With everything from infused gummies to peanut butter as edible options, there’s certainly no shortage of choices out there. But have you ever wondered how manufacturers or home cooks make their edibles of the highest strength? It’s often done through a process called decarboxylation. We at What’s Your Treat want to keep you educated and informed, so we’ve collected this guide about how it works!
The Equipment Needed
Whether you’re a professional or doing it at home, the decarboxylation process requires some specific equipment for it to be successful. First, you’ll need an oven, a cookie sheet with a lip on it, and your choice of cannabis flowers to begin.
Steps for Decarboxylation
- Step 1: Preheat your oven to a temperature of 250 degrees Fahrenheit (approx. 120 degrees Celsius). You can use a gas or electric oven, and even a toaster oven as well.
- Step 2: Break apart your cannabis flowers and spread them evenly upon your cooking tray.
- Step 3: Place your cooking sheet with cannabis flowers onto the rack in the oven and leave it in for approximately 30 minutes.
- Step 4: Once done in the oven, remove the cannabis flowers and let them cool completely.
Some Key Things to Keep in Mind
Firstly, it’s important to note that your cannabis will change to a brown color because of being left in the oven (don’t be alarmed, it’s normal). Decarboxylation also makes the area where you’re using your oven and the surrounding rooms smell highly of cannabis, so keep the windows closed if you don’t want it to seep out. Since decarboxylation drastically increases the potency of your edibles, start out slow with them until you work up to a comfortable dosage.
What Happens Chemically to My Cannabis When I Decarboxylate It?
Chemically speaking, the decarboxylation process heats up the cannabis molecules, enabling them to break apart and become smaller. This allows the various cannabis compounds in your edibles to be absorbed more quickly and effectively into the blood. Ingesting infused edibles is different than smoking cannabis and requires specific preparations, whereas when smoking it the heat of burning cannabis flowers automatically decarboxylates the cannabis.
Simple Ways to Optimize the Decarboxylation Process
One of the easiest ways to simplify and make decarboxylation more effective is by investing in a DecarBox if you intend to make a normal habit of doing it for your edibles. Not only will one help reduce the smell exuded during the process but also distributes heat more evenly and minimizes the risk of underheating your flowers. Additionally, if using a normal baking sheet, adding a layer of parchment paper below your cannabis will help prevent flowers from sticking to the surface.
Also, investing in a reliable electronic thermometer that boasts an interior probe and external display will help control the heating process better because you can avoid opening the oven to check the temperature and have all the heat escape from it.
Learn more about decarboxylation and infused edibles by contacting us today!
What’s Your Treat carries a wide variety of infused gummies, taffy, tinctures, and more CBD, THC, and HHC products. Contact us online today for more information or call (704) 684-5276.