In the age of recreational legalization, cooking cannabis recipes has become more common than ever before. We have ample access to the ingredients needed to craft a massive variety of edibles, and the internet provides all of the info we need to make delicious recipes a reality. However, cooking with cannabis is sometimes easier said than done. Before diving into the world of infused concoctions, here are a few common mistakes that any would-be edible chef would do well to avoid.
How to Properly Cook with Cannabis
When cooking with cannabis, many consumers are eager to jump in head-first. The process of infusing foods, however, contains steps that are unique to cooking cannabis recipes. For example, while consumers may be tempted to simply grind their cannabis and mix it into their sauce or batter, this impulsiveness can lead to edibles with overbearing cannabis flavor and muted psychoactive effects. Before attempting to cook with cannabis, the astute edible chef should always take care to decarboxylate their cannabis first.
Decarboxylation is the process of “activating” components within the cannabis plant, like THC, that are responsible for its potent mind-altering qualities. These chemical compounds, known as cannabinoids, become far more effective once superheated. To decarboxylate your cannabis for cooking, you will first want to grind your cannabis into a fine form, but not so fine as to become a powder. Spread your cannabis across a baking sheet and bake for around 30 minutes at a temperature of 250 degrees. Your cannabis should then be in the perfect condition for cooking.
Common Mistakes When Cooking Cannabis Recipes
Even experienced edible connoisseurs can make mistakes when cooking cannabis recipes. One of the most common mistakes, as previously alluded to, is grinding cannabis into a powdery substance when preparing it as an ingredient. While it seems logical that dust-like cannabis would be ideal for infusing recipes, more often than not the result is a heavy cannabis flavor that permeates the entire meal. When using ground cannabis, recipes like cannabis oil are typically strained to remove overbearing leftover flower material.
Likewise, when cooking with cannabis oil, novice edible chefs have a tendency to use too much in their recipe. While the amount of oil employed depends largely on its potency, precautions should always be taken to ensure your dose of THC won’t be too much to handle. Before cooking with large amounts of oil, test it first with a smaller recipe to gauge its effects.
Finally, one of the most important aspects of cooking cannabis recipes is maintaining an even distribution of cannabis in your recipe. Oftentimes when a recipe calls for cannabis to be applied to a mixture, consumers do not stir vigorously enough, leaving behind clumps of cannabis that can make for unsavory eating. When cooking with cannabis, always ensure your ground cannabis or cannabis oil is equally distributed throughout your recipe.
Of course, you can be sure you’ve got a great edible by grabbing some pre-baked goodies at your local Have a Heart. And if you don’t want to experiment with making cannabutter or your own treats, make sure to grab some premium bud while you’re at it! Find your nearest location below!
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