How To Make Vegan Cannabutter Using Coconut Oil

Coconut oil is a standout choice among cooking oils, thanks to its rich concentration of fatty acids—more than most other oils. These fatty acids help it retain cannabinoids effectively, especially during high-heat cooking.

For those seeking a vegan alternative to traditional cannabutter, coconut oil is an ideal substitute.

While cannabutter is typically made by infusing melted butter with decarboxylated cannabis, it can also be crafted using other fat-rich ingredients.

In this case, coconut oil offers a plant-based, cannabinoid-friendly option that works perfectly in any vegan recipe.

What You Will Need To Make Your Vegan Cannabutter

The ingredients you need are melted coconut oil and ground cannabis bud. Also, you will need the following pieces of equipment:

1. Baking Sheet
2. Parchment Paper
3. Small Saucepan or pot
4. Precision Scale
5. Candy Thermometer
6. Fine Mesh Sieve

Note: Accurate measurement is critical here. Bearing in mind that a safe quantity would be around the recommended dosage, you should measure out the amount of marijuana you need before starting.

The Infusion Process

Before you infuse the cannabis with the coconut oil, you need to decarboxylate the cannabis. This step uses heat to chemically activate the cannabinoid (THC and CBD) – the substance that makes you `high.`

Spread a parchment paper over the surface of the baking sheet and preheat your oven to 245°F. Also, you need to ground the marijuana buds with a grinder and melt the coconut oil on low heat. Bake or decarboxylate the ground marijuana for 35 minutes.

Next, mix the decarboxylated cannabis in a small pot with the melted coconut oil. Allow the mixture to steep for 4 – 6 hours under very low heat. The infusion is best done between 180-200°F. For temperature measurements, use a candy thermometer.

After infusing, turn off the heat and allow the butter to cool. Place the fine-mesh sieve over a container and pour the butter through it. Press any marijuana left behind to ensure all the butter gets through. Your vegan cannabutter is ready. You can store it in a fridge for up to 6 months and take it out of it as the need arises.

Tips For Making Safe Vegan Cannabutter

If you're going to be trying your hands on CBD or cannabis edibles, you must dive in armed with information that will enable you to get the best results. One of such is knowing how to make safe or if you like, consumable cannabutter.

1. The process takes time: The process of making good cannabutter is not something you want to rush. The heating and infusion process takes time.
2. Start with a comfortable dosage: we cannot emphasize this point too much. As you begin, you'd be better off sticking to the recommended dosing, unless, of course, you want to try more – at your own risk. You can add more whenever you feel like it, but most importantly, you need to keep in mind the number of edibles you're making. This enables you to add just the amount needed to go round for each piece and nothing more. You will need a precision scale and for accurate measurement.
3. Do not overheat or scald the cannabis: during decarboxylation and infusion stages, it is possible to overheat and render the cannabinoid impotent or scald the cannabis bud with the hot butter. Get a candy thermometer to help you monitor the temperature.
4. Choose an ideal cannabis strain: There are diverse kinds of weed out there. Besides buying from a regulated store, you may need to pick a cannabis strain that is ideal for your need.

Vegan cannabis edibles are becoming more available as cannabis companies continue to satisfy the growing demand. Edibles provide an intense and long-lasting experience for recreational and medical consumers.

Fortunately, vegan edible makers are crafting small-batch and scrumptious snacks and drinks to increase accessibility to marijuana. Whether you’re on a hike or relaxing at home, these vegan edibles let you enjoy your favorite treats with a hint of THC.

Coconut oil is just one of the resources that you can use for making cannabutter at home. You can visit CTU to learn more about cooking with cannabis or get certified in a professional cannabis program.