Making your own cannabis-infused food and beverages is an effective way to absorb the beneficial cannabinoids of the marijuana plant into your system. However, let’s be real: making your own edibles and drinks can be time-consuming. It even requires some trial and error for beginners when it comes to dosing and strength.
So why not add THC to food and drink yourself?
If you live in a state where cannabis is legal in some form, you can use pre-made cannabis products that infuse cannabinoids into anything you want within seconds. Here are the easiest ways to add THC to food and drinks at home — or anywhere you are.
Tinctures
Cannabis tinctures are easily the most versatile and convenient way to consume cannabis, as well as add to just about anything. Tinctures can be consumed in a variety of ways, though sublingual is the most popular way to consume them. Sublingual consumption enables quick absorption through the sublingual artery, bypassing the liver and gut and transporting the cannabinoids directly to your bloodstream.
However, when adding tinctures to your food or beverage, you can expect the onset time to be around an hour. But the best benefit of using tinctures is quick, simple, and easy dosing: simply add one or two drops for a precise dose. How much you dose will depend entirely on your own tolerance and experience with cannabis, though if you’re a newbie, always start low and slow. Start with half a drop if you are new to THC.
Additionally, tinctures are low in calories, which is great for anyone who is watching their weight. Tinctures are just around 7 calories per milliliter. If you ended up eating baked goods, candies, or other types of edibles, you can easily consume at least 200 calories and up.
Tinctures last a much longer time compared to other cannabis products since you only need a small amount. These are also full-spectrum cannabis products because making tinctures involves the entire cannabis plant, which means that consumers get to enjoy a wide array of health benefits from the cannabinoids, flavonoids, and terpenes in addition to the THC and CBD.
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When using tinctures on food you are cooking, remember to add it when the cooking has been finished. Otherwise, the high temperatures will cause the alcohol in tinctures to evaporate. It’s easy to add it to drinks too, whether you’re drinking coffee, tea, wine, cocktails, or juices. Tinctures can also easily be added into pasta sauces, salad dressings, soups, stews, smoothies, and much more.
Tinctures can also be made from glycerin, a form of sugar alcohol that comes from plant oils. These are usually less potent compared to alcohol-based tinctures but it still provides you with many of the health benefits of cannabis. Glycerin is also sweeter compared to alcohol, so this base is recommended for individuals who have some kinds of oral sensitivities.
Cannabis Oil
Most ready-made cannabis oils have little to no taste, depending on its base and if it has any flavor. This makes it easy to add to just about any food and drink, which conceal the mild taste of cannabis oils. Just like with tinctures, the effects of THC can be felt in around an hour after consuming the infused food or drink.
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Cannabis oils are made from a variety of carrier oils, which serve as the base. The most common is coconut oil, though olive and avocado oils can also be used. Coconut oils tend to have a stronger coconut taste, though it tends to dissipate when you only use a few drops on your food and drink. Milder carrier oils include lecithin or vegetable oils.
Just like with tinctures, cannabis oils are best added after cooking. However, you can cook with cannabis oils as long as you use low temperatures: the maximum should be at 350F. This prevents the therapeutic cannabinoids from burning. The most ideal temperatures for cooking with cannabis oils is between 250 to 284F.
Cannabutter
Making or buying ready-to-eat cannabutter is a fantastic way to bake or cook with infused fats. You can easily make cannabutter at home, but you can also buy some that have already been made (click here for an easy cannabutter recipe).
Cannabutter is extremely versatile, and can make for some delicious and potent edibles. Whether you’re making desserts or savory goods, you can use cannabutter with literally hundreds of recipes. Use it in place of any recipe that requires butter: from brownies to banana bread, pasta, cakes, and so much more.
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Cannabutter also works well for people who consume bulletproof coffee. Just add some unsalted cannabutter the way you would with regular butter. Many people have been consuming bulletproof coffee to increase mental clarity and cognition while helping with weight loss. Whether you’re on the keto diet or not, this delicious and creamy coffee will have you coming back for more.
When consuming cannabutter, remember that it will take a while for its effects to hit. If you have a high tolerance, it can take around an hour or more, so don’t keep on consuming seconds until you’ve waited at least an hour and a half.
Conclusion
When cooking with any of these cannabis products, always remember that you can expect the hit of THC to last up to 8 hours or more. Make sure your plans don’t include driving or operating machinery; the psychoactive effects of THC are best enjoyed from the comfort and safety of your own home.
This article originally appeared on Cannabis.net and has been reposted with permission.
