Food can provide benefits beyond nutrition. Have you heard of the term, medicinal foods? There are many foods that have healing properties. Topping that list is honey. This sweet, gooey substance is packed with antioxidants, kills microbes, and aids with digestive function.
While potent on its own, honey can be mixed with other substances to boost its therapeutic potential. A recipe gaining popularity in the wellness community is cannabis-infused honey. Cannabis is a medicinal plant used for centuries to lower inflammation, reduce stress, and relieve pain. Combining honey with cannabis creates a superfood with various therapeutic benefits.
Are you ready to learn how to make this healing concoction? Here’s a simple cannabis-infused honey recipe you can make at home.
1. Gather Your Ingredients and Tools
Before you concoct this recipe, consider sourcing top-tier ingredients. Locally sourced, raw, organic honey is better than store-bought bear honey and offers optimal health benefits.
As the base, choose between decarbed flower, kief, or concentrates, like distillate, shatter, or wax. The versatility lies in your hands. If using concentrates, incorporating lecithin can enhance the infusion.
Now, let’s outline the essential tools and equipment you’ll need:
- High-quality cannabis
- Raw honey
- Optional flavorings ( i.e., citrus zest, cinnamon, or vanilla extract)
- Baking sheet
- Grinder
- Double boiler or slow cooker
- Cheesecloth or a fine-mesh strainer
- Airtight containers for storage
This step lays the foundation for a cannabis-infused honey recipe that goes beyond the ordinary. Quality ingredients are necessary for an exceptional infusion, and your choices set the stage for a delightful outcome.
2. Crush and Decarboxylate Your Buds
Now that you have your equipment and ingredients, let’s move on to the next step. To begin this sweet journey, you must understand infusion. You won’t get the euphoria without this process.
Before you bake, grind your weed and remove sticks, stems, or large leaves. This ensures a consistent texture and adds more potency to your cannabis-infused honey.
Set the oven to 240°F, and spread the cannabis evenly on a baking sheet. Use parchment paper and bake until the cannabis turns golden brown. You will smell a fragrant aroma when the process is complete. Be sure to monitor bake time to achieve the potency you desire.
Adjust times and temperatures for different forms of cannabis, such as oil, hash, kief, and flower, as follows:
- High CBD kief and hash: Decarboxylate at 212°F for 2-4 hours
- High THC kief and hash: Decarboxylate at 245°F for 30-40 minutes
- High-THC flower: Bake in an oven at 300°F for 10-18 minutes
If you prefer a more precise method, consider using a decarboxylation device to ensure optimal results while preserving potency and terpenes. With your buds properly crushed and decarbed, we’re one step closer to creating our delicious cannabis-infused honey recipe.
3. Combine Cannabis Oil with Honey
Now comes the exciting part. Let’s combine our cannabis with honey to create a delightful infusion. There are two methods to choose from. You can boil the decarboxylated bud with a double boiler or slow cooker, or use oil and skip the process.
Here are the steps for each:
Boil Method
For every cup of honey, add 3.5 grams of decarbed cannabis and gently heat the mixture over low heat for at least 40 minutes up to two hours, ensuring it never reaches a full boil.
Let the mixture simmer, then place the cheesecloth and funnel on top of a jar. Let it flow naturally to avoid unwanted substances or a bitter taste.
Coconut Oil Method
This approach requires a combination of coconut oil, lecithin, and decarboxylated cannabis. In a mixing bowl, blend one tablespoon of coconut oil and sunflower lecithin with your ground cannabis. Stir until no clumps remain.
Pour the honey into the mixing bowl and thoroughly mix until you achieve a smooth and homogenous texture. Don’t worry if it seems challenging to mix. Electric mixers will work just fine.
If you want to enhance flavor or customize your cannabis-infused honey, add spices during the last hour of cooking. Sweet and savory ingredients, like citrus zest, can lend a delightful twist to your final product.
Remember, you decide whether to strain out the additional ingredients after heating or leave them in for a more intense flavor over time.
4. Monitor Dosage Amounts
After your cannabis-infused honey recipe is complete, start slow and take your time. Dosing is an issue when consuming edibles, so remember to exercise control. Calculating potency can be challenging. And there are several variables in play.
Cannabis flower, concentrates, wax, and oils have different amounts of THC. This factors into the final product when combined with cook time and temperature during the infusion process. To determine final potency, you must consider these variables. Additionally, you may lose some cannabinoids during the straining process.
Control the Desired Effects
Since cannabinoids like THC and CBD adhere to fat molecules, they may remain attached to the plant material and get discarded when straining the honey. Skip the straining process if you don’t want to lose potency or substitute flower with cannabis oil.
To gauge your tolerance and find the proper dosage, consume small amounts. Take a quarter to a half teaspoon, and wait for at least an hour before taking more.
Remember, edibles take longer to show their effects compared to smoked or inhaled cannabis. If desired, spread your canna-honey over a snack and observe how it makes you feel after gradual consumption. Adjust your dose accordingly to achieve the desired experience.
5. Experiment with Your Cannabis-Infused Honey
Infusing honey with cannabis opens up a world of possibilities. Here are a few ways you can indulge:
- Add a spoonful to your tea or coffee to enhance its flavor.
- Drizzle cannabis-infused honey over toast or pancakes for a distinct aroma and taste.
- Enrich your snack game by mixing canna-honey into yogurt or oatmeal, providing a healthy and satisfying treat that nourishes and uplifts.
- Upgrade your regular salads by using this cannabis-infused honey recipe as a dressing.
- Step up your baking game by incorporating canna-honey into your favorite recipes, turning every bite into an elevated experience.
Remember, start with a low dosage, allowing time for the effects to kick in before consuming more. Find the perfect balance to fully enjoy the benefits without overindulging.
Shop Premium Cannabis Flower at Rose Collective
Whether adding to your morning tea or drizzling over your regular snacks, this cannabis-infused honey recipe promises an exotic delight. In addition to its distinct flavor and aroma, you get to enjoy the combined health benefits of cannabis. Use it instead of sugar or maple sugar to enhance your overall wellness.
Need quality flower to make this recipe? If you live in Los Angeles, check out our Venice Beach dispensary for premium finds. We stock award-winning products from the top cannabis brands. Our inventory is restocked every day to ensure our flower selection is as fresh as possible. Browse our products online and visit us in-store to shop for the finest buds.
