Skipping the Decarb Step
Cooking cannabis without first decarboxylating (or decarbing) it is like trying to bake bread without yeast—you’re missing the magic ingredient. Decarbing means gently heating your cannabis first, activating THC and CBD. Skip this step, and your brownies will taste green, but you’ll miss out on the effects. Always decarb your cannabis first, so your treats have that perfect kick.
Overdoing It with Potency
Ever had an edible that was way stronger than expected? Welcome to the most common cooking mistake. It’s tempting to add extra cannabis “just to be sure,” but trust me—that’s asking for trouble. Start low, go slow, and measure carefully. Remember, you can always eat more later, but you can’t un-eat that super-potent cookie once it’s down the hatch.
Not Using the Right Type of Fat
Cannabis loves fat—it binds best with oils or butter. Picking the wrong type of fat can mess up your whole recipe. Coconut oil, butter, or olive oil usually work great. Stay away from low-fat options or anything watery, because cannabinoids just won’t bond properly. It’s like trying to glue paper together with water—it just won’t stick.
Heating Cannabis Too Hot or Too Long
Cooking cannabis at high heat or for too long ruins the THC you’re after. THC breaks down at high temperatures, leaving you with weak edibles. Keep your cooking temperature low, ideally under 350°F. Slow and steady cooking preserves potency and flavor, so your treats are tasty and effective.
Grinding Cannabis Too Fine
You might think grinding cannabis super-fine is smart, but it’s a rookie mistake. Powdery cannabis is harder to strain, and you’ll end up with gritty brownies that taste like a mouthful of lawn clippings. Stick to a coarse grind—it infuses better and keeps your edibles tasty and texture-friendly.
Ignoring Serving Sizes
A common newbie slip-up: not cutting edibles into proper serving sizes. Eating cannabis edibles isn’t like munching regular cookies. Too big a piece could have you staring at the ceiling for hours. Measure doses carefully, divide your recipe evenly, and label clearly so everyone knows how much they’re eating. Your future self (and guests) will thank you.
Forgetting to Mix Thoroughly
Ever had an edible that barely worked, followed by another that hit way too hard? That happens when cannabis isn’t mixed evenly into the batter. Take extra time to stir properly, spreading THC evenly. Otherwise, it’s like Russian roulette—you never know which brownie is the heavy hitter.
Skipping the Taste Test (Without Cannabis)
Before making a cannabis-infused batch, test your recipe without cannabis first. This prevents wasting good cannabis on a failed recipe. If you wouldn’t eat it without cannabis, you certainly won’t enjoy it with cannabis. Plus, who doesn’t love an excuse to bake twice?
Not Clearly Labeling Your Edibles
Always label cannabis edibles clearly. Mistaking infused brownies for regular ones can lead to some unexpected (and possibly unpleasant) surprises. Keep cannabis edibles separate and clearly marked—especially if you have kids or non-consuming friends around.
Final Thoughts: Learn from Mistakes, Enjoy Your Edibles
Cooking with cannabis is fun, tasty, and rewarding. Avoid these common mistakes, and you’ll enjoy edibles without worry. Now get baking—responsibly, of course!
