Herb-infused oils have become a staple in kitchens and wellness routines, offering a delightful blend of flavour and health benefits. Herb-infused oils, made by steeping dried herbs in a carrier oil, enhance cooking and add natural healing benefits, especially when using cannabis.
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Simple Cannabis Oil Making
Some people recommend infusing the oil in a mason jar stuffed with weed for weeks on end. We can do so much better than that! The POT by NOIDS herb cooker efficiently creates potent oil infusions, ideal for cooking edibles or making CBD balm. There are just two things to decide on, really.
- Do you want your oil to be rich in CBD or THC?
- Which oil do you want to use?
Understanding the Decarboxylation Process
Decarboxylation transforms acidic cannabis compounds like THCA and CBDA in dried cannabis buds into psychoactive THC or therapeutic CBD. The POT by NOIDS transforms the game with automated precision, making success simple and providing excellent results for users. Here’s how it works:
The POT by NOIDS transforms the decarboxylation process with precision akin to that of a laboratory, ensuring unparalleled accuracy. The glass beaker has a built-in sensor that connects with the main unit. It adjusts the temperature and duration of decarboxylation based on the amount of herb, its moisture, and the room conditions.
Twisting the main unit to different settings produces a chime, and the bottom lights up to confirm your selection.
- THC-dominant strains: 115°C (239°F) for 1.5 to 4 hours.
- CBD-dominant strains: 110°C (230°F) for 1.5 to 2.5 hours.
Best Carrier Oil For Infusing Herbs
- Olive oil is great for food of a savoury nature and salad dressings – not so good in a sweet dish, though. It works well in skincare, especially foot creams.
- Coconut oil, whether liquid or solid, is the most common choice for creating herb-infused oils and is effective in cooking. However, it can feel a little greasy in skincare.
- Butter or Ghee gives an amazing flavour to savoury dishes, and Ghee is the better choice. These are for cooking only.
- Rice Bran oil is a neutral-flavoured, high-heat oil suitable for both sweet and savoury dishes, offering more versatility. It is also one of the best oils to use in skincare, making this oil a very popular choice.
- Sunflower oil is a great all-rounder for cooking and skincare. However, the price escalated quickly with recent world events in Ukraine.
- Grape Seed oil works well as an herb-infused oil for cooking but can feel a little rough or dry in skincare products. It does depend on what product is made, though.
- MCT oil has a neutral flavour and is popular to use in bulletproof coffee, a popular cannabis-infused coffee drink. In skincare, it sinks in amazingly fast and feels dry on the skin and not oily at all.
The one common link with all these oils and fats is that they are heat-stable. They will not be damaged when heated in the POT by NOIDS. The PBN heats to an exact temperature, maximising oil extraction from the cannabis while protecting the oil from damage.
One thing to consider when choosing your oil or butter is the fat content. The higher the fat content, the more THC it is capable of absorbing. That is why Ghee is such a good choice in brownies and cookies.
Add your decarbed herb (remember to select for CBD or THC first) and set the machine going. There will be no smell in the home as the lid fits very well.
Then add your oil or fat and, again, choose which infusion setting you want – CBD or THC. You should decarb and infuse for the same result – either do both for CBD or both for THC. Don’t mix up the settings.
When the machine has finished, strain the herb-infused oil out, and the oil can be used right away or stored in a bottle or jar and kept in the fridge for later. The POT by NOIDS comes with its own filter device, which is so much more effective than using cheesecloth or gloves. The filter delivers clean oil with no bits left in.
Tips and Hacks:
- For decarboxylating up to 10 grams of cannabis for THC, use the filter set with the filter 1 cm above the herb instead of the standard flat silicone lid.
- Use oven gloves to handle the container after infusing butter or ghee, as it will be very hot. You need to strain it right away, as it will start to firm up as it cools down.
- Oils like olive and rice bran can be allowed to cool down in the glass beaker if you want, as they don’t solidify.
- The filter and jar can be easily cleaned with dish soap and hot water, or in the dishwasher if you prefer.
How the Pot by Noids Enhances Flavour
You can infuse herbs and spices in just the same way, except they don’t need to be decarboxylated first. Be creative and think of what would tickle your taste buds!
- Chilli flakes and lemon zest.
- Rosemary, oregano, and garlic.
- Thyme, black peppercorns, and a cardamom pod.
Put some extra dried ingredients in the bottle to add colour and more flavouring. These herb-infused oils will last for many months, taste incredible, and be a fraction of the cost of store-bought oils.
Herbal Extraction for Eczema and Psoriasis
There are many herbal extracts that are excellent for helping care for eczema and psoriasis. Again, there is no need to decarboxylate the dried herbs. Calendula, Horsetail, Lady’s Mantle, and many more detailed here: 8 Best Herbs for Treating Eczema Naturally. They can be used in this Simple Cream Recipe.
How Long Does the Oil Last After Infusion?
It depends on the oil used. All of the ones I have recommended are heat-stable and have a good shelf life of at least a year. Don’t leave your infused oils in direct sunlight, as that encourages oxidation, which leads to rancidity. Honestly, you will have used the oils up in no time!
Conclusion
Herb-infused oils have become popular in our kitchens and self-care routines, offering delicious flavours and soothing benefits. Infusing dried herbs in a carrier oil adds flavor and natural benefits to cooking, especially when cannabis is included. They’re a natural way to enhance meals and boost well-being, using natural ingredients.
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