The practice of infusing CBD into food and drinks is continuing to increase in popularity. We have lots of recipes on our blog for you to explore, ranging from breakfasts and snacks to soups and cocktails. Aside from following these specific recipes, there are plenty of ways to infuse CBD into your usual diet, including your favourite meals, snacks, and beverages. Utilising these options can help make CBD an even more seamless part of your daily routine. This article covers how CBD infusions work, special considerations to make for different types of infusions, as well as eight simple ways to infuse CBD into your usual diet.
How does infusing CBD work?
Infusing something simply means to incorporate one constituent into another to combine them, whether that’s for flavour, beneficial properties, or any other reason. For example, many teas are described as infusions, as the ingredients in the tea bag infuse into hot water.
So, infusing something with CBD means incorporating it into a base that compliments its chemical makeup. For example, CBD oils are fat soluble and therefore mix better with other oils and ingredients which are also fat soluble. Similarly water-soluble CBD mixes better with liquids and ingredients that are water-based. Completing the infusion is as simple as thoroughly mixing the appropriate form of CBD with the base ingredient.
What to consider when infusing CBD
In addition to considering the best type of CBD to use (fat soluble or water soluble) for infusions into different ingredients, there are some other key factors to consider.
Temperature
CBD can become less potent when exposed to extreme temperatures. This is especially true of CBD oils, as water soluble CBD is compatible with hot and cold beverages, and may therefore be able to withstand higher and lower temperatures than its oil counterpart. However, this may not be the case in particularly extreme temperatures, especially when exposed for long periods.
If you’re keeping things room temperature or your cooking temperatures aren’t too hot (i.e. 180C or below), both oils and water soluble CBD should still retain most if not all of their potency. That being said, we advise that where possible, you try to use your CBD infused ingredients as a finishing touch.
Dose
Another incredibly important consideration is the dose of CBD you infuse into different ingredients. For example, if you’re adding an infusion to something like a bottle of maple syrup that you’ll only use a small amount of each time, you may want to add a larger amount of CBD. However, if you choose to just infuse the amount of maple syrup you intend to use in a specific recipe, the amount of CBD you use would be much lower.
When working out these measurements, it’s also key to keep your ideal daily dose in mind. Everyone has their own sweet spot with CBD, which is why we aren’t providing specific measurements. A dose of CBD that is too much for one person may not be nearly enough for another, and vice versa. So, make sure to consider how much CBD you’re using outside of your infusions in a day and how much you want your infusions to contribute to your overall daily dose.
Simple CBD infusion ideas
Here are eight easy ways you can infuse CBD into your regular diet, so you can get your daily dose into your system without even having to think about it. Whichever option you choose, be sure to mix it thoroughly so the CBD content is evenly distributed.
1. Condiments
Infusing CBD into your condiments is a great way to include CBD in the finishing touches of your meal. This also helps avoid extreme temperatures, meaning the CBD will remain as potent as it would be when used traditionally. Condiments you could choose to infuse with CBD include:
- Salad dressings
- Staples like ketchup, mayonnaise, brown sauce, and relish
- Hot sauce
- Soy sauce
- Aioli
- Tahini and condiments containing it, like hummus
- Pesto
- Fish and oyster sauces
This list is by no means exhaustive, but it gives you an idea of the range of different dishes that you could infuse CBD into simply by adding it to a condiment. To infuse it, the first step is to work out whether the sauce is oil or water-based. This helps you decide the best type of CBD to infuse it with. For example, mayonnaise is oil based, and would therefore be most compatible with CBD oil. In contrast, soy sauce is water based, and would therefore call for water-soluble CBD as its most compatible infusion option.
Simply add the amount that suits your dose and stir until combined, whether that’s a bulk amount to an entire bottle or a single dose into a single serving. Then, all that’s left to do is enjoy it as part of a delicious meal.
2. Drinks
CBD-infused drinks are an incredibly popular way for people to get their dose of CBD, especially those who aren’t fans of the taste of CBD oil. If this sounds like you, trying out some CBD-infused beverages is a great option. Our water soluble CBD is suitable for both hot and cold drinks, and can be included in a wide variety of beverages, including:
- Water
- Tea (iced or hot, including specialty teas and those that contain milk)
- Coffee (iced or hot, including specialty coffees like lattes)
- Juice
- Cocktails
- Mocktails
- Wine
- Soft drinks
- Smoothies
Again, this list is not exhaustive, and the type of drinks you infuse with CBD depend on your preferences and lifestyle. Infusing them is as simple as adding your desired dose of water-soluble CBD and stirring to ensure it’s combined with the liquid. The great thing about this option is that water soluble CBD offers high bioavailability. Plus, you’re hydrating while taking your dose, which is important regardless of the type of CBD you use or how you ingest it.
3. Cooking oils
Another CBD infusion option with versatile usage is cooking oils. As oils are of course fat soluble, they pair best with infusions of CBD oil. Therefore, temperature does need to be a consideration for this one. Due to this, people typically infuse CBD into oils that are incorporated at later stages of a meal. For example, the last drizzle of oil on top of a cooked meal. However, cooking with CBD infused oil won’t completely remove all of its beneficial compounds, their potency is just likely to reduce when exposed to extreme heat. Here are some of the oils that many CBD users choose to infuse:
- Olive oil
- Sunflower oil
- Sesame oil
- Rapeseed oil
- Peanut oil
- Coconut oil
- Vegetable oil
- Avocado oil
You can either choose to add a bulk quantity of CBD oil to the entire container of your chosen oil, or simply add a single dose for a single portion. Either way, make sure to keep your overall dose in mind and stir well once you add your desired quantity of CBD oil. Additionally, if you intend to cook with CBD oil at high heat, you may want to use slightly more than you would if you’re keeping the oil infusion at room temperature, due to the drop in potency.
4. Baked goods
Who doesn’t love baked goods? With a CBD infusion, they become even more irresistible. Baked goods with beneficial compounds… sign us up! The way you incorporate CBD and the type you use depends on the recipe and which component you’d like to add it to. As mentioned, adding CBD in the oven stage may make it less potent, but is still a viable option. However, some people like to add it to finishing touches, such as the frosting on a cake or the icing on a banana loaf. Here are some delicious baked goods you could infuse CBD into:
- Cupcakes
- Muffins
- Loaves, like pumpkin or banana
- Cookies
- Brownies
- Cakes
- Croissants
- Breads
- Pastries
- Tarts
Make sure to check the recipe when deciding which type of CBD to infuse with. Some recipes have both water-based and oil-based components, in which case it’s up to your preference and which option makes most sense. For example, a water-based element may not need to be cooked at high heat, so you may choose this for higher potency, or vice versa. Another consideration is the size of the baked goods you’re making. If you’re making a large loaf or cake, you’ll want a larger quantity of CBD as it will be split into multiple portions. If you’re making individual muffins or cupcakes, it may be easier to add a single dose to each one. Either way, it’s important that the CBD is mixed properly to ensure an even infusion.
5. Pasta sauces
Pasta is a staple dish in most households due to its versatility. The types of delicious pasta sauces you could infuse CBD into are endless, but some popular options include:
- Pomodoro
- Carbonara
- Pesto
- Alfredo
- Bolognese
- Marinara
- Arrabbiata
- Garlic butter
- White wine sauce (ie those commonly used on seafood pasta dishes)
- Cacio e Pepe
As is the case with other options on this list, the best type of CBD to use depends on the ingredients in the pasta sauce. It’s advisable to add the CBD infusion near the end of the cooking process or as a finishing touch for the meal to ensure it stays as potent as possible.
If everyone eating the meal would like a dose of CBD, you may want to add it to the entire batch of sauce. Alternatively, you could simply add a single dose to your own portion of pasta. Make sure to give it a good stir to make sure it’s mixed evenly throughout the sauce, especially if you’re adding it to a larger batch for multiple people to enjoy.
6. Syrups
Syrups are a versatile ingredient used in both food and drinks. For example, you may add maple syrup to sweet treats or even some savoury dishes. Or, you may add a vanilla syrup to your morning coffee for a kick of sweetness. Here are some popular syrups you may want to infuse with CBD:
- Agave syrup
- Hazelnut syrup
- Golden syrup
- Rice syrup
- Date syrup
- Fruit syrup
- Vanilla syrup
- Maple syrup
- Gingerbread syrup
As syrups are typically water-based, water-soluble CBD is the best option for infusing them. It’s up to you whether you want to include your CBD infusion in a full batch of syrup or add it manually to each portion you use. This can also depend on if there are other people in your home who use the syrup who would prefer it with or without the CBD infusion. Either way, make sure to keep your dose in mind when adding your infusion and stir it well to ensure it combines evenly with the syrup.
7. Healthy snacks
Snacking is something we all do, and trying to find healthy snack options is always a good idea. This helps avoid harmful processed ingredients and can instead provide extra nutrition and energy throughout the day. Making your healthy snacks at home is the best way to ensure this, as you can control which ingredients you use, as well as their quantities. There are lots of different types of healthy snacks you can make at home, both sweet and savoury, including:
- Popcorn
- Granola bars
- Kale chips
- Coconut energy balls
- Different types of hummus to eat with chopped veggies and/or pitta bread
- Guacamole
- Oat bars of varying flavours
- Roasted chickpeas
- Fruit salad
- Apple chips
The ingredients in your homemade snack will determine which type of CBD you should use, and at which stage. However, it’s worth noting that most of the snacks listed here contain some form of oil. For example, you may want to add some oil to your popcorn, so infusing it with CBD and adding it as a finishing touch is a great option. Whichever snack you choose, make sure the CBD dose you include fits within your daily limits and is mixed thoroughly with the other ingredients.
8. Soups
Soups are equally delicious and nutritious, while also being one of the most versatile meals. When infused with CBD, they become even more beneficial. You can include any of your favourite veggies and proteins to create delicious, one of a kind soups, or follow more classic recipes that are known for their tasty flavour profiles. Some popular options that you could choose to infuse with CBD include:
- Butternut squash soup
- Pumpkin soup
- Tomato soup
- Broccoli cheddar soup
- Minestrone soup
- Chicken and/or vegetable noodle soup
- Pho
- Pea and ham soup
- Mushroom soup
- French onion soup
- Seafood bisques
- Lentil soup
Any of these options make delicious warming meals and can include some or all of your daily dose of CBD. Most soups contain a water based broth, making water soluble CBD the best option. However, if you would prefer to add your CBD to an oil based component, such as a CBD-infused olive oil drizzle as a finishing touch, CBD oil would be a better option.
As is the case with other options on this list, it’s up to you whether you want to add a larger amount of CBD to the full batch of soup or a single dose to your portion. This can also depend on how many people you’re cooking for and who among them wants a CBD infusion in their soup. Either way, make sure to stir it well so it distributes evenly.
Final thoughts
There’s nothing wrong with using CBD in the traditional way, but the ideas on this list offer you new options to explore. You can choose to try one, some, or all of these options, and work out what makes the most sense for you. This can include considering factors like your routine, your dose, the other people who use the ingredients you want to infuse, and your eating habits. Be sure to take temperature and dose into consideration, and most importantly, use this list as a jumping off point to find new ways to enjoy the wonders of CBD.
