There are dozens of ways to incorporate CBD into your nutritional supplement routine. Considering the role food plays in your health and nutritional wellness, you have to wonder if it’s possible to use
CBD oil in your cooking to make your foods tastier and more beneficial. The good news is that you can use CBD oil for cooking, but the process is not as straightforward as you think. Here's everything you need to know about cooking with CBD oil.
Choosing the Right CBD Oil for Cooking
If you’ve been around CBD for some time, you know that CBD oils are not made equal. Some are better quality than others, and for cooking, you must select the right one for the best results. Some of the factors to consider include;
Flavour
Some CBD oil tinctures have mild flavouring to make them more enjoyable and easier to consume. You can still use flavoured CBD oils for your cooking, especially fruity and minty flavours that shine through.
However, you should know that some flavours might upset the food’s flavour balance. Instead, it would help if you opted for the natural CBD oil, which will infuse its natural, earthy flavour into the food without affecting other flavours.
Base Oil
CBD oil has a carrier oil that increases its absorption into the bloodstream. Commonly used base oils include MCT, Coconut, hemp and olive oil, among others. When selecting CBD oil for cooking, ensure the base oil is also desirable for cooking and has the flavour that will complement the flavours of the dish you’re preparing.
The concentration of the oil
You should practice extra precautions when cooking with CBD oil. You shouldn’t add CBD oil to the pan like you would olive oil to sauté the steak. Measure the amount of CBD oil you need based on the serving and add it to the food. This ensures the CBD in the food is potent enough for you to feel the effects without taking more CBD than you usually would.
Top Tips on Cooking with CBD Oil
Cooking with CBD oil is slightly different from how you would cook with regular cooking oil. These tips will ensure you get the most flavour and the best results when cooking with CBD oil without degrading its potency.
Avoid direct heat
CBD, like many chemicals, is very sensitive to heat and will likely dissociate in the face of high temperatures. When exposed to high temperatures, most cooking oils oxidise to release dangerous free radicals, and CBD oil is no exception. When cannabinoids are exposed to heat, they convert to other types of cannabinoids, degrading the oil’s potency and quality.
Avoid putting the oil directly on the heat when cooking with CBD oil, and keep the temperature below 160 degrees Celsius. Alternatively, you can use the oil as a final touch to your dish, so you don’t have to put it directly over heat.
Work with Cooking Oils and Fats
CBD oil is fat-soluble, meaning it works better with fats when cooking. Mix CBD oil with butter, ghee or margarine as you cook to increase its bioavailability. Instead of mixing the cooking fat and CBD oil manually, you can buy CBD oil-infused cooking fats, which are becoming popular. These fats have the ideal amounts of CBD oil already infused, delivering a much better cooking experience and wellness benefits.
Why not check out our
CBD bath bombs.
Keep the CBD concentrations low
CBD oils come in various concentrations. These can be as low or as high as you might want. Although high concentration CBD oils will cost more, you need less to achieve your desired intake. However, if you’re still new to CBD, we recommend starting with a low CBD concentration to build tolerance. This same approach applies when cooking with CBD oil. keep the dosages low and increase gradually after observing how your body responds and you’re comfortable with a higher intake.
Keep food portions and ingredients low
When trying this new regimen for the first time, keep things low. Work with small portions for every ingredient you incorporate into the recipe, translating into small food portions. As you get used to CBD oil and cooking with it, you can consistently change, but for a start, the best way to go is to keep things low as you examine how the body will adjust to this new wellness routine.
Go for strong-flavoured dishes
CBD has a strong and bold flavour which is enhanced by heating. If you have a problem with the natural taste of CBD, it’s best to go for strong-flavoured dishes when cooking with CBD oil to help mask the natural flavour of CBD. This will also give the CBD oil more range. The bitter taste will still shine and remain noticeable if you use CBD oil on subtle-flavoured foods.
Closing Remarks
There’s no shortage of ways to add CBD to your daily supplements. Besides cooking with CBD, you can also add it to your favourite smoothies and drinks. Just be cautious and ensure you only add your normal serving to every meal or drink.
