Cannabidiol —a.k.a CBD — has become a key player in mainstream culture. What was once under the radar has now become an important part of consumer behaviour in Canada and abroad. The use of CBD has grown exponentially, from simply smoking the cannabis plant to finding innovative new ways to enjoy this natural product.
The culinary world has embraced CBD in an unexpected way — from flavoured edibles to herbal teas and baked goods. Whether you’re an experienced chef or finding your bearings as a novice cook, CBD can be incorporated in a variety of ways to suit your lifestyle, comfort level, and taste buds.
If you’ve been toying with the idea of cooking with CBD, we’re here to help by providing some handy tips and tricks — to make your culinary experience more enjoyable and help you become more comfortable with CBD.
Tip: Don’t Waste Your Oils
Cooking can be an expensive venture if you’re prone to experimenting or trying fancier recipes. Even in the case of CBD, if you choose to use your oils directly, you could be spending more money than necessary.
Rather than potentially wasting your expensive vials, look into CBD-infused olive oil to compliment your next meal. This allows you to streamline your recipe by using an ingredient that has already been infused and measured.
Tip: Don’t Overheat
While cooking on high may be favoured in certain recipes, it’s best to air on the side of caution when it comes to cooking with CBD. CBD can become less effective when it’s exposed to high temperatures — causing the effects to burn off, which will waste the money you’ve spent on your oils.
While stovetop temperatures should be monitored closely, you may have more flexibility when it comes to baking the oil into a baked good. If you’re weary of this technique, we recommend waiting until your food has been removed from the hot surface and adding your oil as a seasoning rather than a core ingredient.
Tip: Use with Healthy Fats
CBD is known as fat-soluble, which means your body absorbs the oil best when it’s paired with healthy-fat foods. This is often why CBD oil is so popular in the culinary world. Cannabinoids are known to be drawn to fats, so it pairs nicely with fatty oils including coconut, avocado and standard olive oil.
Tip: Start Slowly
While it may be an exciting new venture, cooking with CBD should be approached with caution as it’s still relatively new to the industry. There may be certain foods that don’t agree with CBD. In this case, research is key.
Being mindful of how much you’re ingesting is equally as important as which foods you’re mixing the oil with — if you’re new to CBD, it’s best to start with the minimum dosage, which should be outlined on the bottle. Once you’re able to see how your body reacts, you can make an educated decision about the increased amount you’re comfortable taking.