As the CBD industry continues to boom, many newcomers refrain from jumping on the bandwagon, mostly skeptical about what CBD tastes like.
YES! One of the most common queries include:
What Is The Actual Taste Of CBD?
It is normal to wonder about all possibilities, especially if you are a first-timer. Many people assume the taste to be like dirt or unpleasant due to the strong and skunky smell of Cannabis, often believing it unimaginable to swallow. When it comes to consuming any supplement, there are always mixed views and feelings, including CBD.
The choice of products selected and whether your taste buds can tolerate rich skunky flavors of earth plays a huge role in the taste of CBD. Although we all have different preferences, it is important to bear in mind that the ultimate purpose of food supplements like CBD is not to satisfy your taste buds; it’s to provide therapeutic benefits.
For all those skeptics wondering if consuming CBD tastes like bitter medicines or is hard to swallow, then this article is especially for you! We will also highlight ways to hack the natural, earthy flavor of CBD to convince you not to revert your decision.
What Does CBD Taste Like?
This question is subjective based on general taste reviews; CBD has a rich earthy, grassy-like and nutty taste. In crux, it tastes like nature, unlike THC, which causes the off-flavor. CBD-rich oils will taste like hemp.
However, our taste palette and view vary from person to person. There are several things to keep in mind that can alter the flavor of CBD.
[Note: If your CBD Oil causes you any burning sensation, then leave the product immediately.]
How Is CBD Extracted?
Cannabidiol or CBD is a naturally occurring compound derived from the Cannabis (hemp) plant. The 2018 Farm Bill legalized industrial labor hemp and thus CBD products having less than 0.3% of THC (psychoactive compound) is legal.
The most prominent flavor of CBD depends on how it is extracted. CBD is extracted from numerous parts of the Cannabis plant, involving various steps and processes. The extraction process includes (the use of) CO2, Alcohol (Ethanol), Acetone, Carrier Oils, and Steam, etc.
[Note: Some impurities can be leftover in the manufacturing process, affecting the quality (taste) of CBD.]
What Are Terpenes?
Terpenes are organic compounds found in various plants, including conifers and especially Cannabis. They have a strong and distinctive odor. They are often used for medical purposes. Terpenes are linked to psychoactive modulations on the body, the cause, and the entourage effect.
Read further: What is the role of Cannabis Terpenes?
Types Of CBD Extracts
There are three major categories of CBD extracts mainly:
Full-Spectrum CBD
A Full-spectrum comprises all of the naturally occurring compounds (CBD, Terpenes, Flavonoids, THC, etc.) in the plant. Full-spectrum CBD extracts are usually driven from subspecies of Marijuana. A Full-spectrum hemp-derived CBD product has less than 0.3%THC.
Full-spectrum CBD products are available on the market and usually range from oils, serums, and lotions, to even edibles. Full-spectrum is dense, less processed/heated, and tends to have the strongest taste due to a medley of natural compounds.
CBD Isolate
An isolate is the purest and cheapest form of available CBD. It is not composed of the additional plant compounds (i.e., other Cannabinoids, Terpenes, Flavonoids, etc.). In most cases, it is derived from the Hemp plants making their products THC-free.
CBD isolate products do have THC in them, and this can lead to the “entourage effect.” According to this, it’s the effect describing all the Cannabis compounds that unanimously work together and provide greater health benefits (due to THC presence). It generally has little to no taste unless combined with additional flavors.
Broad-Spectrum CBD
Similarly, Broad-spectrum products are hybrids. This means they are partially composed of Full Spectrum and partially of Isolate. It has multiple additional Cannabinoid compounds like other Cannabinoids (e.g. CBN) and Terpenes etc. Thus, it’s similar to both the Full Spectrum CBD and CBD Isolate (THC free).
Due to the presence of these multiple Cannabinoids, it can also deliver the “entourage effect,” minus the psychoactive effects due to THC. Due to the absence of THC, this type of CBD Oil extract will differ in taste from full-spectrum. Most CBD gummies are broad-spectrum products as they taste nothing like dirt or grass.
After the extraction process, CBD and other Cannabinoids are combined with carrier oils (e.g., MCT of Hemp seed oil) or manufactured into various products, including edibles, teas, gummies, etc.
Will It Get You High?
CBD is safe and non-intoxicating. However, despite the decriminalized status of CBD, this can get confusing. Unlike its cousin THC, CBD does not possess psychoactive properties. However, you will carefully get to know once you start to administer the product you have chosen more clearly after a considerable amount of time. If you are worried about CBD showing up in your drug tests, then we’d suggest you read about Full-Spectrum CBD in more detail.
Important Tips On Hacking The Taste Of CBD
Yes, yes, yes! We know that everyone has a unique taste palette, and we all have our preferences. If you are a newbie who is hesitant to try CBD for its skunky smell/taste or even a regular user who is tired of the monotony in flavors, then here are foolproof ways to mask the taste of CBD:
If you can’t stand the funky taste of CBD and are consuming Oils for relief, then we’d strongly advise you to apply topical or lotions onto the area of injury for relief as an alternative or use Delta 8 CBD blunt.
[Note: The fastest way to consume CBD is via putting a drop under the tongue. Many people can also resent the taste via this method.]
Add Mints To Refresh Your Taste Buds
Usually, CBD Oils are placed under the tongue and held for around 60-90 seconds, then swallowed for full effects. However, many people get uncomfortable. Hence, we suggest you suck mints or chew minty flavored gums and sublingually take your CBD Oils. This acts as camouflage and lets your taste buds indulge in the freshness of minty treats.
Hop-On The CBD Gummies Or Capsules Express
If you aren’t a fan of Oils and hate something sticking to the bottom of your tongue, then we’d suggest you start taking capsules or chewing gummies. CBD Gummies come in a variety of flavors to choose from. Consuming gummies or capsules are a great way to mask the taste of Hemp. Please bear in mind that every tablet has a specific dosage and causes camouflage inconsistency in your doses.
Read: 5 Top CBD Gummies
Breathe It All In
If you are a smoker, then inhalers and vapes are found in the market and. Please sit back, inhale and let the CBD kick into your lungs and the richness diffuse into your bloodstream.
Blend It Into Your Favourite Beverages
To avoid the funky taste of CBD lingering on your tongue, then chase it down with something acidic like lemon or orange juice. This will replace the intense earthy flavors with citric notes of your choice.
CBD can also be infused with several teas, coffees, smoothies or juices, etc. So if you want that Iced-Tea or a hot cup of cocoa, then blend in your CBD Oil and chillax! Carry your liquid refreshment anywhere to the gym, work, or even to a picnic in the park.
Brush Your Teeth
Dental hygiene is very important; however, it is equally important to know that it’s a viable option that aids the ingestion process of CBD. Using toothpaste is a great hack to mask the CBD flavor as it not only cleans your mouth to absorb less oil and provides a refreshing taste.
Like brushing twice a day is part of everyone’s regime, brushing before putting in should be a part of every CBD consumer’s regime as well.
Purchase High-Quality CBD
Naturally, CBD is slightly bitter. However, the bitterness might not always be due to CBD; it can also be due to a green pigment called chlorophyll. Hemp oils usually contain a substantial level of chlorophyll that can add bitterness to the Oil than CBD itself. Though consuming chlorophyll isn’t going to kill you; however, do keep in mind that high levels of chlorophyll indicate that inferior CBD extraction methods have been used.
Just keep in mind any oil with a dense green color (more than a usual shade of green) is a low-quality oil as it has too much chlorophyll. We advise you always to do your product research, look for third-party lab results, and buy from trusted vendors.
Read: Shopping CBD Oil Nea Me vs. CBD Online
Choose Your Carrier Oils Wisely
CBD Products are always combined with certain food-grade carrier oils to increase absorption. Another edge of using a carrier oil is that it overpowers the flavor of CBD Oil. The most common carrier oils include:
Hemp Seed Oil
- Nutty Flavour
- Great for dressings and dips
- Not recommended to individuals desiring a sweet and subtle flavor
Coconut Oil
- Refined coconut oil has a neutral flavor
- The natural earthy flavor of CBD overpowers the taste
MCT Oil
- Tasteless
- Recommended for individuals wanting to enjoy the natural tones of CBD combined with minty and citrus varieties.
Olive Oil
- Rich earthy flavor
- It can be overwhelming when combined with CBD in lower concentrations.
The Bottom Line
With the craze for consuming CBD products surging every nanosecond, there is an unfortunate reality that many have to tolerate or strive to mask their tastes.
A popular yet simple hack also includes getting used to the taste. But why settle for that?
With adequate knowledge now of what to expect in terms of smell and taste from CBD, you will be in a better position to pick a product that best suits you. We strongly encourage the first-timers to try various products of different forms and brands of CBD before making the ultimate judgment.
So, what are you waiting for? Head out there and indulge your taste buds in both flavored and non-flavored CBD options!
Author
