Like CBD oil, cannabis honey is a simple herbal remedy that you can make at home. The process begins first by activating the plant's beneficial compounds through heat and then infusing the activated plant matter in honey.
Once finished, you can use it as you would any herbal honey. It tastes delicious with notes of caramel, pine, and citrus, and works well spooned into tea or drizzled over toasted sourdough bread.
Jump to Recipe | What is it? | What's in it? | Activating CBD | Tips | Variations | Common Questions
What is it?
CBD honey is made by infusing cannabis into honey using light heat. It's anti-inflammatory, combining the collective benefits of both high-CBD hemp and honey. It's also easy to make and has a striking sweet flavor with distinct herbal undertones.
To make it at home, you'll need to follow a simple three-step process. It begins by heating the cannabis in a process called decarboxylation which activates the herb's beneficial compounds. Next, you'll mix the herb with honey and allow it to infuse the honey under gentle heat. Last, you'll strain the honey and transfer it to a jar for storage.
What's in it?
To make cannabis honey, you'll need two ingredients: cannabis and honey. That's it. I prefer to use a nonintoxicating high-CBD strain. In addition to these two ingredients, you can also add other herbs as well such as vanilla, rose, basil, thyme, rosemary, or lavender. The combination of herbs can add both flavor and beneficial botanical compounds as well.
Activating CBD
The beneficial compounds in cannabis, such as CBD, need to be activated in order for your body to make use of them. This process of activation is called decarboxylation, and it requires heat.
For making the honey, you can activate your herb by baking it on a sheet pan; however, using a precision cooker designed for cannabis use will activate a greater percentage of these beneficial compounds.
That's why we use and recommend the Ardent Fx which is designed to activate these beneficial compounds efficiently. You can also use it to prepare infusions and baked goods. For people who regularly make cannabis infusions such as CBD honey or oil or other edibles, it's worth the investment.
Tips for making infused honey
Making cannabis-infused honey is easier than you think, and you'll need to follow three steps. It begins first by activating the herb, followed by infusion, and straining. But there are a few tips for you to keep in mind.
- Choose high-CBD strains. While you can make infused honey with any cannabis plant, I favor high-CBD strains with minimal THC content. Thanks to the 2018 farm bill, it's federally legal and you can purchase it here.
- Use a high-quality honey with a flavor you like. Look for raw, local honey where possible. Specialty honeys can contribute a lot of flavor to your batch, and wildflower and acacia honeys work well in this recipe.
- Precision matters. To extract the most beneficial compounds (and to make infusion easier) use an all-in-one precision cooker/infuser such as the Ardent Fx.
- Store it as you would any other honey. That means you should store it at room temperature away from direct light and heat. Honey lasts indefinitely, but try to use infused honeys within a few months.
- Go easy. A half teaspoon to a full teaspoon is a good place to start.
Variations
Add additional herbs such as vanilla, chamomile, lavender, passionflower, or rose. Other medicinal herbs have a calming effect and can complement the the beneficial effects of the CBD found in cannabis and hemp. These herbs don't need to be activated through decarboxylation, so add them in the second step alongside honey.
If you don't care for honey, you can use this same technique to infuse other natural sweeteners such as maple syrup.
Make creamed (or whipped) cannabis honey by mixing the strained honey with an equal part of crystallized honey. Whip them together in a stand mixer fitted with the whisk attachment until it turns light and creamy. Let it rest for two hours, and then repeat the process twice more. Store the creamed honey in a jar at room temperature, whipping once more if it separates.
Common Questions
Yes. To make cannabis honey on the stove, you'll first need to decarboxylate the trim. Many people do this on a baking sheet in a slow oven. Once it's decarbed, add it to a double boiler set over simmering water. Allow the herbs to infuse the honey, for about 45 minutes, and then strain and store.
Honey infused with high-CBD cannabis trim that contains little to no THC content, such as the kind recommended in this recipe, is non-intoxicating and will not get you high.
Store honey away at room temperature away from direct light and heat for up to 2 months.
Many companies sell CBD honey in addition to other CBD products such as oils and tinctures. One of my favorites is Populum, which you can purchase here.
Swirl a teaspoon of the infused honey into your bedtime tea, or drizzle it over fresh fruit. You can also substitute cannabis and other herbal honey for regular honey in many recipes, and for recipes that call for large volumes of honey a mixture of both herbal and regular honey works well.
