Cannabis and food have similar characteristics that make it easy to pair and infuse delicious dishes. Photo by ira_evva.
These days, cannabis-infused food is considered a culinary art. Blogs, cannabis cooking experiences, and a boom in general cannabis research are making this creative endeavor more accessible than ever.
The possibilities for cannabis and food pairings are proving to be endless. Chefs pair strains’ terpene profiles with beautiful plates of food. People who use cannabis for its healing properties curate foods that provide benefits without the high. Strains of cannabis are becoming regarded similarly to wine by increased consideration of how growing conditions are impacting potency, aromas, and flavors.
But ultimately, it doesn’t take an expert to infuse food with cannabis. It can be as simple as adding a THC oil tincture to a cake mix or salad dressing. With basic knowledge, the world of cannabis-food pairings and edibles is quite approachable.
What to Know Before Infusing Food With Cannabis
The most important thing to know when cooking with cannabis is the dosage. Dispensary labels provide extensive information including THC percentage, strain, ingredients list, test results and more. Looking at the THC percentage can show how strong the product is, while the ingredients list or test results provides information about what kind of terpenes and flavonoids are in the strain; both of these determine what flavors, aromas, and effects to expect.
In an interview with Emerald, culinary cannabis expert and owner of creative media company, Fruit + Flower Co., Christina Wong, explains, “An oil or alcohol-based tincture is the easiest way to start. If you are able to buy one from a dispensary that’s already dosed and you know exactly how much is in that dropper, those are a great way to start and learn dosing.”
Those taking it a step further make cannabutter. Using cannabis flower, butter, an oven, and a strainer, this process starts with decarboxylation. Toasting the flower and removing the CO2 alters THCA to delta-9 THC, which is the compound that provides the high.
“When you toast it, that makes a chemical reaction where it changes the THCA. […] By just eating a nug, you’ll get THCA and you’ll get the benefits but you won’t feel the high. So if you want to feel high you have to do this decarb step,” Wong clarifies.
In a nutshell, ground cannabis will sit in the oven at 240 degrees Fahrenheit for about 30 minutes until toasted. Then, add the melted butter onto the same baking sheet and lower the oven to 170 degrees as the butter infuses for about 90 minutes. One can also complete this process on the stovetop. To do so, add the toasted cannabis into a pot with butter, using a thermometer to monitor the temperature. When the cannabutter comes out of the oven (or stovetop), the final step is to strain it using cheesecloth to remove plant matter and for a smooth texture.
Wong also adds that buying a gram scale and using an online cannabis dosing calculator is a simple way to ensure conscious consumption.
Terpenes for Taste and Desired Effects
Like anything paired with food, the flavor profiles should make sense together. Although infusing works the same regardless of the strain used, using high-terpene cannabis significantly enhances how the dish comes together.
Naturally occurring in cannabis and various fruits and herbs, terpenes add aromas, flavors, and effects to plants. For example, limonene is a terpene that offers an uplifting feeling and adds citrus notes to the nose and palate of cannabis flower. This chemical compound also exists in lemons, oranges, limes, grapefruits, and more.
A study in the Molecules journal explains, “Some terpenes can enhance the effect of cannabinoids and synergize the feeling of relaxation, stress relief, energy boost, and maintaining focus along with their underlying pharmaceutical functions.”
A key ingredient to pairing food with cannabis, Wong deems terpenes as the first thing she looks for on a label. Wong explains, “The closer [the amount of terpenes] is to that 2% to 4%, the stronger the nose and the more pungent smell of those perfectly ripe fruits where you’ll have the most aromas.”
Other terpenes—like myrcene, which gives a hoppy and herbaceous flavor, and linalool, which gives a floral, sweet and spicy flavor—have relaxating and anti-anxiety properties. However, it’s important to note that the effects of terpenes present differently in everybody.
Hosting Cannabis-Infused Food and Pairing Events
Terpenes are also an excellent way to set the mood when hosting cannabis-infused food and pairing events. For example, one may use a limonene heavy strain in the first courses to stimulate guests with its uplifting effects. Whereas, linalool may be used towards the end of the meal to promote relaxation as people head home.
Wong explains, “If I’m making a fish type dish or a chicken or a pesto, those limonene lemon citrus-type strains will go well. Desserts go well with strains with linalool and some of those heavier sedating strains that might smell a bit floral like lavender.”
The cannabis culinary specialist also notes that many of her events feature cannabis-food pairings rather than cannabis-infused food. Wong recommends taking a dry hit of a joint without lighting it. This way guests can taste the strains’ flavor profile before enjoying the cannabis and food pairings.
Ultimately, the first priority when hosting is to ensure guests are not consuming more than they can handle. “If I’m hosting an event or a party, my food is not always infused,” Wond says. “I will opt for sauces on the side that are very low dose for people to drizzle and add their own infusions if they wish and those are clearly labeled.”
This philosophy highlights how the overall guest experience is just as important as the food itself. From an infused chimichurri for steak to infused olive oil for salad dressing, there are many delicious methods to ensure everyone consumes at their own discretion. Likened to how a DJ uses music to enhance the vibes, cannabis is becoming a popular way to curate a tasty and intuitive social experience.
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