Due to the abundance of news related to medical marijuana, more and more people are becoming aware of the potential benefits of cooking with CBD oil. In addition to providing relief from pain and cancer-related symptoms, CBD oil can also be used as a home remedy for treating anxiety, depression, acne and certain neurological disorders.
Additionally, new research has indicated that CBD oil might be useful in treating high blood pressure, which could be beneficial to the heart and circulatory system.
CBD is derived from the marijuana plant, otherwise known as cannabis. To make the oil, CBD is diluted with a carrier oil like hemp seed oil or coconut oil. Unlike Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), which is also derived from the marijuana plant, CBD oil is not psychoactive and has no mind-altering properties.
If you are considering cooking with CBD oil, it is important that you understand some of the basic properties of the oil, as well as its advantages and disadvantages.
To help you, here are five tips that should prove beneficial:
1. Purchase High-Quality CBD Oil
Anyone who cooks with olive oil will tell you that there is no substitute for a good-quality oil. The same is true for CBD oil. In order to make sure that you are purchasing a high-quality oil, be sure to choose a reliable provider with a good reputation. Because there are so many new suppliers in the marketplace, you may have to do some research in order to find the best CBD oil companies.
It is important that you cook with a good-quality oil because a low-grade oil may not provide the same benefits. Even worse, an inferior oil could potentially contain toxins.
Unfortunately, it may be difficult to determine the quality of a CBD oil at first glance. With the daily deluge of new suppliers and oils along with very few government regulations, it is likely that there are some inferior products posing as high-quality oils. One way that you can tell is by the price. If the price of the oil is ridiculously low, it was probably extracted using a cheap methodology that uses toxic solvents, such as propane.
The extraction methods that yield the highest quality of oil include the use of grain alcohol to remove the residues and unneeded toxins from the hemp plant and a process that uses high-pressure carbon dioxide in an extremely cold environment. A good-quality oil will contain almost 70 percent cannabidiol (CBD) in the first extraction.
2. Recognize the Differences in Cooking with CBD Oil versus Other Oils
The chemical composition of CBD oil is quite different from other cooking oils, such as olive oil or vegetable oil and therefore must be used in a slightly different manner. To start with, be careful with putting CBD oil over direct heat. This can cause the oil to lose terpenes, which are compounds that increase the medical effectiveness of the CBD. Also, the oil may taste bitter if it gets too hot. Constant stirring will help to keep the oil temperature down, plus it will distribute the oil more evenly throughout the food.
Some people enjoy the taste of CBD oil, while others find it to be overpowering. Until you get used to cooking with it, experiment with recipes that have the ability to absorb stronger flavors. Avoid delicate dishes that require a very light oil. Another technique that works well for beginners is to try mixing the CBD oil with another oil that you are more familiar with.
Once you have cooked with CBD oil for a while, you will begin to see what works well and what doesn’t. You will then be able to tweak your recipes and your techniques so that your meals are delicious. Temperature also matters when baking with CBD oil. Look for recipes that require an oven temperature of 365 degrees F or less, as CBD oil tends to evaporate at higher temperatures.
3. Find Recipes That Work Well with CBD Oil
Most of the recipes that have been published for use with CBD oil focus on baked goods and sweets. The reason for this is that the taste of the CBD oil, which can be quite bitter, is easier to disguise in sugar and chocolates. However, sweet dishes are not the only places where CBD oil can be used successfully.
Savory dishes turn out just fine if you take the time to infuse the CBD oil into a fat- or oil-based ingredient, such as coconut oil, lard or butter. In cooking terms, this procedure is known as emulsifying. It results in activating the CBD terpenes, which maximizes the health benefits. In some recipes, it might be possible to substitute an alcoholic product, such as whiskey, rum or vodka, for the fat component.
It is better to avoid beer and wine, though, because they are water-based and will not infuse the CBD oil in the same way that a fat component will. You can find many recipes on YouTube that are designed for cooking with CBD oil.
4. Have Fun Experimenting with CBD in the Kitchen
Cooking with CBD oil is relatively new, and there are many things still to be discovered. Therefore, have fun, and do some experimenting. For example, try CBD oil in coffee and smoothies. Although coffee is primarily water-based, you can infuse CBD oil into your cream or another fat that you add to your coffee.
Smoothies work well with CBD oil, because they typically contain fat products, such as avocados, yogurt or coconut milk. You can also whip up some excellent sauces and dressings that are oil-based. This will allow you to incorporate CBD oil into a variety of dishes.
5. Properly Store Your CBD Oil
Like olive oil and other good-quality cooking oils, CBD oil must be stored properly. Heat and light should be avoided because cannabinoids are sensitive to both. The best place to store your oil is upright in a container located away from extreme moisture, heat and light. A dry pantry works well. You could also store your oil in your refrigerator. Some people think that this extends the shelf life. However, if the oil gets too cold, it may become thick, and you may have to heat it before use. Running the bottle under hot water usually does the trick.
If you store your CBD oil properly, it should last a year or more. This should be sufficient for most cooks, because once you get the hang of cooking with it, you will probably go through several bottles per year. Another tip for storing your oil is to be aware of the carrier liquid. CBD extracts are diluted in a carrier liquid, such as hemp seed oil, olive oil or coconut oil. That being said, simply store your CBD oil in the same way that you would store the carrier liquid. In choosing a location, make sure that it is out of the reach of small children.
