Cannabis can be used in a near infinite ways in cooking. Everyday new ways are being thought of to use this awesome plant in different edible ways. This page strives to provide the basics of how to use cannabis in cooking along with some useful tips that even experts will appreciate.
Cannabis can be infused into oils, butter, and milk to create a base for many recipes.
These infusions allow the cannabis to bind to fat molecules, which means that the effects will be felt more strongly and last longer than other methods.
Scientific Basis of Edible Cannabis
The flowers of the cannabis plant are not by themselves immediately psychoactive if you eat them. To make the THC available for your digestive system to uptake, you need to convert it to an active form THCa. This can be done by heating cannabis plants with some fat to bind it to the fat molecules.
Basic Forms of Edible Cannabis
These are the very basic forms of edible cannabis that can be turned into most dishes that exist. Just by mastering these forms, almost every single recipe can be turned into an edible cannabis experience!
Cannabutter
Cannabis-infused butter, also known as cannabutter, is made by heating butter and cannabis together for several hours. Cannabutter is one of the most versatile forms of infused cannabis and it can be used in place of regular butter in most recipes.
Cooking Oil (Canola, Olive, etc)
Cannabis oil has a milder flavor than cannabutter and can be used as a substitute for oil in most recipes, though the effects may be slightly less potent. The potency of cannabis oil depends on the amount and potency of cannabis used, and a single dose can contain 5 to 100 milligrams of THC. Cannabis oil can be added to most recipes that call for oil, such as in salad dressings, marinades, and baked goods, using the same amount of oil. However, start with 1/4 of the amount and increase as needed. Cannabis oil can also be added to drinks, though it does not dissolve as well as cannabutter. Blend the oil with a small amount of milk, juice or creamer first before adding to drinks. Cannabis oil will last for several months when properly stored. To make cannabis oil, grind cannabis, decarboxylate it, combine it with oil like canola or olive oil, and heat over low for 3 to 6 hours. Then strain out the plant matter.
Rick Simpson Oil (RSO)
RSO is cannabis oil that has been extracted using ethanol and heated to remove the solvent, leaving behind a thick, tar-like oil that is very high in THC and other cannabinoids. RSO can be added directly to foods or taken under the tongue but is very concentrated so dosage should be carefully controlled.
RSO is often made from indica strains that are high in THC, though some sativa or hybrid versions also exist. The oil is usually quite dark and has an earthy, hash-like taste. Because it retains the plant's chlorophyll, RSO tends to be less refined than other cannabis oils like distillate.
RSO is a very versatile form of edible cannabis that can be added to many foods and drinks or taken on its own. It is often used by medical marijuana patients to treat a variety of symptoms and conditions. The effects of RSO tend to be full-body, long-lasting, and sedative. When used in cooking, RSO should be added at the end of the recipe to avoid heating it for too long, which can degrade some of the cannabinoids. Dosage for RSO typically starts around the size of a grain of rice.
Tincture
A cannabis tincture is made by soaking cannabis flowers in high-proof alcohol to infuse the cannabinoids into the solvent. The alcohol is then strained, leaving behind a liquid that can be added to foods and drinks or taken under the tongue. Tinctures have a long shelf life and allow for precise dosing.
Cannasugar
Cannasugar is a cannabis-infused sugar that can be used as a substitute for regular sugar in recipes. It has a mild cannabis flavor and green color, and its effects tend to be uplifting rather than sedating. Cannasugar can be made from sativa or hybrid strains and used in place of sugar in foods and drinks, though the potency may be slightly lower. A single tablespoon of cannasugar can contain 5 to 25 milligrams of THC.
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