‘Relaxing’ homemade fruit tart drizzled with cannabinoids. Photo by Melissa Hutsell.
Taking one’s daily dose of cannabinoids doesn’t have to be a monotonous experience. Instead, consumers can get creative, and add THC or CBD-rich oils to their favorite sweet or savory foods, like salads, dressings or desserts.
I was recently inspired to do just that, and paired a Fruit Tart (details below) with what has become a favorite in my household — Relax Drops by the California-based company, Care by Design. The Relax Drops are from the company’s Effects line, which also includes Focus, Relief and Rest options.
Care by Design creates their Effects drops with sun-grown flower, and GMO-free, vegan ingredients. They developed the Relax Drops specifically to help “soothe occasional stress and promote a sense of serenity,” reads the product packaging.
Care By Design Relax Drops
570 mg of cannabinoids, including 375 mg of CBD
.5 fluid ounces
$40
This is a full-spectrum blend, meaning it contains the plant’s naturally occurring spectrum of compounds, including cannabinoids and terpenes. While it is high in CBD, it also has trace of CBDa, THCa, THC, delta-8-THC, CBC, CBG, CBN and more.
Research suggests that CBG and CBN may have anticonvulsant, anti-inflammatory, and analgesic properties. It may also have the ability to promote sleep, and regulate the immune system, according to Cresco Labs.
CBG might also be an anti-inflammatory. While more research is needed, one study conducted in rats reveals the cannabinoid may help ease conditions like arthritis, while another study suggests it can help treat inflammatory bowel diseases.
Aside from cannabinoids, the Relax Drops contain linalool, Myrcene and Caryophyllene. These terpenes, according to Leafly, can promote relaxation.
Altogether, the formula results in a really flavorful sublingual. It tastes sweet — fruity, floral, and citrusy. This tincture does not have much of a bitter, herbal aftertaste like most others I’ve tried.
The Effects
Cannabinoids like CBD affect everyone differently. For me, CBD is uplifting. It feels like caffeine in the sense that it provides an energy boost (more for my mind rather than my whole body). Mainly, it helps ease brain fog or symptoms of anxiety/stress.
Within 10 minutes of taking the Relax Drops, I felt less anxious, and in a better mood. Rather than tired or sleepy, the effects were soothing — spot on with Care by Designs intentions of promoting serenity. However, I often feel a little drowsy a few hours after taking it. This makes it a
Test Results
The drops taste like dessert, so I decided to add it to one. But, before hopping into the recipe, it is important to consider test results to ensure it contains the advertised amount of cannabinoids.
According to the product packaging, the Relax Drops have 570 mg of cannabinoids in total. This includes 375 mg of CBD, and 22.5 mg of THC per bottle.
Test results confirm that the Relax Drops actually contain 601 mg of cannabinoids total. More specifically, it contains nearly 387 mg of CBD and 23.5 mg THC per bottle. That’s just over a 5% difference for CBD content, and less for THC.
Experts suggest that products (cannabis or not) should contain a margin of +/-10% of what is labeled on the package. If it falls within 10%, it earns an “A” for accuracy. Care by Design’s Relax Drops would earn an A overall for accuracy.
For Dessert
I stumbled upon Care by Design’s Red Fruit Tart recipe on the company’s Instagram page, and felt inspired to recreate it. Like the tincture, the recipe is vegan, and gluten free.
Post from @carebydesign on Instagram.
Any type of fruit can be used. I used fresh strawberries and peaches, which made a great pairing with the cream, crust, and especially the tincture. Overall, the crust was very flavorful; it was nutty and almost buttery.
Fruit Tart
Recipe by Annie Trimber for Care by Design
Makes 10 servings
Start-to-finish: about 45 minutes to 1 hour
Crust:
2 cups + 2 tablespoons Almond Flour
1/4cup + 2 tablespoons coconut flour
1/4 teaspoon sea salt
3 tablespoons maple syrup
3-4 tablespoons coconut oil
Filling:
2 cups fruit
1-2 tablespoons maple syrup
2 13.5 ounce cans coconut cream, refrigerated overnight*
honey or maple syrup for topping
About one dropper full of tincture
*may be substituted for most of a pint of heavy whipping cream.
Heat oven to 350 degrees. In a medium-sized bowl, mix almond flour, coconut flour, and sea salt. Then, add maple syrup and coconut oil. Mix well with hands. If dry, add more coconut oil.
Transfer to tart pan, and press mixture into pan with hands. Use a fork to poke holes in the crust. For those without a tart pan, line a pie dish with parchment paper. Then, bake for 15-20 minutes, until golden brown.
While the crust is baking, clean and slice fruit. Place in the fridge. Then, begin making the cream. I used heavy whipping cream, about 3/4of a pint, and whipped it with an electric mixer. (Pro tip — chill bowl and whisk beforehand to speed up the process). Once complete, place in the fridge.
After the crust is done baking, let cool or chill. Then, top the crust with the cream, and place fruit on top before drizzling with maple syrup or honey, and finally, the Relax Drops.
The Final Verdict
I really enjoyed the flavor of the sublingual and its effects. Altogether, I felt the Relax Drop delivered on the serenity that the company suggests it will. Additionally — the product’s test results proved it was accurately labeled.
In terms of price point, it’s average, even affordable, compared to others on the market.
The Relax Drops are great on their own, but even better on the tart. Overall, I loved that Care by Design offers such recipes. With a dash of Relax Drops in each bite, it brings new meaning to comfort food, and more potential to get creative.
Leave a Reply