COOKING WITH HEMP & CBD OIL: TIPS & TRICKS

The hype around CBD oil is increasing, and the cannabinoid is touted to be good for various conditions. Tinctures, gummies, capsules, serums, lotions, massage oils, vapes, and smokables now feature CBD oil. Hemp oil is popularized as among the richest oils. Did you that you can cook with CBD and hemp oils? You can have some delicious dishes made with hemp and CBD oil. Learn some tricks and tips that will come in handy when preparing your dishes with CBD and hemp oils below.

Hemp vs. CBD Oil: What’s the Difference?

Hemp and CBD oils are extracted from the same plant- industrial hemp. However, there are slight differences between these products. CBD oil is extracted from hemp flowers, stalks, stems, or leaves. These hemp plant parts are rich in CBD; hence, the resultant oil has a high CBD concentration. Many extraction methods are employed, with CO₂ and ethanol being the most common. The former is most preferred for its stability, safety, and efficiency of stripping out CBD oil without attaching volatile solvents to the extracts. Contrastingly, hemp oil is extracted from the whole plant or hemp seeds (resulting in hemp seed oil). Since these parts have less CBD oil, hemp oil has little to no CBD concentration. Still, it is among the richest oils, especially because it is rich in fatty acids such as gamma-linoleic, omega- 3, and omega-6 acids.

What’s more, CBD oil can be used for recreational purposes, as in CBD oil gummies and vapes but not hemp oil. However, both can make good cooking oils. Here are some tricks and tips while cooking with hemp and CBD oils.

Start Slow

Are you trying hemp or CBD oil for the first time? The general rule is to start slow and maintain the dosages low. Keeping the dosages low ensures your food does not become concentrated with the earthy flavor of the hemp plant.

Use Low Heat

Whether you are using CBD oil or hemp oil for cooking food, keep the heat low. Most cooking oils oxidize and break down to release harmful free radicals under extremely high temperatures. The same is true of CBD and hemp oils. They break down at high temperatures and become rancid and bitter. Therefore, it is preferred that you use CBD or hemp oil on low-temperature dishes or those that do not require direct heating. For instance, you can add a few drops of CBD oil to your afternoon tea, coffee, and homemade whipped cream, all of which do not need high temperatures or direct heating. However, when heating the oils, keep the temperatures below 320- and 200-degrees Fahrenheit for CBD and hemp oil, respectively.

Measure Small Food Portions

Whether you use CBD and hemp oils on baked products, comforting soups, sauces, or any other food, measure small proportions to prepare fewer dishes. As stated, you must allow yourself time to get used to them. Preparing small amounts of food helps you prepare just what you can take.

Blend it Well

Whether you are using CBD or hemp oil, blend them well. For instance, hemp oil has an earthy flavor from the whole hemp. Therefore, you need a few ingredients and flavor additives to mask the earthy taste. However, use all-natural ingredients if possible. The same is true of CBD oil, especially when using full or broad-spectrum types.

Focus on Quality

When shopping for CBD and hemp oils, focus on quality. Focus on the raw materials, extraction method, additional ingredients, and lab testing. Ultimately, lab testing is the most important parameter as it reveals the potency and purity levels and the presence of contaminants such as heavy metals or pesticides.

Don’t Overdo It

Whether you use hemp or CBD oil for cooking, you need not overdo things. You will have to keep the amounts lowest when dealing with CBD oil since they harbor high amounts of CBD, especially when using isolate-based formulated oils. This will prevent the side effects associated with overdosing, including extreme anxiety, increased blood pressure, and chest pains.

Use Base Oils

CBD oils go well with base oils such as MCT coconut or olive oils. This is why most brands use MCT oil as the base carrier for maximum bioavailability. You can also use these base oils at home alongside your favorite CBD or hemp oil to allow the oils for rapid effectiveness. These carrier oils blend well and easily with CBD and hemp oils.

Conclusion

Hemp oil and CBD oil make good cooking oils. Therefore, knowing the main tricks and hacks for cooking with them will help you capitalize on their benefits. This article highlights important tips when using hemp or CBD oil in cooking, including keeping the amounts low, measuring ingredients that result in small portions, going slow on heat, blending additives well, and using coconut or virgin oils as base carriers to enhance bioavailability.