How To Make CBD Infused Coffee
With coffee being a staple of many a person’s daily routine, whether decaffeinated or not, it was almost inevitable that at some point someone may decide to infuse CBD into their coffee, or coffee beans.
If you think of the many different additives that we add to our coffees on a daily basis to improve on an already great taste, it would seem logical that by adding CBD we would not only have a great tasting coffee, but one with health benefits too. In this article, we will cover how to make CBD infused coffee.
First however …
What is CBD?
Cannabidiol, or CBD as it is commonly called, is known to be the second most prevalent active ingredient in cannabis. Cannabidiol however, is not extracted from cannabis (marijuana), but from hemp, a close cousin to the cannabis plant. Consuming CBD does not cause a “high”, and does not cause mood-altering affects.
The second most active ingredient is called tetrahydrocannabinol or THC. THC is the component that brings on the well-known hallucinogenic effects of cannabis.
There is both anecdotal and strong scientific proof that would suggest that CBD consumption may help to alleviate chronic pain, epilepsy¹, insomnia and even anxiety. By simply adding your daily intake of CBD to your daily intake of coffee seems to make a lot of sense if your intention is medical.
Differences between Hemp and Cannabis plants
While both plants come from the same plant family (Cannabis sativa), Hemp plants contain more CBD oil and less tetrahydrocannabinol, or THC as it is better known. Cannabis plants on the other hand, contain less CBD oil and more THC. It is for this reason that the Hemp plant is considered the go-to plant for CBD extraction.
Now in order to be endorsed for medical use in the UK, CBD oil must contain no THC. For those states that allow it, as not all states do, CBD oil must contain a 0.3% concentration of THC or lower for it to be endorsed by the FDA. Anything above 0.3% is considered a controlled substance and therefore illegal in some states so it would be advisable to do your research before purchasing CBD oil.
What are the benefits of CBD infused coffee?
We all know the effects of coffee, whether you like a super strong wake-me-up brew, or a milder, chilled out nudge-me-through-the-next-couple-of-hours. In fact, you may even like your coffee decaffeinated, and drink it purely for that taste.
By giving your coffee a boost with CBD oil, you are essentially giving your body a health boost. There will be no immediate noticeable difference, and there definitely will not be a euphoric ‘high’ associated only with the THC element in cannabis plants.
By spreading your intake throughout the day, in your coffee drink, you will reap the benefits. Those benefits could be:
- relief from chronic pain
- reduction in anxiety
- improved sleep
- improved concentration
There is anecdotal evidence that would suggest that the infusion of CBD into stronger coffee can have the potential to alleviate the caffeine ‘jitters’ associated with consuming high levels of caffeine, like an espresso for example.
Like any natural supplement, change is not immediate, but after a good couple of weeks you should start noticing a difference.
How is CBD taken?
CBD can be taken in a variety of ways, from oils, capsule pills, gummies and even topical creams. But for the purpose of infusing CBD with our coffee, we will be using oil.
My recommendation: A great quality CBD oil, and many other CBD products, can be found here.
How much CBD is recommended daily?
A great deal of research² has gone into the safe administration of CBD. It is suggested in the UK that the maximum daily dosage should be no more than 70mg unless your doctor has advised otherwise.
Most human studies have used dosages from as low as 20mg up to 1500mg per day, but it must also be remembered that each person is different. Side effects may be a result of overuse. If you are not sure where to start, it would be better to start off with a smaller dose, as little as 20mg per day. You can then make increments of 5mg per week, all the time monitoring how it affects your body, and finding the dose that is right for you. All of this becomes relevant because as coffee drinkers we know how many cups can be consumed in a day. What you will be aiming for is either to spread your daily dose over many coffees, or give yourself a hit in the morning or indeed, the evening.
If you are wondering, is it okay to put CBD oil in coffee? The answer is an emphatic yes. After all, CBD can not only be taken straight, normally a few drops under the tongue. It has been mixed with any number of products to enhance the health factor CBD offers.
How to make CBD infused coffee drinks
So down to the good stuff. You know that CBD may be beneficial, or you may have already been using it and found it to be health advantageous. It is time to find out how to make CBD infused coffee beans or how to add it to your coffee to get the most benefit from it.
1. Coffee bean infusion
How do you infuse CBD into coffee beans? Your selected coffee beans will need to be ground. This will enable you to add CBD oil directly to ground coffee beans. Coffee granules can also be infused with CBD. It is believed the oil has a chance to infuse with the coffee itself prior to the addition of hot water.
The recommended amount added to each cup would be between 15 – 20mg. Keep in mind that if you plan on drinking excessive amounts of coffee, you should probably knock the amount back per cup. The aim is to have a maximum of 70mg per day, unless you are feeling rebellious.
To add CBD oil to your coffee grounds, simply drop the required number of drops on the exposed grounds in your French press or coffee maker. Then continue to make your coffee as you would normally do.
To add CBD oil to your coffee granules you would do exactly the same, allowing the oil to soak in before adding your water.
2. Coffee drink
CBD oil is probably most often added to coffee once it has been made, by dropping it onto the mix. The ability to add it at any point gives a coffee drinker plenty of scope for use. You may have ordered a latte on your lunch break, and you can now use a handy bottle of CBD to add your required drops. It is worth bearing in mind that oil will floats on top of water. It will need to be vigorously mixed into your coffee to infuse with the blend you have chosen.
3. Already infused CBD coffee
Don’t want to bother making your own? Well, you can of course go the route of purchasing ready infused beans or grounds. There are some truly fantastic CBD coffees available. Our absolute favourites are from Strava Craft Coffee who have an entire range worth trying. But don’t take our word for it, have a look at Trustpilot!
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Adding CBD honey to coffee
Many coffee drinkers substitute sugar for honey. Not only is honey tasty, it also has many other health attributes. It contains polyphenols, which are powerful antioxidants. When consumed in moderation, honey has the ability to boost the level of antioxidants in your bloodstream. Honey is also known to contain vitamins, minerals and amino acids. It makes sense to blend honey with CBD oil to create a wonderful health kick in each spoon. Add this to your coffee and not only is it no longer only a stimulant to get you up in the morning, it has now become part of a health regime.
My recommendation:
For a fantastic CBD infused honey, harvested from raw honey in Missouri, click here.
FAQ'S:
What is CBD espresso?
Whether you make your own espresso at home or order it from your favourite barista on your way to work, you will know that an espresso can give you that daily kick you need. In fact, an espresso contains on average 63mg of caffeine in one ounce, whereas a regular coffee contains on average 12mg to 16mg of caffeine in one ounce. The addition of CBD into this strength of coffee can be done at the ground beans stage (at home), or with a few drops of your own CBD oil.
Can you cold brew CBD coffee?
There are three options when adding CBD to cold brew coffee:
- The first method is to add the CBD oil into your ground coffee beans and ensure that it has properly soaked in and infused with the grounds. Then add your water, stir it in, and allow it to steep in the fridge for 12 hours.
- The second option is to add your CBD oil to the cold brew before consuming.
- The third option is to purchase CBD infused coffee beans from your best supplier.
Coincidentally, it is believed that although CBD does provide plenty of benefits when added to a hot coffee, the heat of the coffee has the capacity to slightly degrade its efficiency. By adding to a cold brew, you will be retaining its full potential.
How much does CBD coffee cost?
The cost of CBD infused coffee does depend on where you buy it, but its safe to say that it will be more expensive than regular coffee. The expense of the coffee is related to the level of CBD infused. CBD infused coffee becomes incrementally more expensive with higher levels of CBD, typically ranging from 4mg to 20mg per serving.
Does CBD coffee get you high?
Depending on who you are, you may or may not be disappointed with the answer. Drinking CBD infused coffee does not make you high. Unless of course you have gone the DIY method and bought your CBD oil from an unreliable source which have over the legal limit of THC.
All CBD oil sold in the US is produced by the Hemp plant. Hemp is used for its equivalent CBD content, but it’s lack of THC hallucinogenic content. Approval by the FDA is determined by the CBD oil having 0.3% or less THC content. CBD oil sold in the UK also has next to no THC content in order for it to be sold to the general public.
How does CBD infused coffee make you feel?
Due to the lack of THC in your CBD infused coffee, you can continue to feel ‘with it’. You can be comfortable in the knowledge that by consuming CBD with each coffee you won’t get sideways glances from your work colleagues, or a stern rebuke from your boss.
You certainly won’t be pulled off the freeway for swerving happily across the lanes. No, you can go about you day as you always have, but with each addition you will know that it will be doing some good.
Is CBD infused coffee safe?
If you have landed on this question without reading everything that precedes it, it may be a good idea to scroll back up now. The only dangers that come from CBD infused coffee is there is a miniscule potential to spill boiling water while making it, and scalding yourself.
You may also be in serious danger of enjoying a life free of chronic pain or anxiety. The most serious threat of all is you may start drinking too much coffee, knowing that each time you add your CBD oil, you are treating your body to a health kick.
Is CBD coffee popular?
CBD coffee certainly has a following. Not only is it readily available to purchase, it is also incredibly easy to make. The health implications of including CBD into your daily diet has been drawing more and more coffee drinkers in too.
Can I use CBD if I am pregnant or nursing?
With the increase in the popularity of CBD use, even with the potential benefits that can be potentially derived from its consumption, it is still fairly new. For this reason, the experts do not consider it safe while pregnant or breastfeeding. In fact, The FDA strongly advices about against using any cannabis product, including CBD, while pregnant or breastfeeding. You can read their advice here.
In summary
So, now that you know how to make CBD infused coffee, whether it’s infused in coffee beans or drops of CBD oil added to your regular coffee, you might notice certain health benefits. Make a note of how you feel over time.
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