Some people prefer the unmistakable taste of raw veggies, while others prefer them in their more subtly flavored steamed or sautéed form. Similarly, some prefer the unique, natural taste of CBD oil, while others would rather mask it with a more savory flavor.
Although it’s a matter of preference, if you’ve never tasted unflavored CBD oil, you might wonder — what does CBD oil taste like?
It depends on a few factors. Generally speaking, CBD oil has a relatively neutral taste mixed with earthy undertones. Whether you’ll enjoy it in all of its hemp-filled natural goodness is entirely for your taste buds to decide.
Although you can add it to any food texture, [CBD] combines well with foods that are more liquid-based, like soup, salad dressing, sauce or yogurt.
In this article, we dive into the specifics regarding the taste of CBD oil and what you can do to adjust the natural flavor if your taste buds decide they need an upgrade.
What Influences the Taste of CBD Oil?
Some people may notice hints of a grass-like flavor when consuming CBD sublingually (placing the oil under your tongue), while others note more of a musky taste. Others yet, associate CBD with a strong, nutty hemp taste.
With so many different taste experiences from users, what ultimately influences the flavor of CBD oil?
There are a few important factors that affect a CBD oil’s flavor profile, and they include:
Terpenes
When you smell the sweet, fresh scent of a strawberry or the citrusy aroma of a lemon, you’re inhaling the terpenes that give them their aromatic profile. Terpenes are fragrant compounds found in almost all plants, including cannabis. While they aren’t the type to induce a “high” on their own, they are responsible for affecting each strain’s aroma and CBD taste.
There are approximately 400 types of terpenes in cannabis, with each of them offering a different scent and flavor. Because CBD oil is made when you extract CBD from a cannabis plant and then dilute it with a carrier oil (typically hemp oil), the taste of CBD oils can be influenced by the type of terpene in the oil.
Some of the common terpenes include:
- Pinene – Picture yourself in the middle of a densely populated forest surrounded by tall, crisp pine trees. Although you’ve probably never tasted a pine needle, you might be familiar with coniferous trees and their fresh woody scent. Pinene has a similar woodsy pine scent and taste.
- Limonene – As its name might suggest, limonene is known for its notes of citrus.
- Linalool – Linalool has a sweet and floral scent and flavor similar to that of lavender.
Carrier Oils
It’s not a stretch to say that carrier oils are used to carry and deliver active ingredients (CBD) to your system. In the case of CBD oil, they’re extremely useful because they help dissolve CBD molecules into the body for easy absorption.
There are a few commonly used nut or plant-based carrier oils in CBD oils, each of them offering its own distinctive flavors:
- Hemp seed oil – Hemp seed oil is derived from the same hemp plant as CBD but comes from the seed rather than the flower (where CBD is extracted). It’s often associated with a nuttier taste than other essential oils, like sunflowers or walnuts.
- Medium-chain triglyceride (MCT) oil – MCTs are easily absorbed into the bloodstream because of their fatty acid content, making them one of the most widely used carrier oils for CBD. Typically derived from coconut oil, it’s unique in that it provides an almost flavorless taste.
- Olive oil – Olive oil is absorbed into the skin faster than MCTs. When ingested sublingually, they taste similar to what you’d expect olive oil to taste like — nutty and smooth.
7 Ways to Change the Taste of CBD Oil
If you’re interested in changing the flavor of your CBD oil (or masking it altogether), you’re in luck. Whether you add it to your favorite smoothie or experiment with different terpenes, it’s completely possible to alter your CBD oil’s flavor profile:
#1 Mix It Into Drinks
CBD oil pairs well with beverages, so whether you prefer combining CBD and coffee with your breakfast or a midday fresh-pressed juice to keep you fueled, you can have your CBD and drink it too. Just be sure to know the best CBD oil dosage for your consumption.
Simply mix your oil into your drink of choice, and voila — enjoy the advantages of the oil while simultaneously masking its earthy taste.
Not sure what to mix it with? Here are some delicious CBD oil-infused drink ideas to try:
- Teas and coffees – If you believe the morning is the best time of day to take CBD, start with a hot cup of joe or a mug of your preferred tea blend and make it twice as beneficial (caffeine plus CBD) by mixing your CBD oil into your hot beverage.
- Smoothies – Whether you’re craving a tropical smoothie, a creamy peanut butter chocolate shake, or something in between, smoothies are an excellent way to neutralize the taste of CBD oil while also providing your body with nourishing ingredients.
- Mocktails – Mix your oil into your favorite cocktail (minus the alcohol). From mouthwatering Mai Tais to minty mojitos, the sky’s the limit.
#2 Combine It With Food
Mixing CBD oil with some of your favorite food items is another easy way to mask its flavor. Although you can add it to any food texture, it combines well with foods that are more liquid-based, like soup, salad dressing, sauce or yogurt.
You can also use CBD oil while cooking. From pasta dishes to baked goods, you really can’t go wrong with its versatile nature. However, here are a few guidelines to follow to ensure it retains its potency:
- Add the oil after you’ve cooked your food – Avoid placing your CBD oil over direct heat. For example, if you’re adding it to a plate of sautéed veggies, cook the vegetables first, take them off the burner, and then mix in the CBD oil. This helps to avoid changing its natural composition and effectiveness.
- Avoid baking with high temperatures – You can combine CBD oil into cookie dough, muffin mix, and other delectable baked goodies, but it’s important to keep the baking temperature at 350 degrees or less. Many recipes require higher temperatures, so you can always add your CBD oil to tried-and-true sweet treats like protein bites or no-bake cookies.
#3 Adjust Its Flavor With Terpenes
As mentioned above, terpenes are the natural compound responsible for giving plants (including cannabis) their unique flavors. That makes them an excellent candidate for altering and adding to the flavor profile of your CBD oils.
If you’re looking for a CBD oil with a taste that resembles something citrusy, minty, chocolatey or something else altogether, you can skip the synthetic flavoring. Instead, try keeping it au natural with the help of terpene-added flavors.
Next time you’re shopping for flavored CBD oil, try looking over the ingredient label and searching for terpenes on the list. This can help to ensure your oil is made with natural ingredients.
#4 Chase It With Something Tart
Some people prefer taking CBD oil sublingually because it’s thought to enter your bloodstream faster (directly through your capillaries in your mouth) than if you were to ingest it with food or drink.
Although there hasn’t been enough research to back this claim one way or the other, if you prefer placing CBD oil drops under your tongue, you can avoid its strong taste by chasing it with a tart beverage. Acidic juices, like orange or grapefruit juice, are ideal candidates.
With your juice at the ready, here’s how to avoid the lasting flavor of your CBD oil:
- Step 1 – Place the CBD oil under your tongue.
- Step 2 – Allow the oil to sit for at least ten seconds, but preferably up to a minute.
- Step 3 – Swallow the oil.
- Step 4 – Take a few sips of your juice to wash down its earthy taste. In its place, you’re likely to find the refreshing flavor of your OJ.
#5 Brush Your Teeth Before Hand
While brushing your teeth won’t add any flavor to your CBD oil, it may mask its hemp-filled taste. Brushing your teeth right before consuming the CBD oil will leave your mouth feeling (and tasting) minty fresh, which can help minimize its taste. In addition, it might lessen the chances of the hemp seed oil coating your mouth with a lasting film, retaining its earthy scent and flavor.
#6 Place Another Flavor Under Your Tongue
What’s a surefire way to mask the CBD oil’s taste as you wait those long 60 seconds for it to absorb into your bloodstream?
Adding another flavor under your tongue while you wait.
That’s right. Instead of taking it alone, include another vibrant flavor in the mix to keep your mind off of its occasional unfavorable taste. Some popular options include:
- A small piece of chocolate
- A dollop of honey
- A citrus-flavored candy
#7 Try Taking CBD Capsules
A CBD capsule is a flavorless product that delivers CBD to your body through your digestive system. Although it’ll take longer for you to notice its effects, the silver lining is that you’ll be able to avoid any unwanted flavors (or any flavors at all for that matter). And if you time it correctly, you’ll be able to experience its benefits when you need them.
Regardless of how you decide to consume your CBD oil, learn more about CBD for appetite stimulation in case the methods above have piqued your interest.
From Seed to Bottle, Know your CBD Source (a la “farm to table”)
While you may (or may not) enjoy the taste of CBD oil, one thing is for certain. CBD oil is an excellent way to help a variety of issues, whether you’re seeking a homeopathic option to help you feel more calm and relaxed or you’re interested in improving joint pain from your exercise routine.
At Zebra CBD, we provide a CBD oil that uses premium hemp extract made with natural ingredients. Our special blend of flavonoids and terpenes ensures quality flavor without sacrificing important factors, such as potency and efficacy. In addition, our MCT carrier oil also plays an important role in the CBD oil’s natural flavor profile by avoiding the strong nutty taste associated with other carrier oils.
From CBD gummies to CBD topical products and everything in between, Zebra CBD offers the widest selection of quality CBD product options, from CBD gummies and other CBD edibles, that’ll leave you (and your taste buds) feeling satisfied.
Sources:
Healthline. How to Take CBD. https://www.healthline.com/health/how-to-take-cbd#sublingual
NIH. Cannabis (Marijuana) and Cannabinoids: What You Need to Know. https://www.nccih.nih.gov/health/cannabis-marijuana-and-cannabinoids-what-you-need-to-know
Very Well Health. Carrier Oils for CBD: How to Choose the Best One. https://www.verywellhealth.com/cbd-carrier-oils-5081879
Taste of Home. Cooking With CBD Oil. https://www.tasteofhome.com/article/cooking-with-cbd-oil/
Well + Good. True or False: the Most Effective Way to Take CBD Is Under Your Tongue. https://www.wellandgood.com/cbd-oil-under-tongue/
Medical News Today. 7 Best CBD Capsules. https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/best-cbd-capsules
