How To Make Edibles, The Right Way

Welcome to your ultimate guide on how to make edibles the right way. Creating edibles at home can be an exciting journey, allowing you to experiment with different flavors while enjoying the benefits of cannabis. Whether you’re a seasoned user or new to the world of edibles, this comprehensive guide will equip you with the essential knowledge to start creating cannabis-infused treats.

Skip to a section:

• What Do You Need to Make Your Edibles?
• The Different Ways to Make Edibles
• Storing Your Edibles Properly
• Cooking With Cannabis & Edible FAQs

What Do You Need to Make Your Edibles?

You need to gather a few essential items to create your homemade edibles. The first and arguably the most important is a high-quality cannabis strain. The strain will dictate the high your edibles will provide. You will also need a grinder to break down your cannabis and an oven or a slow cooker for decarboxylation and infusion processes.

Moreover, base ingredients like butter or high-proof alcohol are crucial, as they’ll serve as the medium for cannabis infusion. Finally, ensure you have your preferred edible recipes at hand. These could range from baked goods like brownies and cookies to gummies or savory dishes.

Choosing a Strain To Cook With

The strain of edible weed you select will significantly affect your final product. Each cannabis strain comes with its unique blend of cannabinoids and terpenes, all contributing to its aroma, flavor, and effect – a phenomenon known as the entourage effect.

Therefore, it’s essential to consider what you want out of your edibles. Are you seeking a calming effect for relaxation or sleep? Or are you looking for an uplifting effect for creativity and social events? Your answer will guide your strain choice. For instance, indica strains often provide more relaxing effects, while sativa strains are more energizing.

Determine The Proper Edible Dosage

Determining the correct dosage is critical to learning how to make edibles. Unlike smoking or vaping, where the effects are immediate, edibles take some time to kick in, and the high can be much more intense. Therefore, understanding and controlling your dosage is crucial.

The appropriate dosage will depend on several factors. These can include your cannabis usage frequency, body weight, metabolism, and desired effects. For those just starting their edible journey, it’s always advisable to start with a low dose (like 5-10 mg of THC) and wait for at least two hours to assess its effects before consuming more.

The Decarboxylation Process

Decarboxylation is a critical step when you’re making edibles. This process involves applying heat to the cannabis, which activates the THC, transforming it from its acid form, THCA, into a compound that can create the euphoric high associated with cannabis.

Typically, decarboxylation involves baking your ground cannabis in the oven at a low temperature for about 30 to 45 minutes. After decarboxylation, your cannabis is ready for infusion.

The Different Ways to Make Edibles

Creating edibles isn’t a one-size-fits-all process. There are several methods, each offering a unique approach to infusing cannabis into your edibles.

Making Edibles Using Cannabutter

Cannabutter, as the name suggests, is butter infused with cannabis. This classic and popular method for creating edibles involves simmering cannabis and butter together. This process allows the THC to bind to the fat in the butter, making a cannabis-infused product in any recipe that calls for butter.

To make cannabutter, you need first to decarboxylate your cannabis. Then, simmer it with butter on low heat for several hours. Afterward, strain out the plant material and let the butter cool and solidify.

Making Edibles From Weed Tinctures

Weed tinctures offer an easy and discreet way to consume cannabis. A tincture is a cannabis-infused alcohol that you can add to almost any food or drink. Tinctures allow for accurate dosing and take effect quicker than other edible forms.

Creating tinctures involves steeping cannabis in high-proof alcohol for several weeks then straining out the plant material. The result is a potent cannabis extract that you can use in tiny doses.

Making Edibles From Cannabis Distillate

Cannabis distillate, often sold in syringes, is a highly concentrated cannabis extract. With THC contents often exceeding 90%, distillates offer a potent option for making edibles. The advantage of distillates is that they’re decarboxylated during production, meaning they’re ready to use straight out of the syringe.

Storing Your Edibles Properly

Like any other food item, properly storing your edibles is crucial to maintain their freshness, flavor, and potency. It would be best to keep your edibles in an airtight container in a cool, dark place. Air, heat, and light exposure can degrade the THC content, reducing the edibles’ potency over time.

Can You Freeze Edibles?

Yes, you can freeze your edibles, especially if you’ve made a large batch and want to keep them longer. However, ensure you appropriately wrap or store them in airtight containers to prevent freezer burn. Remember that the quality of frozen edibles, especially baked goods, may deteriorate over time, so it’s best to consume them within a couple of months.

Cooking With Cannabis & Edible FAQs

Cooking with cannabis may initially seem complicated, but once you understand the basics, it becomes a creative and enjoyable process. To aid your journey, here are answers to some of the most frequently asked questions about making and consuming edibles.

Does Making Edibles Smell?

Yes, making edibles does create a noticeable aroma, especially during the decarboxylation and infusion processes. The smell can vary depending on the strain used, but it generally has a distinct, potent cannabis odor.

How Long Do Edibles Take To Kick In?

The effects of edibles can take anywhere from 30 minutes to 2 hours to kick in. The wide range is due to factors like your metabolism, what you’ve eaten that day, and the potency of the edible.

How Long Do Edible Highs Last?

The duration of an edible high can vary depending on the dose and individual factors like tolerance and metabolism. Generally, though, the effects can last between 4 and 12 hours.

Whether you’re new to cannabis or an experienced user looking to try something new, making your own edibles can be a fun and rewarding experience. As always, ensure to consume responsibly and enjoy the journey of creating your custom cannabis treats.

Get Baked with EMBR Dispensary

EMBR Dispensary has a wide range of delicious, high-quality edible options for those days when you’d instead not make your edibles. From gummies to baked goods, there’s something for every palate. Plus, our knowledgeable staff is always here to answer any questions you have about our products or the effects of edibles. So why not stop by and elevate your edible experience today?