Cannabutter, How To Make And Prepare Your Own

Whilst you won't see cannabutter in the next Hairy Bikers Cookbook, or even on that ever popular bake-off show, that does not stop it from being a versatile and rewarding form of cannabis. Cannabutter is technically a concentrate, whereby the cannabinoids from the cannabis plant bind with the oils in the butter during the cooking process. The key thing to remember with any cannabutter recipe is to cook low and slow - preventing any burning of the plant matter. This will ensure you get maximum activation of the THC when it binds with the oil. When you then consider that THC ingested can be up to 4 times more potent than when inhaled, it can make making your own cannabutter a very rewarding venture indeed.

Ultimately, cannabutter can be used in any recipe that requires normal butter; however, it lends itself to being used as a baking medium and is often found in brownies or “space cakes” as well as muffins and cookies. For the more adventurous types, it can even be used on pancakes or waffles, a garnish for that classic garlic bread, or over new potatoes as part of a salad. As well as being a culinary compliment to your next dinner party, it is also widely used for medicinal purposes. For those suffering from chronic pain or illness, cannabis can help them to manage it. Using cannabutter is a safe and easy way to take cannabis throughout the day as well as having the benefit of being made weeks in advance, storing it in the freezer for when needed.

When it comes to making your own cannabutter, you are faced with two options. A quick recipe or a simmer recipe. Essentially time will be the defining factor when choosing which method you use, but the simmer method is thought to produce a higher quality cannabutter.

No matter which recipe you choose, it is a good idea to decarboxylate your cannabis first. This is the process of heating it to convert the THCA inside to THC. Although the cannabis will be heated during the recipe, decarbing your cannabis ensures without a doubt that it got hot enough to fully activate its psychoactive content. During decarboxylation, it is important that the plant matter doesn't burn. The easiest way to achieve this is by baking the plant matter on a low heat. Usually around 240 F / 115 C for 30-40mins; after breaking the cannabis plants into small pieces, transfer onto a baking tray lined with baking paper. Stir the cannabis every 10mins to ensure it toasts evenly.


To begin with, let's start by going through a quick recipe; ideal for having friends over at short notice or when smoking or vaping your cannabis is not an option.

QUICK RECIPE

Ingredients

7 grams of decarboxylated cannabis buds, finely ground
½ cup (one block) unsalted butter

Equipment

Medium sized saucepan
Wooden ladle
Spoon
Fine metal strainer
Heat proof container (for storing afterwards)

Method

1. Melt the butter on a low heat in a medium saucepan.

2. Add the ground cannabis to the melted butter stirring in gently, a little bit at a time.

3. Simmer on a low heat for 45mins, stirring frequently. At this, stage it is important you don't allow the mixture to boil.

4. Once simmered, strain the butter into your chosen container using the metal strainer to remove any ground buds.

5. Use the spoon to apply pressure to the remaining buds in the strainer to squeeze out all the cannabutter.

6. Hey, Presto! Cannabutter. Your Cannabutter will have a slightly green tinge from the cannabis buds but once cooled, will be ready to be used for cooking or stored in your freezer for when it is needed.

SIMMER RECIPE

The simmer recipe is a slightly more involved way of making cannabutter and will take significantly longer, but the payoff is worth it if you have the time.

Ingredients

1 pound of unsalted butter
2 cups of water
1 ounce of decarboxylated, ground cannabis buds

Equipment

Large sized saucepan
Whisk
Large glass bowl
Metal Strainer
Cheesecloth
Spatula
Butter Knife
Heat proof container
Plastic Wrap

Method

1. In the large saucepan bring the butter and water to a rapid simmer. The point just before boiling, until the butter melts.

2. Whisk in your chosen cannabis buds.

3. Reduce the heat to low and bring the mixture to a slow simmer, again do not let the mixture boil.

4. Cook for around 5 hours, stirring roughly every 90mins. Add additional warm water if required as to keep the contents topped up. It's also worth noting at this point that the time you cook the butter for is based purely on preference. 8 hours is a good standard. The longer the simmer, the more cannabinoids will bind with the butter.

5. Whilst the mixture cooks, line your metal strainer with the cheesecloth placing it over a large glass bowl.

6. After the mixture has cooked pour the butter slowly through the strainer lined with cheesecloth. Press down on the mixture with the spatula to squeeze out all the butter.

7. Cover the bowl with the plastic wrap and place into a fridge. Once the mixture has set the butter and the water will separate, discard the water.

8. Transfer the butter to your container ready to be used for cooking or stored in your freezer for when it is needed.