Have you ever wondered why we smoke cannabis and not eat it? Well, it is because if you took a bag of cannabis and ate it raw, you would not feel too much of a difference.
Why is that?
It is a common misunderstanding that cannabis plants are full of CBD and THC. In reality, it is much different.
When plants are still in the ground or freshly harvested, they only contain traces of it. That is why each flower needs to undergo an important process called decarboxylation.
1. What is decarboxylation?
Decarboxylation or “decarbing” is the process of using heat to change the molecule structure of cannabinoids for them to be able to communicate with our neurotransmitters.
Each cannabis plant naturally produces the acidic forms of phytocannabinoids (CBDA, THCA, CBGA, CBNA). That implies that we need to remove an additional carboxyl group (COOH) to convert its acidic form CBDA to the active CBD.
Unlike THCA that becomes psychoactive when converted to THC, CBD is non-psychoactive, and you can buy it in the CBD shop. You can browse from edibles to beauty products since your health can benefit from each one of them.
Now let’s learn how to decarb the flower and why it is crucial to know how to do it.
2. Why decarb your CBD flower?
Before you decide to use your freshly harvested flower to make edibles or other products, make sure to decarb it first.
You cannot get the full effect of CBD unless you decarb it. In that way, you activate their neutral form that has therapeutic benefits. The products you find in the CBD shop have all been decarbed.
According to recent studies, CBD has a positive effect on treating anxiety, insomnia, chronic pain, and addiction. Likewise, raw cannabis that contains CBDA proved to help with mood regulations, vomiting, and nausea.
3. Ways to decarb your CBD flower
There are two ways that cause decarboxylation – heat or time. You can remove an extra carboxyl group (COOH) from the molecule chain in a natural or manual way.
The natural way means that you let the cannabis flower mature over time. To do so, you should expose your CBD flower to sunlight and air. Gradually, decarbing will naturally occur and transform the molecules from the acidic forms (THCA, CBDA) to their neutral forms (THC, CBD).
The manual way is slightly different and offers a variety of ways to do it. When decarbing cannabis manually, you need to use the heat to alter the compounds and cause decarbing. There are many ways to do so.
Smoking and vaporizing instantly decarbs the cannabis due to a high temperature. Also, you can use decarboxylation devices that you can find in the CBD shop. If you want to do it at home, you can use your kitchen utilities.
One of the best ways to do it is by heating it in the oven. If you are worried about the smell, you can visit the CBD shop and pick the ready-made product you need.
Alternatively, you can choose a mason jar or sous vide. In this way, you will be able to decarb your flower and avoid the pungent scent.
4. How to decarb raw CBD flower
The necessary equipment to decarb raw CBD flower at home:
- an oven
- a baking sheet
- aluminum foil
- CBD flower
There are different opinions on what temperature to use when decarbing. Since you can easily overheat the cannabis and destroy the much-desired cannabinoids, always go for low temperatures.
It might take longer, but it will help you better active the CBD and preserve the terpenes. Terpenes are in charge of the smell and flavor.
For this reason, you need to make sure to decarb the flower at the right temperature to preserve both cannabinoids and terpenes.
5. Instructions
Step 1: Preheat the oven
You want to slowly decarb your raw CBD flower at low temperatures. The best temperature to do so is between 230-250°F/110-120 °C. Make sure to place the oven rack in the middle position. In this way, the temperature will be perfectly balanced from both sides.
Step 2: Place the aluminum foil on the baking sheet
If you do this, it will be easier for you to collect and store the CBD flowers after decarbing.
Step 3: Break up/grind the CBD flower
Break up the CBD flower into small pieces. If you prefer, you can use the grinder from the CBD shop to make it even smaller. In this way, you increase the chances they heat up evenly.
Step 4: Cover the tray with an extra layer of a baking sheet
This step is optional, but if you want to make sure nothing goes to waste, cover it with the extra baking sheet. In this way, you will stop any cannabinoids or terpenes that may vaporize in the process.
Step 5: Spread and bake it
When you spread the ground cbd flowers over the tray, try and make a thin layer. After you finish, bake it in the oven. Time depends on the temperature you choose.
If you preheat the oven at 230°F/110°C, then bake it for 40minutes. If you opt for 250°F/120°C, bake it for 25-30 minutes.
Step 6: Remove it from the oven and let it cool
The ground flower should be brownish when the time is up. Remove from the oven and let it cool. You will know that you decarbed it well if the flower is dry when you touch it and if it crumbles between fingers. You can store it in a mason jar and keep it in a dry place.
6. Use
There are amazing ready-made products in the CBD shop, but you can always decide to make a homemade product. The internet is full of DIY recipes on how to make delicious treats or even homemade cannabis salve.
When it comes to edibles, there are two ways to do it – infusing or simply by mixing the flower.
To make CBD-infused butter, you need to simply put butter, CBD, and water in a small pot. Heat it for two hours at a low temperature. When the time is up, let it cool and keep it in your refrigerator. Add it to your recipe when you cook to make tasty edibles such as cookies or brownies.
The other way is to mix the CBD flower by adding it straight to the recipe. This way is much easier than infusing it, but it has a lower absorption rate.
7. Final Thoughts
Decarbing the CBD flower is an important process when looking to make edibles or other cannabis-infused products. This process allows cannabinoids to transform from their acidic to neutral forms. In this way, CBD is released and ready for you to use for healing purposes.
Decarbing is an easy process and, if you follow our step-by-step guide, you will be able to make high-quality products similar to those in the CBD shops. Keep in mind the temperature, the time, and follow the tips for each step.
And more importantly, do not worry! This process should be easy and fun.
Also, don’t forget to let us know have you tried decarbing the CBD flower before or if our text inspired you to do so? If you remember some handy tips that we haven’t mentioned, let us know in the comments section. Click here and visit this site: jiorockers
