Why Decarboxylation is Important for Making Edibles
When making edibles, you need to decarboxylate your weed.
When you smoke cannabis, the compound THCA is converted into THC, which then enters your bloodstream and produces the "high" feeling. THC is the primary compound in cannabis responsible for most of its medicinal benefits as well as its psychoactive properties.
To put it simply, when you smoke cannabis, the heat from the flame used to light your joint decarboxylates the plant, transforming the non-active compound THCA into the active compound THC. Without this process, you wouldn't experience any of the psychoactive effects.
When making edibles, you still need to decarboxylate your plant material. While cooking the cannabis in a recipe may activate some THC, combining it with other ingredients reduces its exposure to heat, preventing you from maximizing its full potential. To ensure optimal conversion of THCA to THC in your edibles, you should decarboxylate the cannabis before cooking with it.
How do You Decarboxylate Your Cannabis?
1. Preheat your oven to 140°C (or 284°F).
2. Line a baking pan with parchment paper and cut your cannabis flower into small, pea-sized chunks. Include all parts of the flower, such as stems and shake, and stick to one strain for consistent results.
3. Bake in the center of the oven for 20-30 minutes. You’re aiming for an even toasting that achieves a golden-green color. Remove it from the oven when you think you’ve reached this stage.
4. For the best results, use an oven thermometer and ensure the temperature stays between 115°C and 146°C (239°F to 295°F). Exceeding 150°C (302°F) can degrade or destroy the cannabinoids.
5. Allow the cannabis to cool down completely to room temperature.
6. Finely chop the cannabis (a food processor works best) and then transfer it to an airtight sealable container, storing it away from sunlight.
Now your decarboxylation is complete, and you’re ready to start cooking!
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Liz Filmer
