For first-time users, who want to avoid needles and inhalation methods, often ask this question – how does CBD oil taste?
Accompanied by – “Will I hate it?” “Will it be tolerable?” “Will it be better to morph it by infusing in edibles rather than consume it directly (as in oral ingestion) or put it under my tongue (as one would do if they chose the sublingual pathway)?
If you have any of these questions in mind, you aren’t alone. I had the same concerns too. This is mostly because some people I know who have used it find its taste sort of disgusting.
But guess what? It’s actually not that bad at all!
CBD Oil Taste
After consuming CBD oil, some people say it is like eating grass and dirt. But the taste of CBD oil isn’t that bad at all!
It tastes like green fruits or vegetables when consumed raw combined with the earthiness of cheap wine. This is mostly because of the presence of chlorophyll in the extract. Some even find the taste nutty, while others call it grassy.
The other contributors to the flavor of CBD oils are flavonoids and terpenes – components of cannabis extracts that are not cannabinoids but are as beneficial to mammals as cannabinoids. Inclusion of these gives each CBD oil product, produced by different manufacturers, a unique taste.
Did you know that many of these components are even used in aromatherapy! Oh yes! Also, did you know that pure CBD (isolate) does not have much of either smell or taste? It is these components of cannabis that give CBD oils their unique taste and aroma.
Do you want to know the kind of different flavors that terpenes and flavonoids add to CBD oil? Here are some:
Terpenes
Terpenes are aromatic oils secreted by the same glands that produce cannabinoids and give different cannabis strains their specific flavor. Here are a few terpenes found in different strains of cannabis:
- Alpha-Pinene: Has a piney aroma and taste, and benefits those with medical conditions like asthma, pain and inflammation, ulcers, anxiety, cancer. It promotes alertness, memory retention, counteracts some THC effects.
- Myrcene: With musky and earthy flavors of cardamom and cloves, this terpene has a sedating “couchlock” effect and is a relaxant. It is an excellent antioxidant, and can also help in the treatment of insomnia, pain, and inflammation.
- Limonene: Known for its citric aroma, this terpene has been found to be an effective agent for the treatment of anxiety, depression, anxiety, pain, inflammation, and even cancer. It relieves stress and improves mood.
- Beta-Caryophyllene: Having a combination of spicy and woody flavors, like that of pepper and cloves, Beta-Caryophyllene is a good stress buster. It is great for managing pain, anxiety, and depression, and even controlling the spread of ulcers.
- Linalool: This smells floral like lavender. This has sedative and mood-enhancing effects. It is good for the treatment of anxiety, depression, insomnia, pain, inflammation, and neurodegenerative disease.
- Humulene: Having an earthy woody smell and taste like hops, this terpene has anti-inflammatory effects on the body.
- Ocimene: With a sweet, yet woody flavor, this terpene acts as an antiviral, anti-fungal, antiseptic, decongestant, and an antibacterial agent.
- Terpinolene: Having a relaxing effect on users, this terpene has a piney and herbal taste and aroma. It is an excellent antioxidant and sedative. It is also good for fighting bacteria, fungus even cancer.
Flavonoids
Over 6,000 types of flavonoids are found in nature, but only 20 varieties are present in cannabis. These are chemical compounds that comprise around 10% of the known compounds in cannabis and their presence also contributes to the distinctive aroma and flavor of each strain of cannabis. Besides, it also gives cannabis its specific color.
Most people get used to the unique taste of cannabis, particularly more easily in cases in which the CBD products have terpenes and flavonoids as ingredients. Meanwhile, others don’t seem to mind it at all! Most of them have anti-inflammatory, anti-fungal, antioxidant, and anti-cancer effects on the body.
But there are still many of us who find it disgusting from day one to weeks after repeated use.
So how can we overcome it?
CBD Oil Tastes like Weed & How to avoid the Taste?
For those who never seem to overcome the “disgusting” taste of CBD oil, there is no need to despair! There are two very simple options – change the way you use CBD or use flavored products.
Changing The Consumption Method
Vaping/inhalation, ingesting CBD isolate capsules, intravenous injections or topical creams are good options in which you don’t have to actually put the CBD oil into your mouth.
Using A Flavored Product Instead
Another option is using products that have some nice flavors added to them. Here are some products that have worked for me:
- Highland Pharms: Strawberry- and mint-flavored CBD oil drops.
- Fab CBD: Citric- and mint-flavored CBD oil drops
- Charlotte’s Web: Chocolate mint-flavored CBD oil drops
- Kat’s Naturals: Peppermint-flavored “Heal” drops.
- NuLeaf Naturals: Natural earthy taste, but tastes better than other brands with the natural taste, owing to the specific combination of terpenes.
If neither of the above options suits you, there are still ways you can still consume CBD oil in the usual way – sublingual or ingest orally in its original form – and not have to deal with the earthy taste of CBD.
Ways You Can Mask the Taste of CBD Oil
Some simple tips to cover up the natural smell and taste of CBD oil that I have tried while using CBD oil sublingually are:
- Eating my favorite food/snack while CBD oil is still under my tongue
- Popping a peppermint gummy or lozenge along with a few drops of CBD tincture
- Brushing my teeth right before using CBD oil
- Not breathing through your mouth; this ensures the smell doesn’t reach the olfactory nerves
- Drinking coffee or a milkshake minutes after its use
- Dropping a bit of honey under my tongue, while CBD oil is still there
- Using CBD isolates over full-spectrum variants (CBD itself has no taste; the other components give CBD oil its taste.)
- Infusing food with CBD oil (not a good option as it reduces bioavailability while going through the digestive system.)
- Morphing the taste with yogurt (You must eat it while CBD oil is still under your tongue; later gulp it down with it)
- Eating a slice of cheese (if you like and can digest) or a spoonful of peanut butter while the CBD oil is still under your tongue to numb the severity of its taste
- You can also eat something sweet, it works too!
- Simply drinking a glass of water if you feel it works for you
If none of these options work either, try another CBD product – one that tastes a little better, and then try out the above options.
Our Takeaway
CBD oil has powerful therapeutic effects, but with none of the psychoactive effects of THC, like intoxication, euphoria or hallucinations. It is even safer and more potent than most pharmaceutical drugs.
Although CBD oil is gaining much popularity among people suffering from different conditions and disorders, its taste and smell can be quite unpleasant for many.
Hopefully, our options will offer you ways to use CBD oil sublingually, as the other options aren’t the best.
For instance, ingesting it orally only reduces the effectiveness of CBD, while inhalation and injections, which are potentially more potent methods, come with their own drawbacks. Topical applications are effective only in some isolated cases like inflammation or acute pain.
Sublingual administration is potentially the best option among the usual method of using CBD. Our options to mask the taste have been proven to work. At least, I can definitely vouch for these them.
So, go ahead and try them and get the most of your CBD oil product.
