Cooking with CBD is a creative way to incorporate your favorite cannabis compound into your life while enjoying all the benefits associated with this wonderful cannabinoid.

In this article, we will look at some tips and tricks for integrating CBD into your cooking. We will also see a list of the best CBD recipes that you can make yourself.

Some information about CBD

Researchers have identified over 113 cannabinoids in cannabis plants, one of which is CBD. “CBD is the acronym for “cannabidiol”, which is a cannabinoid (chemical compound) present in the cannabis plant. This compound can help combat stress and anxiety. It can also relieve pain and even help fight cancer.

Hemp and marijuana are the only two varieties of the cannabis plant. While marijuana contains high levels (>0.3% by weight) of tetrahydrocannabinol, hemp contains less than 0.3% THC. Hemp plants generally produce higher amounts of CBD, providing multiple benefits without causing a “high.”

People can consume CBD through direct ingestion, through topical creams, through a spray, or in baked goods. Some even use CBD for their pets to help them cope with stressful events, like moving into a new home.

As we will see in this article, you can also use CBD directly in your kitchen, to mix flavors and effects.

CBD and THC

There are two main cannabinoids found in the cannabis plant. The first, and perhaps most popular, is tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), the main psychoactive component of cannabis. This compound is associated with the “high” feeling when marijuana is ingested or smoked.

The second essential component is CBD, which is non-psychoactive and will not get you high.

How is CBD oil made?

CBD oil is distilled from the cannabis plant (mainly hemp) via alcohol. The alcohol solvent also makes it possible to extract all the other valuable components of cannabis, such as bioflavonoids or amino acids.

Producers allow the CBD leaves and flowers to leach into the solvent, which is then evaporated. This method is the most natural and pure way to obtain botanical substances and therefore provides the highest quality oil.

Cooking with CBD oil

Yes, you can cook with CBD oil, but with caution. Indeed, CBD is consumed in all its forms, food, flower, oils, e-liquid, etc. In addition to the potential benefits, CBD oil can improve your cooking. Not only can users enjoy CBD in health and beauty products, but they can also use this substance in culinary art.

Nowadays, people are starting to use CBD oil instead of olive oil. The former also contains the beneficial omega fats found in olive oil. Remember, CBD oil is not a cooking oil. Excessive heat can therefore cause CBD to lose its potency. Therefore, it is not a good idea to pour it into the pan over high heat and add your favorite ingredient later.

Combining CBD oils with fat is the best way to cook with it. Cannabinoids bind well with oil-based ingredients. This explains why it is best to cook with CBD oil by mixing it with coconut oil and butter.

CBD oil is incredibly versatile: you can try cooking it with CBD butter or adding it to healthy vegan meals. But if you insist on using CBD oil as a cooking oil, you can fry your food with hemp oil instead. This oil contains traces of CBD and is suitable for cooking.

The benefits of cooking with CBD

CBD provides many benefits on its own, but they can be amplified or made more effective when you add CBD to your favorite dish. Vegetables, herbs, and spices used in dishes already have therapeutic effects, and hemp-derived CBD can work with them.

Additionally, meals high in fat allow the body to better absorb CBD. This is because CBD is insoluble in water, but it is very lipophilic, meaning you can infuse oils with CBD.

A recent study showed that epilepsy patients who ate high-fat food before taking CBD were able to metabolize it faster than those who fasted. This conclusion is essential because it demonstrates that fatty ingredients can bring about the effects of CBD in the most effective way.

What does CBD oil taste like?

CBD oil has a distinct, organic flavor since it is derived from hemp, but the taste can vary depending on the oil extraction method. The flavor comes from the plant’s volatile terpene profile.

Those who try CBD oil may find it a little strange at first because it’s an acquired taste, but the flavor can improve the overall taste of your meal.

Many dislike the earthy taste of hemp, and CBD is no exception. So it’s best to know that adding CBD to your dishes can produce a strong taste, which many don’t like.

What is the best CBD oil for cooking?

When choosing CBD oil for cooking, the best options are organic, broad-spectrum products. Broad-spectrum CBD products use all of the beneficial components of the hemp plant. These components include CBD, other cannabinoids, terpenes, flavonoids, vitamins, healthy fats, and more.

The term “organic” is self-explanatory, meaning the plants are grown without pesticides. Once you find a broad-spectrum and organic oil, the rest is simply a matter of finding a reputable brand that you can trust.

After finding the best oil, the next step is to mix it with fatty or oily foods, making it easier to add it to your diet (for ingesting).

Essential Tips for Cooking with CBD Oil

Here are some essential tips and tricks to ensure you are using CBD oil effectively. When cooking with CBD oil, be sure to pay attention to the following factors.

Quality: Use high-quality CBD oil. We recommend THC-free products like CBD isolates from natural, non-GMO, organically-grown hemp plants grown on controlled farms.

Flavor: Experiment with flavors. Search and find your favorite CBD tinctures and combine them with other complementary ingredients. Take your time and choose the one that best suits your recipe!

Temperature: Do not expose your CBD oil to high temperatures. Incorporate the oil into your recipe without frying it. CBD loses its effectiveness when exposed to temperatures above 143°C (290°F). Direct heat can also change the composition of CBD oil, causing it to lose its best properties.

Bioavailability: CBD oil has higher bioavailability when you take it with fatty ingredients. Even if you use coconut-derived MCT oil in your CBD blend, it would be best if you don’t skimp on the best quality fats in your CBD recipes. You can opt for healthy oils like extra virgin olive oil, coconut oil, or grass-fed butter.

Portion size: Pay attention to portion size. The amount of CBD oil you add to each recipe is a key factor in the outcome of the food.

Make it fun: Experiment and have fun. Cooking with CBD oil is not that difficult. You can add CBD oil to several recipes, so be adventurous and let your inner chef shine! Feel free to experiment and have fun. There are many things you can do with CBD oil.

Tip: Talk to CBD experts. Consult a nutrition specialist or eligible CBD expert before incorporating it into your dishes. Whatever you do, remember that you need to maximize the positive benefits of the oil to avoid future complications.

Be patient with the effects

When you infuse CBD oil into food, a phenomenon comes into play called the “first pass effect.” This means that anything digestible must first pass through the liver and intestine before entering the bloodstream. Therefore, taking CBD through food will not have as rapid and visible an action as other methods of consumption.

A small dose is enough

People use CBD to reduce anxiety, improve sleep, and relieve pain. Whatever you need, observe the effects and gradually increase the dose until you feel it is working. Remember that everyone reacts differently to CBD oil. If you don’t know the correct dose for you, you can start with 10-15 mg/day during your first week of CBD consumption.

If you do not feel the desired effects, slowly increase the dosage. This way, you will also avoid overconsuming the expensive CBD product and save money while finding the perfect dose for you.

Warning avoid high temperatures

When cooking with CBD oil, avoid temperatures above 180 degrees. Remember that CBD oil tends to evaporate at temperatures above 180 degrees. So look for dishes that don’t require such high oven temperatures.

That said, avoid exposing CBD to direct flame and light if you want to preserve its integrity. Exposing CBD oil to too much heat can degrade its phytonutrients, such as terpenes, causing it to lose most of its benefits. Excessive heat can also alter its composition and reduce its effectiveness.

Eat on a specific schedule

If you eat your CBD-infused meals on a set schedule, you will benefit more from its benefits. If you have difficulty sleeping, try having it as a snack before bed. And if you suffer from pain or discomfort that regularly occurs in the evening, add CBD oil to your lunch dish.

Knowing when you want to reap the benefits of CBD can help you plan when to incorporate it into a meal. Mixing CBD into your morning coffee is another method to incorporate CBD into your daily routine.

How to store CBD oil correctly?

Your CBD oil probably arrived in an amber or blue bottle. These bottles are used because exposure to light can cause loss of cannabis compounds.

In other words, your oil won’t be as effective if you leave it in the light. Store your CBD bottle in a dark, cool, dry place, such as the pantry. The storage location must therefore be away from direct light and heat.

Additionally, it would be best to place the CBD oil container away from moisture. Storing your oil in a refrigerator is also a good idea to extend its shelf life.

A compilation of the best recipes and techniques

Find below a selection of the best dishes you can prepare with CBD oil.

Guacamole with CBD

Guacamole comes from Mexico and is one of the most popular dips in the world. The main ingredient, avocado, is packed with healthy fatty components, making it a perfect base for CBD oil. You can enjoy this gourmet snack whose beneficial effect is remarkable thanks to its CBD ingredient in a friendly atmosphere. Preparation time is 15 to 20 minutes.

CBD-Infused Gluten-Free Chocolate Chip Cookies

There are good reasons why chocolate chip cookies are always good options to make with CBD oil. For example, the sweetness of sugar and the taste of chocolate can mask the unpleasant taste of CBD oil. Additionally, the butter will help the body absorb the CBD much faster.

Cocoa is rich in magnesium and is a healthy source of fat. It can help relieve muscle tension. Additionally, cocoa can act synergistically with CBD. When combined with the pain-relieving and anti-inflammatory properties of CBD, cocoa can relieve cramps and other muscle pain.

CBD-Citrus Kale Salad

Whether you want to make this salad for your dinner later or for lunch the next day, you won’t regret it. Plus, it’s easy to make and takes less than 15 minutes. BTW, CBD oil is an entirely different thing from hemp oil. So be careful!