CBD took the world by storm and generated billions of dollars in the last several years. Its natural health claims and lack of side effects make it a great remedy for plenty of ailments. You can add CBD to just about anything and make a CBD recipe that tastes delicious – including drinks like hot chocolate!
Keep reading to learn more about CBD and how to add it to food.
What Is CBD?
CBD is short for cannabidiol which is a chemical compound found in the hemp plant. It’s only one of the hundreds of compounds found in the hemp plant.
There are many benefits of CBD:
- Anxiety
- Depression
- Heart health
- Skin health, like acne or dry skin
- Cancer symptoms
- Chronic pain
- Sleeping
One of the benefits of taking CBD is that, compared to taking regular medications, there are typically no side effects. If there are, you might experience fatigue or diarrhea.
Some people are concerned about getting high when you take CBD. While hemp and marijuana are cousins within the same plant family, CBD cannot get you high because it’s derived from hemp. The chemical THC is responsible for that psychosomatic feeling.
Methods of Taking CBD
There are many methods to taking CBD, such as tinctures, capsules, gummies, and vaping.
Tinctures are CBD mixed with oil or water, and sometimes they have flavorings like peppermint or chocolate. They’re easy to use because you measure exactly what you need using a dropper.
CBD capsules are convenient because they’re pre-measured. The only downside is that they need to be metabolized before you begin to feel any effects.
CBD edibles are foods that are infused with CBD. They can be cookies, candies, chips, drinks, and so forth.
Why Add CBD to Foods?
Adding CBD to food is beneficial for several reasons.
If you enjoy the benefits of CBD but don’t enjoy the taste, adding CBD to food can make it more palatable. Eating something that you love will help you get CBD into your system so you can enjoy the benefits without the taste.
Also, some people need to take large amounts of CBD to help their ailments, but not everyone does. If you want just a little bit of CBD but don’t need all the benefits, putting a drop or two of CBD in your drink might give you the boost you need.
If you’re into culinary arts and enjoy making new foods and recipes, experimenting with CBD recipes could be a creative outlet! CBD foods are all the rage because many people like eating CBD on the go instead of measuring out oil or taking capsules.
Tips for Cooking With CBD
Cooking with CBD can be fun but tricky. Here are a few tips to remember.
Buy CBD that has a cooking oil, like olive oil already infused. This makes it easier for the oil to emulsify.
Watch your temperature! Cooking too high of a temperature can mess with the effectiveness of the CBD. Add the CBD after taking the food off the heat, preferably 300 degrees and under.
Beware of consuming CBD with alcohol. CBD combined with alcohol can lead to sleepiness.
CBD Hot Chocolate Recipe
A fun recipe to start with is hot chocolate! It’s a simple way to start experimenting with CBD and cooking.
Here is a recipe to try using a pre-made hot chocolate mix.
You’ll need:
- CBD oil, preferably from a tincture or flavored with peppermint or chocolate.
- Milk of choice
- Mugs
- Hot chocolate mix
- Whipped cream (optional)
- Toppings like cinnamon, nutmeg, or peppermint candy (optional)
Start by heating the milk to the desired temperature. When adding CBD, make sure to stay under 300 degrees, though most hot chocolates are fine between 130-150 degrees.
Add the mix to your mugs and add the milk. Stir to combine. You could add the CBD at this time and mix it into the hot chocolate, or you could add it to the whipped topping for an interesting look!
You could experiment by trying several ways to incorporate the CBD. Once you find what works for you, ask others to try it as well to get some feedback!
Buying CBD
When you’re considering making a CBD tincture recipe, you need to think about the type of CBD you’re going to use. Because CBD is such a hot commodity, it’s important to recognize the red flags of buying fake CBD, especially since you’ll ingest it. Many people want to capitalize on CBD, and as a result, they make a less-than-perfect product with disastrous results.
Here are some important tips when buying CBD.
Buy from a reputable source. Reputable companies are proud of their product and transparent about their operations. If you find a company that seems sketchy with where they source their CBD products, consider looking elsewhere.
Does the company provide information regarding their location, phone number, and other policies? Any trustworthy business will allow you to contact them easily. If there’s little to no information regarding their logistics, that’s a red flag.
While you likely want to stay as economical as possible, don’t expect CBD to be at rock-bottom prices. When it comes to the price of CBD, don’t cut any corners. Paying for high-quality CBD is worth it because you’re ingesting it, and if you’re using it to manage ailments, you want something that will work.
CBD Recipes: Have Fun!
When you’re considering a CBD recipe, hot chocolate is a great first trial run. Once you feel confident in simple recipes, consider moving onto something more challenging and see how it works!
Do you want to learn more about CBD or shop for high-quality CBD products? We’ve got you covered! Visit our online store to see some of our best sellers!