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What Does CBD Oil Taste Like? Ways To Find Out The 2024 Best Taste
Updated on
- Written by Lakshmi Vemuri, Former Health & Wellness Writer
Medically reviewed by
Kimberly Langdon, MD
In a world of hurry-scurry stressful life, a lot of people look for something that could help them relax. CBD oil is one of the popular choices for many people for that purpose. They like the way it makes them feel relaxed and rested from all the stress. However, many do not appreciate the taste of CBD oil. It has a reputation for having an unpleasant and earthy taste that is not tolerable for many. But there are many questions such as “How does it taste and where does it get its taste from?” “Does CBD oil get you high?” In this read, you will learn everything about flavored CBD oil and its taste.
What Does CBD Oil Taste Like?
The taste of CBD oils differs greatly from each other. For example, crude CBD oil has a raw earthy taste with a strong flavor. And, we have full-spectrum CBD oil which tastes similar to hemp oil. On the other hand, CBD isolates taste plain and dull, which makes them an excellent choice to be added to food or drinks. The taste of CBD oil also depends on the terpenes and type of base used, whether it is olive or hemp seed.
CBD Oil Taste
Full-spectrum CBD oil has a hemp-like taste than isolated CBD, as a full-spectrum CBD oil contains more than one isolated cannabinoid.[1] Moreover, high-quality full-spectrum CBD oils do not contain plant matter like chlorophyll or waxes, but they have chemical compounds like terpenes, other cannabinoids, and flavonoids.
Full-spectrum CBD oil extracts are carefully filtered and mixed with base oil. Here, the type of carrier oil used will have a great influence on the taste of the final product. Moreover, the golden consistency of CBD oil is a key indicator that it has been filtered properly from excess plant matter.
Crude Oil
Moreover, crude oil is an unprocessed oil that contains several cannabinoids, and terpenes along with plant matter like chlorophyll, waxes, and other contents that give it a very unpleasant taste. These appear in black, dark green, and brown colors. This CBD oil has an uneven consistency with an earthy taste. Avoid these carrier oils as they have a very strong flavor to them.
Whereas broad-spectrum CBD oil contains several compounds such as cannabinoids from cannabis plants and terpenes such as myrcene, limonene, and pinene. Broad-spectrum CBD oil does not contain THC (tetrahydrocannabinol). This class may produce heightened effects due to the presence of additional compounds but not high effects due to the absence of THC. Depending on the terpenes the flavors may be citrusy, piney, and fresh.
On the other hand, CBD isolates do not have any unique flavor. CBD isolate is a pure form of CBD crystals. They do not have any distinctive smell or taste. CBD Isolates do not contain the psychoactive component, THC. CBD isolates are available in white crystals or powder form. They can be added to food or liquids.
There will not be any taste alterations. Even when vaped, it is quite tasteless. However, some people feel it tastes vaguely like a cherry. CBD isolate can be mixed with base oils like coconut oil, or MCT oil to change the flavor for sublingual consumption.
Olive Oil Vs. Hemp Seed Oil Base
The most common carrier oils used are olive oil and hemp seed oil. Both have their unique flavor and have a great influence on the taste of the final product. CBD oils that have an olive oil base will taste similar to cooking oils that are grassy, nutty, and smooth.
These oils are often reported to have less intense flavor. Whereas, CBD oils with hemp seed oil base have a nuttier taste than other oils. Hemp seed oils are often said to taste like sunflower seeds and walnuts. Due to its nutty flavor, it is also used as a cooking oil.
Liposomal Oils Base
Liposomes are phospholipids.[2] They protect CBD and other active components from digestive enzymes when consumed. This group of CBD oil is highly bioavailable as liposomal encapsulation enhances the bioavailability of medicine. This process can prolong the effect of medicine and reduce the dosage. This class of CBD oil may have different tastes based on how it’s produced and the contents. Liposomes alone do not have any flavor, so the taste is influenced by other contents. For example, some liposomal oils may have vitamin C extract that significantly alters the flavor.
What Is CBD Oil And How To Find The Right One?
CBD oil is extracted from the cannabis hemp plant and is relatively tasteless. But if the oil contains CBD-rich extract, where the extract comes from leaves, stems, and flowers of cannabis plants, it may contain a unique taste as it preserves all the natural compounds that give the original flavor.
All CBD oils do not taste the same. Depending on what it’s made of and how it’s processed, one could have a distinct taste from others. The trick is to find what different flavors and tastes they have in them so that you can mask them or change the flavors to make them more appetizing. Some CBD oils have earthy flavors and a leafy, grassy taste to them. In most cases, the flavor of the CBD oil will depend on its extracts, like if it’s purified or filtered and the oil base used. Base oils like olive oil and hemp seed oil are used to carry it.
If you find CBD oil to taste earthy, grass-like, or nutty, it is an authentic, natural, non-toxic, and safe product. The pleasant and palatable CBD oil taste is a sign that the product is infused with artificial flavors.
What Are Terpenes And How Are They Responsible For Taste?
Terpenes are aromatic compounds that are in many plants but are present in high concentrations in cannabis which gives distinctive cannabis flavors. There are hundreds of terpenes with medicinal properties.[3]
When terpenes are combined with CBD oil they relieve stress and promote relaxation to the consumer. They also have antibacterial and anti-inflammatory effects. Each terpene has its distinctive flavor.
These flavors play a significant role in distinguishing the effects of various cannabis strains. Terpenes give them an identifiable flavor profile with different types of aromas and CBD tastes. This enables consumers to find the terpene type that fits their taste.
Pinene terpene tastes like pine, and myrcene terpene has an herbal taste. Whereas, caryophyllene has a pepper taste, and limonene has a citrusy taste. And, Terpinolene has a fruity taste. Pinene and myrcene terpenes have a calming effect. Limonene and terpinolene terpenes have energizing properties.
What Is The Sublingual Administration Of CBD Oil?
If you have ever wondered why most CBD products come with instructions like “put CBD oil under the tongue, wait for 30 seconds, and then swallow” ” it’s because the tongue has a major branch of blood vessels underneath it.
When you let the CBD oil sit under the tongue for 30 to 60 seconds or even longer, the cannabidiol gets absorbed directly by the bloodstream. This is known as sublingual administration.
Although this route of administration maximizes the absorption of CBD, it doesn’t help in covering up the taste. Moreover, our tongue is loaded with taste buds at the sides and bottom as well. So, by consuming this way, it is unavoidable to get the full flavor, if you are taking your CBD medication.
Does CBD Oil Get You High?
CBD oil is among the popular CBD products used for various purposes. You can take it sublingually or add it to food, drinks, or even vape pens. Some of these products are said to promote relaxation and relieve anxiety and depression.[4] High concentrations of CBD may give an uplifting effect which is not the same thing as high.
Although CBD can be extracted from the cannabis plant, CBD can’t take you into a state of euphoria as high as marijuana or THC. CBD may help you feel less anxious and relaxed but won’t make you high if you use CBD-infused oils, edibles, tinctures, or other products. Talk to your doctor before consuming CBD products.
How To Mask The Taste Of CBD Oil?
The most popular trick is to hold your nose while consuming CBD. By blocking the sense of smell, one can lose up to half of their ability to taste. The second most popular one is to choose your favorite flavored CBD oils. Eat something that tastes sweet alongside CBD or eat CBD gummies. You can also use CBD capsules instead of CBD oil.
Brushing your teeth before consuming CBD oil works too. Make use of the flavor of toothpaste to nullify certain CBD tastes. If you have been taking CBD oil to relieve the pain, you can try other products like CBD topicals, balms, and gels. You can also have a drink or food after consuming CBD oil to get rid of the not-so-pleasant CBD taste.
Conclusion
It’s so unfortunate that some of the most useful products like CBD oil are unpleasant to the human palate. However, the market now has a wide range of flavors to choose from. And certainly, everyone will find at least one flavor that they can tolerate. Last but not least, one must consult a doctor before using any CBD product.
+ 4 sources
Health Canal avoids using tertiary references. We have strict sourcing guidelines and rely on peer-reviewed studies, academic researches from medical associations and institutions. To ensure the accuracy of articles in Health Canal, you can read more about the editorial process here
- Jennifer Clay Cather and J. Christian Cather (2020). Cannabidiol primer for healthcare professionals. [online] 33(3), pp.376–379. doi:https://doi.org/10.1080/08998280.2020.1775437.
- S. Dean Allison (2007). Liposomal Drug Delivery. [online] 30(2), pp.89–95. doi:https://doi.org/10.1097/01.nan.0000264712.26219.67.
- Destinney Cox-Georgian, Niveditha Ramadoss, Dona, C. and Basu, C. (2019). Therapeutic and Medicinal Uses of Terpenes. [online] pp.333–359. doi:https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-31269-5_15.
- Rafael, Pinho, N., Carvalho, D., Sergio A.S. Machado, Arias-Carrión, O., Alexandre, J., Antonio Waldo Zuardi, Antonio Egidio Nardi and Silva, A.R. (2014). Antidepressant-Like and Anxiolytic-Like Effects of Cannabidiol: A Chemical Compound of Cannabis sativa. [online] 13(6), pp.953–960. doi:https://doi.org/10.2174/1871527313666140612114838.
Written by:
Lakshmi Vemuri, Former Health & Wellness Writer
Medically reviewed by:
Medically reviewed by:
