Cannabis-lover should know a few points before experimenting with edible cannabis products. First-time users should have all the information on dosage, strains, and ingredients used into consideration. This article showcases few key points to make your experience with cooking and consuming cannabis-infused products goes as smoothly as possible.
Knowing Your Strains
When preparing or enjoying cannabis-infused food products, the first thing you should know is what strain is being used as an ingredient. Usually, strains will fall under three categories: indica, sativa, or hybrid.
Indica: Indica strains tend to leave users feeling more relaxed and sedated. For those using cannabis for medical purposes, indica strains tend to be ideal for patients suffering from chronic pain, lowering anxiety levels, preventing seizures, and inducing sleep. Some of the most popular and well-recognized indica strains are those belonging to the Kush family.
Sativa: Sativa strains tend to leave consumers with a more uplifting effect. These strains tend to have higher levels of THC than those of their indica counterparts. These strains are ideal for daytime use since they do not have a sedating effect. Many users say that sativa strains can enhance productivity and creativity.
Hybrids: Hybrid strains tend to combine the properties from an indica and sativa strain, which often causes, what users would describe as an “alert mellowness.” These strains are ideal for consumers who wish to feel the uplifting effects of sativa while also experiencing the body relaxation of an indica.
CBD: CBD is one of the chemical compounds known as cannabinoids found in the cannabis plant. Unlike, THC which is the cannabinoid that causes the “high” sensation associated with cannabis, CBD is non-psychoactive. Because of this, CBD has become a popular option for users who wish to medicate using cannabis, but who do not want to feel the effects of being “stoned.” This is a great option for parents of children suffering from conditions such as epilepsy, and other health issues that can be treated with medical marijuana.
Base Ingredients
After choosing which strain is best for you, the next step in the process when it comes to cooking with cannabis is to decide which the best base ingredient to use is. One of the most common ways that cannabis is used when it comes to infused foods is cannabutter. Cannabutter can be used as a base ingredient to make baked foods such as cookies and brownies or substituted for any baking recipe that calls for regular butter.
Canna-oil is any kind of cooking oil such as vegetable, canola, or coconut oil that has been infused with cannabis flower. These cooking oils can also be used for baking foods, but they’re also used for sauces or salad dressings.
Tinctures are a growing option used by many when it comes to ingesting cannabis. Tinctures can be used to infuse beverages such as sodas, teas, and even energy drinks. Tinctures are also used when making cannabis-infused candies. Tinctures can also be added to almost any food products, and are a great base to use when users want to have control over the dosage.
Cooking with Cannabis
Decarboxylation process or decarbing is one of the most important steps to take when cooking with cannabis. Decarbing, involves heating cannabis flower in a hot source such as an oven to activate the THC. Depending on the temperature and time in the oven, you can either activate the THC or even convert the cannabis flower to enhance CBD properties. As stated earlier in the conversation, CBD is an excellent alternative for users who wish to medicate with cannabis, but do not want to feel the “high” associated with cannabis use. After your cannabis has been properly decarboxylated, you need to determine how strong you wish to make your base ingredients. Stronger base ingredients will require more flowers, whereas low dosage or less powerful base ingredients can be made using less.
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