Being stuck at home has turned many of us into amateur bakers and kitchen aficionados. Who knew a loaf of sourdough bread could turn into such a delicious science experiment? If you’ve cooked, pickled and preserved everything in your pantry, you might be curious about trying a new culinary frontier: cooking with cannabis!
The world of cannabis-infused edibles is seemingly limitless; if you can eat it, chances are someone has made a THC or CBD-infused version of it. We’ve come across everything from ice cream and hot sauce (really!) to poptarts and ready-made pizzas. Many patients prefer a smoke-free method of medicating with cannabis, and edibles can provide safe, measurable and long-lasting effects. At Storehouse we carry a huge selection of tried-and-true products for every type of patient. But if you’ve got time, patience, an oven, some butter and a jar of buds, you too can try your hand at making edibles at home! We’ll break down the essential process and show you a simple CannButter recipe to get you started.
Step 1: Decarboxylation
Raw cannabis flower needs to be heated in order to turn the THC-acids into bioavailable cannabinoids. This process is called decarboxylation; it also allows for the lipid-soluble cannabinoids to bind to dietary fats and oils in order to create a proper infusion. To do this, set your oven to 220°F, grind a desired amount of flower (we recommend starting with ¼ oz) and spread it evenly on a glass baking dish. Older buds will require less time (about 25 minutes) while fresher, high-grade buds will need about 45 minutes. Check on it every 10 minutes and gently mix it; you’ll notice the color change from bright green to deep brown. That’s when you’ll know it has been decarboxylated.
Step 2: Stovetop Infusion
Now that you have decarboxylated buds, they can be infused into butter, coconut oil, or any fat/oil of your choice. You’ll need a saucepan, a spoon, 2 cups of water, 2 sticks of butter (8 oz) and several hours – this is where patience comes in! On the lowest heat setting, stir the water and butter together until the butter melts. Add the decarbed buds, stir again, and cover the saucepan with a lid. Let the mixture gently simmer for 4 hours and check frequently. The water will keep the temperature down and prevent the butter from burning, which is important: THC starts to degrade at around 250° degrees Fahrenheit. If you have a kitchen thermometer, check your mixture to make sure the temperature doesn’t reach above 180°.
Step 3: Strain and Store
After 4 hours has passed, your cannabis-infused butter is ready to go! Use a cheesecloth (or any cotton fabric) to strain the mixture into a container. Place it in the fridge until the mixture has cooled and separated; a solid puck of infused butter will rest on top of the greenish water, which can be discarded. Some folks like to heat and strain it one more time to further clarify the butter, but this last step is optional. You now have 8 ounces of quality “CannaButter” to cook with, bake with, and enjoy! It can be stored in a well-sealed mason jar in the fridge for up to 6 months.
VERY IMPORTANT: How to dose your CannaButter
Unless you have professional testing equipment, it is nearly impossible to determine exact dosing for your infused butter. Think of all the variables at play: each strain of flower has a unique profile, every cook has a unique way of stirring the mixture; each patient has a unique metabolism and tolerance. Consuming an edible on an empty stomach or a full one will produce very different results. In short, trial-and-error is an essential part of determining the perfect dose for you. We recommend starting small and slow: measure 1 teaspoon of CannaButter (spread onto toast, perhaps) and wait one full hour to feel the effects. Increase by ½ teaspoon, or wait 24 hours to start anew with a higher dose. Once you determine the right amount, you can begin adding CannaButter to all sorts of sweet and savory recipes. Stay tuned, and we’ll share some of our favorites next week!