Have you ever wondered why your homemade edibles failed to get you high at some point in time, or perhaps you're about to begin making cannabis-infused treats for the first time, and you're in search of information to ensure edibles come out perfectly. We have just one piece of advice for you—Toast that cannabis!
To toast your weed means to decarboxylate it. If you're a keen observer, you will notice that people do not eat fresh or dried cannabis buds until they have been heated. This heating process is what is known as decarboxylation.
Introduction to decarboxylation
Cannabis decarboxylation is the process of activating cannabinoids in a cannabis plant. It involves transforming sticky cannabis buds from their inactive non-psychoactive state to a mind-altering therapeutic state. Without the decarboxylation process, cannabis plants cannot deliver their highly admired effects or buzz.
The chemistry behind decarboxylation is that the process removes a carboxyl (acid) group from one of its fatty molecules. This removal causes the herb to be activated. It breaks down the locked-up components of the cannabis resin from individual fatty acids, causing them to be more potent and therapeutic.
Cannabinoids like THC and CBD are naturally present in their dormant state known as THCA and CBDA, respectively. Even if you find any psychoactive substance in fresh cannabis plants, they appear in trace amounts—not enough to yield any substantial psychoactive effect. All trichome-rich flowers are rich in the acidic form of THC, which is THCA.
Drying or curing fresh plants for a certain amount of time after harvest is not enough to fully break down the THC acid. Sure the THCA loses some of its chemical bonds, but a higher percentage remains unbroken. The longer you wait, the more THCA that would gradually lose its chemical bond. However, it doesn't make sense to wait when you could speed up the process.
The process of decarboxylation or decarbing requires heat. This can be done by smoking or vaporizing the buds. For edibles, you must first heat the herb to convert THCA to its psychoactive relative. This is one of the reasons why tokers prefer to smoke or vape their cannabis plant. Without decarbing your herbs or concentrates, you cannot create potent or effective edibles.
The Right Time to Toast Your Cannabis
Decarboxylate your weed when you're prepared to make cannabis-infused oils, foods, drinks, and tinctures. You must activate your herbs or concentrates before including them in your ingredients.
It is worth noting that not everyone prefers the psychoactive nature of THC. They'd instead tap into the available therapeutic potential of non-active cannabinoids. As you may have guessed already, there are some benefits to keeping cannabis raw. But these benefits are yet to be investigated thoroughly.
THCA found in uncured or unheated cannabis possesses an anti-inflammatory and anti-nausea quality. This hypothesis was suggested by an early research team. However, no human trials have been conducted yet.
Most medical cannabis patients use fresh cannabis and smoothies to enjoy the therapeutic effects of inactive cannabinoid acids.
Does CBD need to be toasted?
Yes, all cannabinoid acids are less bioavailable than their activated counterparts. All CBD-based products are made with decarboxylated CBD, including the drugs, tinctures, and infused oils sold in physical and online stores.
The isolated CBDA crystalline, a refined CBD extraction, is frequently the exception. When heated through baking, dabbing, vaporization, or smoking, CBDA crystalline will change into CBD as all other cannabinoid acids do. However, those seeking to supplement with the raw extraction might altogether avoid a decarboxylation reaction by letting CBDA crystals dissolve in a warm beverage like coffee or tea.
A complete decarboxylation can occur over extended periods at varying temperatures. Although CBDA crystals can dissolve in a typical cup of coffee, they won't result in a cup full of CBD. The higher the temperature of the coffee, the faster the decarboxylation reaction.
How to Toast Cannabis Like An Expert
As soon as heat is added when smoking or vaping cannabis, decarboxylation takes place. But there are some more procedures to take if you want to decarboxylate before cooking. Don't worry, though. It's simple to decarb in your kitchen! Should you microwave your cannabis like Snoop? That is a different process for THC!
There are different ways of decarbing cannabis, depending on what it is being used for. You can decarb your cannabis flowers, oils, and concentrates to produce cannabutter, infused fatty beverages, and even psychoactive spices for meals.
To toast cannabis flowers
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Preheat your oven to 116°C (approx 240°F)
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Place parchment paper on your baking sheet
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Spread your preferred cannabis strain on the baking sheet. Ensure the flowers are evenly spread.
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Heat the flowers for 35 to 40 minutes. Ensure you stir at intervals.
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As soon as the herbs take on a light brown coloration, take them out.
Note that flower decarboxylation takes your flowers from a rich green to a dark green or golden toast coloration.
To toast cannabis oil
This could be done using hot water or hot oil bath. You must be cautious while doing this to prevent any burns or accidents. You need a small heat proof container for cannabis oil, a spatula or spoon, and a large cooking bath or pot.
Begin by placing your container of cannabis oil inside a large stick pot or oil bath. Then slowly apply heat. Use a thermometer to monitor the temperature and ensure it doesn't exceed 240°F. Remove the container of cannabis oil from the heat when there are no more bubbles on the surface of the oil.
Finally, Tips to Ensure A Perfect Toast
Cannabis decarboxylation is a straightforward process. To get well-toasted cannabis, ensure you get steady heat and stick to the suggested temperature and time.
Too much or too little heat would defeat the purpose of the toasting process. Too much heat would result in a loss of THC, terpenes, and even the oil itself. At the same time, insufficient heat would prevent the process from taking place. If you're scared of applying too much heat, you should toast your flowers or concentrate at medium temperature for a longer period.
Remember that if you do this right, your psychoactive experience is guaranteed.
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