What is CBD Olive Oil?

CBD olive oil and salad

Cannabidiol (or CBD) is the second most prevalent active ingredient in cannabis. CBD is derived directly from the hemp plant. Hemp is defined as having less than .3% tetrahydrocannabinol known as THC. CBD is commonly used in topical creams, massage oils, and bath bombs. And now, some artisanal oil providers are making extra virgin olive oils that contain CBD.

 

Pot d'huile cbd olive oil

But first things first: where does it stand legally, and how might it affect you physically and mentally? In the U.S., legality of CBD products differs across states, so it’s important to check where things stand in your region before making a purchase. CBD isn’t psychoactive, but it’s wise to learn about the potential CBD side effects before deciding whether it’s a product that is right for you. Proponents of CBD products have cited reduced anxiety and pain relief as possible benefits connected to CBD use.

 

CBD Flavor

Urban Xtracts olive oil with 1000mg CBD

So, how does CBD impact the flavor of olive oil? Steve Bate, VP of Sales and Business Development at urbanXtracts, based in New York, describes it as “very earthy”. But, Bate claims, the CBD doesn’t distract from the olive oil, it adds to it. “The flavor is phenomenal,” he says. The company produces a 1000mg olive oil, and recommends 60mg, or 1 tablespoon, of CBD per serving. 

When developing the product, the main challenges that the team faced related to tweaking the flavor to get it just right. “It took a little bit [of time] to kind of go through those reiterations to make sure it was really what we wanted it to be”, Bate says. He recommends the product for salad dressing and pasta dishes, and he points out that CBD olive oil is gaining traction with some chefs. “There’s a really high-end restaurant in Connecticut… that was using it for oysters with caviar,” he says. 

Jenny’s is another New York brand that is producing CBD products, including olive oil. Jenny’s Premium Full-spectrum CBD Olive Oil is made from olives grown in the United States and has a mellow flavor profile with a subtle fruity aroma. For those that do find that CBD olive oils have a slight bitter note, Jennifer Argie suggests using them for desserts.  

 

Cooking with CBD Olive Oil

Jenny's CBD olive oil

  • Use at low temperatures

  • Use in cold dishes

  • Use for finishing

  • Explore flavored oils

  • Start with low dosages

“Low temperature is key to cooking with CBD hemp oil,” Argie points out. A little heat is okay, but she cautions that very high temperatures could burn the CBD olive oil, changing its flavor and lowering its effectiveness. “To maintain the potency of your CBD, avoid recipes that call for temperatures above 350 degrees Fahrenheit,” Argie says. Naturally, this might mean that Jenny’s oil isn’t the right choice for stir frying. “For best results, save your CBD hemp oil for dressings, smoothies, dips, shakes, sauces, cold soups and pesto,” she says.

 

Juju flavored CBD olive oils

With plenty of CBD infused olive oils available, including oils flavored with herbs, spices, and garlic such as the ones from Juju Royal, there’s plenty for the curious cook to explore. But before you start adding CBD olive oil to your favorite meals, make sure you decide how much CBD you’d like to consume. Pot D’Huile recommends using their hemp-infused olive oil as a finishing oil and measuring with a calibrated measuring spoon or cup. For incorporating into a recipe, they suggest determining the dosage for the recipe (by calculating intended dosage per serving and servings per recipe), and adding the recipe dosage to a measuring cup. If additional olive oil is needed, non-CBD infused olive oil can be added to the measuring cup, before mixing the oils together.  

 
EducationHollie Stephens