Tea or herbal infusions are enjoyed around the world and are a great way to relax and unwind or enjoy a warm and comforting drink on a cold day. Tea usually refers specifically to beverages made from Camellia sinensis leaves. However, we are going to use the term interchangeably with herbal infusions, which are made from a wide. variety of different plants and herbs. Chamomile, peppermint, and lemon balm are some popular examples.
Hemp leaves and flowers are becoming more and more popular as an infusion for a number of reasons. They are not only a source of hydration but also have medicinal properties. They can be used as a natural remedy for various ailments such as stress, anxiety, insomnia, digestive problems, and many more. And let us not forget just how unique the taste is. It really takes the experience to another level with its spicy, bitter flavor.
How is hemp tea manufactured and do different hemp teas exist?
Both the leaves and flowers of the cannabis plant can be used to make hemp tea. The leaves and flowers are harvested and dried, sometimes ground for more convenient storage and packaging. However, hemp tea can also be made from fresh material, which provides a stronger aroma and flavor. Sometimes smaller stems of the plant and seeds are present, which add an enhanced woody flavor.
Hemp tea from young leaves
Young Cannabis Sativa L. leaves are dried immediately after cutting. This can be done on the same plants daily until the plant starts flowering. The infusion from young leaves has a full-bodied aroma and tastes milder and greener. Compared to the flowers, the leaves of the cannabis plant contain fewer cannabinoids. These types of teas are usually found in tea bags or mixed with other herbs.
Hemp tea from mature flowers
The flowers for hemp tea are cut at full maturity and dried slowly. Curing is a common practice with flower teas. This is a process that breaks down the chlorophyll so the tea doesn’t taste so green. After the flowers have been cured, they bring out a strong, resinous, peppery flavor. Hemp flower tea will have a higher cannabinoid content and therefore may have more perceptible effects. The flowers can be purchased ground. More premium hemp teas contain the whole cannabis flower.
Will I get the benefits of CBD and other cannabinoids by drinking hemp tea?
Cannabinoids, the active ingredients in hemp teas, are not water-soluble. Therefore, the water will not absorb the cannabinoids no matter how hot your water is or how long you steep the plant material. Of course, the tea will still have a lot of benefits, but the effect will not be similar to, say, CBD drops.
Making CBD tea
The classic cannabis infusion is basically made in the same way as any other herbal infusion. The water is boiled, cooled down a bit, and then we let it steep in the plant material for a couple of minutes. However, when using cannabis tea for cannabinoid intake, we need to tweak the process a bit.
Adding fat to the tea
Cannabinoids are molecules that are soluble in fat. The cannabinoids will bind to our drink when we add a source of fat.
- Bring a pot of water to a boil.
- While the water is boiling, place the loose-leaf tea or tea bag in the teapot.
- When the water comes to a boil, pour it over the tea leaves or tea bag.
- Add your favorite fat of choice. One teaspoon per cup is sufficient.
- Allow the tea to steep for 1-5 minutes, depending on how strong you like your tea. Stir occasionally.
- Remove the tea leaves or tea bag from the pot, pour the tea into a cup, and enjoy!
As an oil that complements the flavor of hemp tea well, we recommend coconut oil. If we want a neutral flavor, MCT oil is also a good choice. Milk can be added as well.
Adding alcohol to the tea
In addition to being soluble in fats, CBD, CBG, and the rest of the beneficial compounds that we want to ingest, are also soluble in alcohol. The process is very similar.
- Bring a pot of water to a boil.
- While the water is boiling, place the loose-leaf tea or tea bag in the teapot.
- When the water comes to a boil, let it cool for 10 minutes as we do not want the alcohol to evaporate too quickly.
- Pour over the plant material and add the alcohol. Two teaspoons per cup will suffice.
- Allow the tea to steep for 1-5 minutes, depending on how strong you like your tea. Stir occasionally.
- Remove the tea leaves or bag from the pot, pour the tea into a cup, and enjoy!
*We must add a strong type of alcohol, about 40% is best. The type doesn’t matter, whiskey, vodka, or rum, it depends on your taste.
Adding CBD oil drops directly into the tea
This method is a quick workaround to the methods above. If you already have CBD oil drops on hand (or an ethanol CBD tincture) it is really easy. You can simply add your desired dose of CBD directly to your brewed hemp tea. You can also add CBD drops to any other type of herbal infusion, or you can even add it to coffee. But in our opinion, it is the best complement to hemp tea!
