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Hemp butter - recipe, effects, dosage


Please note: All information provided in this article is for educational purposes only. The article only describes the possible uses of CBD flowers, provided that these flowers do not contain more than 0.3%THC. It is in no way intended to entice, encourage or incite anyone to abuse any addictive substances. The article is not suitable for persons under the age of 18.

What is hemp butter?

Cannabis butter also cannabutter, weed butter, THC butter contains cannabinoids such as THC (tetrahydrocannabinol) and CBD (cannabidiol). THC is the main substance in cannabis and is known for its psychoactive effects. However, you can make hemp butter from CBD flowers, which do not have these effects and meet the legal limit for THC.

Butter is ideal for dissolving cannabis. This is because THC and CBD are highly fat soluble and butter has plenty of fat molecules for THC or CBD to bind to. We explain the differences between THC and CBD on our blog.

Effects of CBD

Cannabinoids and other compounds can have different effects on the body and mind. CBD can be helpful in:

  • Pain relief
  • Reducing inflammation in the body
  • Inducing calming and relaxing sensations
  • Stress, anxiety and depression
  • Improving sleep quality

Before you do it: Safety first

It is important to note that with all edibles (foods or drinks containing the psychoactive cannabis ingredient THC or CBD), dosing should be started slowly. Different methods of consuming cannabis have slightly different effects, onset times and durations. With vaporisation, the effects start almost immediately and about 50 % of the active substances contained in the plant material enter the body, whereas with cannabis products 100 % enter the body.

After ingestion of edibles, the effects are slower to manifest and only fully develop after some time, usually 45-60 minutes. It is important to be patient and to try and test gradually. Always taste just a small amount after finishing the cannabutter, as it is not so easy to gauge the effects.

The first of the hemp butter recipes involves water and fat. Cooking with fat and water can be dangerous, so it is advisable to prepare properly. It is advisable to wear long-sleeved clothing and heat-resistant gloves to protect yourself from getting burned. Extra care should be taken to avoid accidents. When the mixture starts to boil, the bubbling hot fats and oils can splash unpleasantly throughout the kitchen.

Choosing cannabis: What parts of the plant can be used?

It's good to know the strength of the cannabis strain you are about to use. The higher the content of the main cannabinoids, especially THC and CBD, in the cannabis strain used, the higher the potency of the butter will be. This does not mean, for example, that flowers with 17% CBD are necessarily 4% stronger than cannabis with 13% CBD. Find out more about CBD flowers in this guide.

Both flowers and trimmings, such as leaves, and even the stems of the plant can be used in a cannabutter recipe. The buds, which are full of resin, make a stronger butter because they contain the highest amount of cannabinoids. However, some people consider buds to be premium material and prefer to use the cuttings and remains of the plant. In contrast, the leaves and smaller flowers of cannabis grown outdoor (outdoors), the cannabutter will be weaker.

When choosing trimmings and scraps, it is better to choose leaves. These have a much higher cannabinoid content than twigs or stems due to the higher number of trichomes. This does not mean that you should not use stems or twigs. You can add them, it won't harm anything and it can help increase the amount of butter you make.

Production process: why is decarboxylation important?

In one of the recipes you will come across the term: decarboxylation. This process is important for the activation of cannabinoids in the plant, such as THC, and is carried out before the actual production of the butter. Decarboxylation converts THCA into THC and this happens at temperatures above 105ºC. If you forget this step, cannabutter will have little or no effect.

You will need heat to decarboxylate the cannabis, we will describe the exact steps in the recipe below.

Recipe for hemp butter

If you search the internet for other recipes, you will find that there are many variations and procedures, similar to ointments. So the recipe above is just one of many. The different recipes differ mainly in the amount of ingredients used. These instructions and the values given are for guidance only. You can adjust your recipe according to your own preferences and experience. If you want a vegan version, use vegetable margarine or coconut oil.

Tip: How to make cannabutter with almost no work? Try the machine MagicalButter  Machine MB2e which produces high-quality homemade cannabutter, cannabis oils and lotions at the touch of a button. Find out more in this article.

The accessories you need:

  • Gloves
  • Baking tray
  • Baking paper
  • Troubleshooting
  • Cooker
  • Cooking pot / soup pot / pressure cooker / slow cooker
  • Sieve or colander
  • Sealable container for finished butter
  • Shredder, blender, grinder - not necessary
  • Wooden cooker
  • Kitchen towel - not necessary

Ingredients for the production of hemp butter:

  • 440 g butter (unsalted)
  • 480 ml of water
  • 2 cups (14-20 g) of decarboxylated and crushed cannabis

A 1:1 ratio is commonly used, if you want a milder effect, use less cannabis.

Guidelines for cannabis decarboxylation:

  • Preheat the oven to 120 ºC (max. 130 ºC).
  • Prepare the cannabis and crush it using a grinder - but don't crush it too much so it doesn't fall through the sieve.
  • Spread the crushed cannabis on a baking sheet lined with baking paper and place in the oven
  • Heat for about 30-40 minutes, stirring and turning the cannabis every 10-15 minutes for even heating.
  • Done, you have decarboxylated cannabis to use in butter.

Tip: You can shorten this process by preheating the oven to 150ºC and heating for only 10-15 minutes. However, a slower method is rather recommended to preserve the cannabinoids and terpenes.

How to make hemp butter:

  • Melt the butter in a large enough saucepan.
  • Add water (it regulates the temperature and ensures the butter doesn't burn).
  • Once the butter has melted, add the decarboxylated cannabis, making sure that the cannabis floats above the bottom about 3-5 cm.
  • Cook at a low temperature of 70-90 ºC (do not exceed this temperature to avoid loss of cannabinoids).
  • Cook slowly, stirring occasionally, for 2-3 hours (the mixture must not come to a full boil).
  • Once the mixture is reduced to half the original quantity, fresh water can be added as needed.
  • After the time has elapsed, prepare the container, you can scoop the mixture into gloves and strain the mixture through a sieve or colander (a clean cloth can also be used) to squeeze out the excess oil.
  • Let the sealed container chill for a few hours, preferably in the refrigerator overnight, to allow the butter to solidify.
  • If water appears in the container, pour it off.
  • Ready to serve on bread or use in other recipes.

Tip: How to know when the cannabutter is ready? The liquid separates and a good layer of oil floats on the surface. This can take anywhere from 2 hours to a full day. A slower brew will take much longer, but you'll likely lose less THC and CBD.

What about the leftovers?

If you are one of those who want to get the absolute most out of your plants, set the broth aside for future use. This broth can be added to salad dressing or to a spread to flavour other dishes. It still has a small amount of cannabinoids in it, so feel free to use it.

Dosage

As for dosage, there is no formula to determine the correct dose. When making butter, the strength of the cannabis strain used must be considered. The strength is also affected by the heating time and the temperature at which it is infused. However, heating cannabis for 2 hours instead of 1 hour does not necessarily make the butter 2 times thicker, and heating at 85ºC instead of 70ºC does not necessarily make it thicker either.

If your cannabuter is too strong and you want to use it in other dishes, you can put, for example, ¼ hemp butter and ¼ classic butter according to a specific recipe.

Tip: You can start by spreading ¼ or ½ teaspoon of butter on your bread and after 1-2 hours, you will see how this dose affects you. Then adjust the dose accordingly.

Storage

How long does hemp butter last? It can last up to 2 months in the fridge. To keep it edible for longer, store the butter in the freezer. It's worth it to slice your butter, because then you won't have to defrost the whole piece when you only need a smaller amount. Choose the best coloured airtight containers for storage. You can buy Miron airtight containers in purple glass in sizes 30-1,000 ml.

Don't be afraid to experiment

How about enriching your hemp butter? Inspiration is endless. There are countless ways you can enhance your butter, depending on your preferences and how you want to use it. Add your favourite herbs and spices to the savoury version. You can enhance the sweet version with fruit, sugar and even candy.

Popular ingredients to enhance salted butter include:

  • Garlic
  • Basil
  • Thyme
  • Oregano
  • Chilli
  • Pepper
  • Asian spice blends

Ingredients for flavouring butter for sweet:

  • Fruits - oranges, lemons and apples
  • Sugar, cinnamon sugar and vanilla sugar
  • Cocoa powder
  • Coconut flakes
  • Favorite crushed candies

Quick tip: How to make butter from hemp seeds?

This quick recipe requires only one ingredient, namely hulled hemp seeds. These seeds contain plenty of protein, healthy fatty acids and fibre.

3 tablespoons of hemp seeds have 116 calories and contain the following nutrients:

  • Protein 9,47 g
  • Carbohydrates 2,60 g
  • Fat 1,20 g
  • Total fatty acids 14,62 g
  • Monounsaturated fatty acids 1.62 g
  • Polyunsaturated fats 11,43 g
  • Saturated fatty acids 1.38 g

Hemp seeds are also a healthy source of vitamin E and minerals such as calcium, iron, magnesium, potassium and zinc. The seeds are considered a superfood by many people. We've written more about this superfood in this article: Hemp seed and its health benefits.

How to make hemp seed butter:

  • Put the shelled hemp seeds in a food processor or blender.
  • Blend for 5-10 minutes, occasionally you may need to pause the blender and scrape the seeds from the sides of the blender.
  • If the consistency is creamy and spreadable, you're done!
  • Can be served immediately.

Summary

Once you make your own hemp butter, it opens up a lot of possibilities for making edibles. Cannabutter can be added to a variety of cakes, buns, cookies, brownies, muffins and other sweet treats. You can spread the butter on your morning pastries, add it to baked potatoes or vegetables, or use it in smoothies. Don't be afraid to experiment and discover your favorite version of butter and edibles.

Making cannabutter is cheap, easy and you only need a few ingredients and of course time and patience. You can choose premium CBD flowers from us. When cooking, keep in mind that the butter can burn easily, so you need to stir it regularly. A great helper is the MagicalButter Machine MB2e, which will do the work for you.

In terms of dosage, it is generally recommended to start with a smaller amount of hemp butter and see how strong its effect is. The first effects come on after about 45-60 minutes compared to cannabis inhalation and can gradually wear off after 8 hours, in some cases lasting even longer.

Author: Canatura

Photo: Shutterstock

"All information provided on this website, as well as the information provided through this website, is for educational purposes only. None of the information contained herein is intended as a substitute for medical diagnosis and such information is not to be considered medical advice or recommended treatment. This website does not promote, endorse or advocate the legal or illegal use of narcotic drugs or psychotropic substances or the commission of any other illegal activity. Please see our Disclaimer for further information."

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