand for baking – Try making a CBD infused butter.
CBD-infused butter is a versatile ingredient that can be used in various culinary applications, from spreading on toast to using in recipes that call for regular butter. Here's a straightforward procedure for making CBD butter from CBD flower:
Ingredients:
1 cup unsalted butter
3-7 grams of CBD flower, decarboxylated (this process activates the CBD compounds)
Cheesecloth or fine mesh strainer
Procedure:
Decarboxylation (activating the CBD): Preheat your oven to 240°F (115°C). Break the CBD flower into small pieces and spread them in a single layer on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Bake in the preheated oven for 40-60 minutes, gently stirring every 10-15 minutes to ensure even decarboxylation. The flower should turn a slightly darker color and emit a pleasant aroma.
Infusion: In a saucepan over low heat, melt the unsalted butter. Once melted, add the decarboxylated CBD flower and stir well. Maintain a gentle simmer for 2-3 hours, stirring occasionally to prevent burning. This process allows the CBD compounds to be absorbed by the fat in the butter. A slow cooker can be used for up to eight hours for an even more thorough extraction.
Straining: After simmering, remove the saucepan from the heat and let the mixture cool slightly. Place a cheesecloth or fine mesh strainer over a glass container or bowl. Carefully pour the CBD-infused butter through the strainer to separate the flower remnants from the infused butter. Squeeze the cheesecloth to extract as much infused butter as possible.
Cooling and Storing: Allow the CBD-infused butter to cool to room temperature before refrigerating. Once cooled, cover the container and store it in the refrigerator. Your CBD butter can be used as a substitute for regular butter in various recipes.
A quick note about dosing calculations:
If the flower is 20% CBD and you are using 7 grams, the yield will be approximately 850mg of CBD. The calculation is:
% CBD x grams x 1000 x .6
In the above example, .2 x 7 x 1000 x .6 = 840. This is because the extraction yield will be about 60% of the Cannabinoid content. Therefore, the resulting 1c butter used to make:
12 large muffins = approx. 70mg each
24 cookies = approx. 35mg each
Water-Soluble CBD Powders: Enhancing Beverages and More
Water-soluble CBD powders have gained traction for their easy integration into beverages, sauces, and other liquid-based recipes. Unlike CBD oil, which may separate in liquids, water-soluble powders dissolve well, ensuring an even distribution of CBD throughout the mixture. This form of CBD is particularly suitable for crafting refreshing beverages like CBD-infused teas, mocktails, and smoothies. Here is a great smoothie recipe.
CBD-Infused Mixed Berry Smoothie
Yields: 2 servings
Ingredients:
1 cup mixed frozen berries (strawberries, blueberries, raspberries)
1 ripe banana
1 cup spinach leaves
1 cup almond milk (or any milk of your choice)
1 tablespoon honey or maple syrup
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
water-soluble CBD powder (dose per your preference – 30mg per ¼ tsp)
Instructions:
In a blender, combine the frozen mixed berries, ripe banana, spinach leaves, almond milk, honey or maple syrup, and vanilla extract.
Blend on high until smooth and creamy.
Add the water-soluble CBD powder and blend for an additional 10-15 seconds to ensure it's evenly distributed.
Taste the smoothie and adjust sweetness or thickness as desired, adding more honey or almond milk if necessary.
Pour into glasses and enjoy immediately as a refreshing and nutritious CBD-infused beverage.
Final Words about Exploring New Ways to Take CBD
Cooking with CBD opens up a world of creative possibilities for infusing wellness into your culinary creations. Taking CBD doesn’t have to be a “grin and bear it” experience. CBD's diverse forms - flower, oil, and water-soluble powder - offer various ways to experiment with flavors, textures, and nutritional benefits. From cookies and baked goods with a CBD twist to a vibrant mixed berry CBD smoothie, these recipes exemplify how CBD can seamlessly integrate into your cooking repertoire, elevating both the taste and potential health benefits of your favorite dishes. As you embark on your CBD-infused culinary journey, remember to start with conservative CBD dosages and gradually adjust according to your preferences and needs, ensuring an enjoyable and relaxing experience.
We hope you enjoy exploring different ways to take CBD Oil. If you have any questions or need help deciding how much or what method to use, don’t hesitate to contact us. Call us at 407-235-0653 or email info@bluelotuswellnessandcbd.com or chat with us right here on this page.