Contents
CBD chocolate is a form of edibles that are catching up with CBD gummies and appealing to chocoholics worldwide.
Consumers worried about the health issues associated with smoking are always looking for healthier alternatives to consume their preferred cannabis strain. Vaping looks like a convenient alternative to smoking, but for most people it still may not be a favorable choice.
What Is CBD Chocolate?
CBD chocolate derives its name from one of cannabis’ main components (or “cannabinoids”) called CBD. Cannabinoids are extracted from the cannabis plant, and two of the most well-known are CBD and THC – THC being the psychoactive compound found in marijuana.
You might be thinking that the combination of cannabis and chocolate might be odd and not all tasty. In fact, it is a match made in heaven.
The Benefits of Cannabis Chocolate
The earthy, flavorful taste of cannabis combined with the rich chocolaty flavor results in a divinely delicious treat that you will appreciate as a chocoholic and cannabis consumer.
CBD chocolate is a form of edibles, so it passes into your blood through your digestive system. Once absorbed, you can experience the cannabinoid’s effects.
Like all edibles, it will usually take a while for the cannabis to kick in, but once it does, you are in for its treats, as it lasts considerably longer than cannabis consumed otherwise.
Consuming Cannabis Chocolate
A piece of the CBD bar should be left in your mouth for a little while to break down and dissolve with your saliva. This allows your sublingual tissues to better transport the CBD into your system.
Like all other foods you ingest, the CBD bar will end up in your stomach and will be processed firstly by your intestinal lining and will then be transported to your liver, where it is processed and transported to your brain through your blood.
How Does It Taste?
Like gummies and all other CBD by-products, the bitter and sometimes earthy aftertaste of hemp is masked with the sweet taste of the chocolate.
Generally, the taste of the CBD is mild or nonexistent. This is because the CBD isolate used to create most chocolate bars is in crystallized form, and is known for being completely odorless and tasteless.
Choosing Your Ideal Product and Seller
If you’re opting to buy your items online, some cautionary guidelines should be followed. It’s highly advisable to dig a bit deeper when searching for your ideal CBD chocolate, like a Lulu’s chocolate bar, rather than simply choosing the best flavor and price.
When it comes to cannabis products, price should never be the main determining factor of your purchase. Especially when it comes to CBD, lower prices can often mean a lower-quality product.
The legal CBD market is very much under regulated. Unfortunately this means that it is very easy for less-than-trustworthy companies to bring their products to the market. In choosing your ideal CBD edible, always be sure that:
- The seller posts all lab results for their products publicly,
- That all lab tests are conducted by a third party, and
- That the price point isn’t too low, as this is an indication that the CBD quality may not be great.
It’s also advisable to choose companies who have fairly traded products, especially when it comes to the cacao beans used in their CBD bar.
A Word About Lab Testing
Lab testing in CBD products proves a company’s reputation for quality products. Lab tests are typically carried out by well-established CBD companies, as it can be a pricey process. If the company can afford third-party lab testing, then they are likely well established.
Testing of their products not only proves that the items are free from contaminants and harmful chemicals, but it also proves the CBD content is as stated on the label.
Furthermore, all tests should be conducted by a third-party lab. Testing done internally by the company could mean that results are biased, and favor only their products.
If lab results are not easily found on the company’s website, it’s highly advisable to continue your search elsewhere.
Also, be prepared to pay for quality. As manufacturing quality CBD products is not a cheap process, it’s safe to assume that a company is well-established if they have higher prices, and can afford the appropriate testing.
Is CBD Chocolate Legal?
This question is very normal because the legalization process is always evolving, and new laws are continuously being introduced.
The short answer: CBD chocolate is legal in the U.S. if the THC dosage does not exceed 0.3%.
Even though hemp (the cannabis plant by which CBD is derived) does not cause psychoactive effects as with it’s cannabis cousin marijuana, hemp plants do hold very small trace amounts of THC. However these trace amounts are not enough to cause a typical “high”.
As long as your CBD product is tested below 0.3% THC, it is legal according to U.S. standards. However, it is very important to check your local and state laws before buying, consuming, or shipping any CBD product.
Why Is This?
Despite hemp being legal on the federal level, the FDA issued a warning against CBD edibles’ consumption due to the lack of sufficient research on them. Despite this warning, CBD edibles are being manufactured and sold by many companies in different states.
At the time of writing, CBD edibles are illegal in New York City, North Carolina, South Carolina, Maine, and Ohio. This contradiction in terms of legalization of CBD between the states and the federal government and the ever-changing nature of these laws are reason enough to check the regulations in your state, before completing a purchase.
How To Dose CBD Chocolate
Whatever you do, you must resist the urge to consume the entire CBD chocolate bar in one sitting. Each bar should contain a specific dosage that should always be followed with care.
If you purchase a CBD bar with 120 mg CBD and it contains 12 small squares, the dose is 10 mg per piece. Finding which dosage works best for you can take time and experimentation.
However, always follow the principle of “less is more”. If you’re not sure how much to have, start with one piece and work your way up, hour by hour, as digestion can take some time.
If you have a sweet tooth, sticking to the recommended dose will be a challenge, but in the world of cannabis edibles dosage control is very important.
How to Make A CBD Bar At Home (RECIPES)
Now that you’re fully aware of how to purchase CBD products online, you may prefer to make your own!
Making CBD chocolate is a very straightforward process that does not require a lot of equipment or cooking experience. Even if you fancy yourself the worst cook in the world, you can make these simple CBD confections using the easy instructions below.
Remember, choosing the ideal amount of CBD oil can be tricky. Just be sure that you are including the right amount of CBD for the entire bar (most bars range from 10mg all the way to 100mg and beyond). Of course, be sure to only include your personal preference for dosage.
To make CBD confections at home, all you need are some basic ingredients, and you can customize your chocolate bar the way you want by adding different flavors, nuts, and dried fruits.
Recipe #1: The Classic CBD Bar
Ingredients:
- 1 cup coconut butter or regular unsalted butter
- 1 cup dark or white chocolate of your choice (break it down into small pieces, or use chips for easy melting)
- ½ cup maple syrup, corn syrup, or honey
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract or any other flavor of your choice
- CBD oil, measured to desired dosage
Cooking Gear:
- 1-2 candy or chocolate bar molds
Instructions
- Create a double boiler by placing a pot filled with 1-2 inches of water on your stove, then place a heat-resistant saucer or dish over the top. The bottom of the inner dish should not touch the water.
- First, you add the butter to the inner pot, and allow it to melt on low heat. Be sure to observe it closely so it does not burn.
- When you notice that most of the butter is melted, you can now add the chocolate pieces to your butter and stir well to combine the butter and chocolate.
- Next, take the inner saucer off the heat and let it cool for a few minutes – but do not let it reach the hardening point.
- When it is just cool enough and still viscous, add the honey, extract of your choice (vanilla works well with chocolate), and of course, your CBD oil. Mix well.
- Pour your chocolate into the mold, and even out the top using the back of a spoon as best you can.
- Cover with plastic wrap or foil and allow to cool in the freezer before serving.
Note: to make your CBD chocolate more exciting and flavorful, you can add some roasted nuts, dried fruits, lemon or orange zest, and/or sea salt. These little additions will intensify the flavor and make your chocolate crunchier and more delicious.
Recipe #2: Minty Candy-Filled Chocolate
Here is a more complex recipe to make tasty stuffed chocolate with an amazingly fulfilling mint flavor that will surely please your taste buds.
Ingredients:
- Peppermint CBD oil
- 1 cup dark or white chocolate of your choice (break it down into small pieces, or use chips for easy melting)
- 1 cup unsalted butter
- Crushed peppermint or candy canes to taste
- CBD oil, measured to desired dosage
Cooking gear:
- A kitchen mallet or hammer to break chocolate and candy canes
- A Hammer to break the candy into small chunks.
- 1-2 candy or chocolate bar molds
Instructions
- Create a double boiler by placing a pot filled with 1-2 inches of water on your stove, then place a heat-resistant saucer or dish over the top. The bottom of the inner dish should not touch the water.
- Once the chocolate is melted, add the butter and frequently stir until mixture is well combined and smooth.
- when you get the desired consistency and the two ingredients are very well combined, take the bowl off the stove and allow it to cool, but not harden.
- When the chocolate is cool enough, you can add your peppermint CBD oil according to your personal dosage preferences.
- Pouring the chocolate into the molds. This can get very messy, so you can use a measuring cup to pour the chocolate, especially if you have smaller molds.
- Place your candy canes or any other type of peppermint hard candy into a zip lock bag and smash it with your food hammer.
- Sprinkle the candy pieces on the chocolate molds and put them in the freezer for 2 hours before serving.
Recipe #3: Raw Coconut Truffles with CBD
Ingredients:
- 6 tablespoons raw cacao butter
- 2 tablespoons coconut oil
- 1 cup shredded coconut
- ¼ cup raw honey
- 3/4 cup cacao powder
- 1 teaspoon vanilla
- 1 tablespoon cacao nibs
- 2 teaspoons shredded coconut
- CBD oil, measured to desired dosage
Cooking gear:
- 1 baking sheet or serving tray lined with parchment paper
- A small bowl for toppings (i.e. shredded coconut and/or chopped nuts)
Instructions:
- Create a double boiler by placing a pot filled with 1-2 inches of water on your stove, then place a heat-resistant saucer or dish over the top. The bottom of the inner dish should not touch the water.
- Add the cacao butter in the inner bowl. Melt slowly and stir for 1-2 minutes until it begins to melt.
- Whisk in the coconut oil and honey until melted.
- Add the cacao powder and vanilla and mix until evenly melted.
- Remove the bowl from heat, and allow to cool for several minutes. Stir to combine the CD oil and chocolate mixture.
- Refrigerate the mixture for 30-40 minutes or until the chocolate is firm enough to handle, but do not let it harden. The chocolate should be a thick “dough” consistency.
- Scoop out 1-tbsp. Portions of the mixture, and roll them in your hands to form a smooth ball.
- Roll each ball into shredded coconut and/or chopped nuts for topping.
- Place each ball on a parchment-lined tray, then place the tray back in the refrigerator for 10-15 minutes before serving.
- Store in an airtight container and refrigerate for up to two weeks, or store in a cool dry place for up to one week.
The Final Word
If you are new to edibles and would like to try your first CBD bar, we recommend that you consider all the information mentioned above to make your experience as pleasant as possible.
Even if making your own confections at home isn’t for you, knowing how to choose your CBD product online (as mentioned above) is key. This is not only not only to protect your personal needs, but also to uphold good standards within the CBD industry as a whole.
Making your own CBD infused chocolate can be a delightful experience. Still, we understand it is not something that you can do every time you want to treat yourself to a delicious CBD bar.
Whether you make them yourself or choose to buy them from a reputable seller, always remember to start slow when consuming any cannabis edible. It’s important to gauge the effects of a single dose before consuming more. That said, be safe – and enjoy!
