How to Sous Weed: Sponsored by How to Do the Pot
Today we’re going back to the basics with a cannabis infusion recipe using the sous vide method, sponsored by How to Do the Pot, a podcast all about demystifying cannabis for women.
How to Do the Pot shares women’s personal stories and advice from experts to help with solutions around stress, sleep, sex & chronic pain - with the goal of helping women feel more confident in their choices about cannabis. Every week, you can listen to fun, short episodes that answer all the questions women secretly Google about cannabis.
While 3 out of 4 women in the U.S. have access to legal cannabis, there is still so much to learn about this healing plant. Check out episodes on:
Cooking with cannabis with 5 chef-approved tips
Microdosing benefits and practical tips from a nurse
The best strains for sex
How to buy weed if you’re unsure where to start
Autoimmune diseases and pharmaceutical side effects
How to get out of a creative rut
In terms of tools for this simple tutorial, I use the Ardent FX to effectively decarboxylate my flower and fully activate the THC or CBD with the touch of a button. While there are other ways to decarb, this is my favorite method.
You will also need a sous vide machine for your infusions. Not only is it great for making multiple infusions at once, it’s also useful for your daily cooking needs. I’ve worked on two sous vide cookbooks and let me tell ya, you will never eat overcooked steak or chicken ever again. It also makes a killer creme brûlée.
Back to Basics: Sous Vide Cannabis Infusions
Step 1:
Use cannabis or hemp CBD flower that’s been lab tested for safety and for its potency. I used Oregon Guava, an incredibly aromatic CBD flower from East Fork Cultivar. This flower is legal in all 50 states under the Farm Bill Act. For a small batch of oil, use 4 grams of flower*. You can add more or less flower depending on desired potency of your oil.
Step 2:
To decarboxylate, place your whole cannabis flower in the Ardent FX and select A1 to activate THC. If using hemp flower or a high CBD cannabis flower, select A2 to activate the CBD. With the decarboxylation process, the THC or CBD in the flower will activate to a higher potency before you infuse it into your oil or fat base.
Step 3:
The decarboxylated flower should smell nutty and toasty. Now it’s ready to be used in your oil infusion. Add the flower into a quart-sized freezer-safe zip bag, vacuum-seal bag, silicone sous vide bag, or even a mason jar**!
Add in 8 ounces of oil of your choice and be sure to push out the air out of the bags before sealing. This will ensure the bags stay submerged underwater. The wonderful thing about the sous vide method is, you can make multiple infusions at once! Here I have coconut oil, olive oil, butter, avocado oil, and sesame oil about to go into a water bath.
Step 4:
Set your sous vide water bath to 85ºC (185ºF). Once the sous vide water bath has reached its temp, submerge the sealed bags or jars in the water bath. Sous vide for 4 hours.
After it’s finished infusing, gently remove from the water bath using tongs.
Step 5:
Using a fine mesh strainer or cheese cloth, strain out the solids and discard the spent flower. Store infused oils like sesame, avocado, coconut, and olive in airtight jars and in a cool dark place. Infused butter, lard, or other animals fat should be stored in the fridge.
Step 6:
Use the infused oils in a variety of dishes! From appetizers to dessert to beverages, the possibilities are endless.
*Note: The amount of cannabis oil specified in this recipe is a very loose suggestion; the actual amount you use should be modified based on the strength of your oil and the potency you desire. Dosing homemade edibles can be tricky, so the best way to test for potency is to start with one portion of a serving, in this case, one teaspoon, and wait one to two hours, then make an informed decision on whether to consume more. Always dose carefully and listen to your body, and never drive under the influence of cannabis.
**There are several safety rules when infusing with a mason jar to prevent the glass from cracking in the water bath. Always inspect the jars for any cracks or scratches before use. Only screw the jar lids finger tight to allow some air to escape as the ingredients heat up. Mason jars should be placed in the water early, as it’s starting to heat up, to prevent thermal shock.
