Want to know how to make pot gummies at home? Well, this is the article that will help you in that endeavor. I have broken down some of the most important parts of creating your very first batch of cannabis gummies. Scroll down to read more.
What Are Pot Gummies?
You need to understand what pot gummies are before I can help you with how to make pot gummies. Pot gummies are the newest chapter in the history of cannabis edibles. These gummies are meant to replicate the sensation of being under the influence of cannabis.
Pot gummies is an umbrella term. Pot gummies can be of two primary types. These include THC gummies and CBD gummies. Both variants cater to specific aspects of cannabis usage. Therefore, these edibles have become one of the most popular edibles out there. As a result, you will often see THC and CBD gummies getting featured in various Sativa vs Indica edibles conversations.
Edible gummies come in varied potency. This primarily depends on the function that it is meant to fulfill. As a result, pot gummies are one of the most versatile edibles, in my opinion.
The Science Behind The Gummies
One of the very first points about understanding how to make pot gummies is to understand the science behind pot gummies. This will enable you to stay on the right path and help you make your very own batch of cannabis-infused gummies. Understanding these two processes will alleviate some of your confusion.
Subsequently, acing these scientific processes will also help you ace your recipe and even experiment. But hold on to your horses, as you are yet to understand the basic science behind making pot gummies.
Without further ado, let us drive right in.
Decarboxylation
Decarboxylation or decarbing is all about activating the latent THC and CBD found in the cannabis class of plants. This is a very important process for making your own pot gummies. THC and CBD exist as THCA and CBDA in cannabis plants. THCA and CBDA are latent and non-reactive variants of THC and CBD. These chemicals can only be activated via heat. These chemicals are heated to a certain point in order to transform them into THC and CBD, respectively.
The best way to activate these latent cannabinoids is by cooking the cannabis. Take some nugs and put them into an oven. Cook the nug for 30 minutes at 22.5 degrees Fahrenheit. This will activate the latent components. As a result, it is an essential point of ‘how to make pot gummies at home.”
Infusion
Right after decarboxylation, you need to ready yourself for the next step. This step is known as infusion and is a very crucial step in creating your own gummies. Several steps are involved when it comes to the infusion side of things. However, slow cooker and double boiler methods are the most prominent methods available.
Infusion is all about making the activated cannabis usable. And in order to do so, it needs to be infused with a base. This makes the component easy to handle. This is the second crucial step for creating your own pot gummies.
Components You Will Need
Now that the boring basics are out of the way, you are ready to truly learn how to make pot gummies at home. But first, you need to gather some tools. And trust me, you need to do your research in order to ace the recipe.
Some of the most basic tools that you will need include measuring tools, a stove, a pot, a dropper, a whisk, a mold, and a freezer. Trust me, you will need all of these. But first, let us look at two of the most important components that you will need in order to create your own gummies at home.
Cannabis Oil
Choosing or making the perfect cannabis oil is seminal to the whole process. The primary reason is that the oil decides a lot of factors, including the flavor and the consistency of the gummies. If making your own cannabis oil feels a little too much. Just buy it over the counter. However, only go for oils that are organically extracted from cannabis buds. As this ensures potency and consistency.
Gelatin Type
Since we are on the topic of choosing the right cannabis oil, let me just touch on the topic of choosing the right gelatin for your cannabis gummies. I personally prefer unflavored gelatin. This offers me more legroom in order to experiment with the flavoring. Unflavored gelatin also has a lower sugar content. Hence, this is also a piece of good news for people who are cutting sugar content. Have clarity of what you need before you start committing. Choosing the right amount and kind of gummies will decide a lot of factors.
How To Make Infused Oil For Gummies
I personally think that making your own cannabis gummies is an added step that can be avoided by buying them over the counter. But you can certainly opt for creating your own cannabis oil base from scratch.
As of writing this article, there are two primary methods for creating your own cannabis oils. These include slow cooker and double boiler methods. In both methods, you will need to heat up cannabis and oil for an extended period of time in order to ensure infusion.
Slow Cooker Method
I have already said that I prefer getting my cannabis oil from the supermarket. However, if I have to create my own batch of cannabis oil, I would suggest that you should go for the slow cooker method.
The slow cooker method ensures even heat distribution and complete elimination of any form of odor. The slow cooker method is simple and is something that beginners will feel comfortable in.
Take equal parts of cannabis and some refined vegetable oil. Combine them both in a pot and let the mixture simmer on low heat for at least 4 hours. Remember to stir the mixture from time to time. Strain and store the mixture once it is done simmering for 4 hours.
Double Boiler Method
The double boiler method is another method that uses kind of similar principle to the slow cooker method but offers more temperature control. However, this method usually involves a more complex method for infusion.
Just put the mixture on the top pan of a double boiler. And then let it simmer for a good amount of time, like 2 or 3 hours. All the while, keep stirring the pot in order to ensure better infusion.
Strain the mixture and store it in a cold place. Let it cool down before you start making your gummies using the infused oil.
Step By Step Guide On How To Make Pot Gummies
Now that infusion and decarboxylation are done, it is time to start creating your very first batch of pot gummies. Do not worry; all you need to do is follow the steps in the order I have discussed, and you will effectively know how to make pot gummies.
Preparing The Mixture
The very first step of making your pot gummies is to understand and prepare the mixture. It is a very crucial step for creating your gummies. To start the journey, you need to mix the cannabis-infused oil, the gelatin, and other components to ensure a homogenous mixture. Make sure you let the mixture simmer a little and stir it from time to time. This will ensure a more homogenous mixing of components. This will also ensure that your gummies have the correct texture.
Pouring And Setting
After you are done preparing the mixture, you are ready for the next step. This step involves pouring and setting the mixture. Carefully pour your gummy mixture into molds. Do it patiently and slowly. You want an even distribution of the mixture in the mold. Doing it slowly also ensures that your gummy has no air bubbles.
After you are done pouring, you must let it sit for 30 minutes. Subsequently, you can even refrigerate it. However, gummies become harder as they keep sitting. This means the longer a gummy sits in a mold, the harder it will get. So, be mindful of the consistency that you are going for.
Cooling And Storage
The final part of making your own batch of gummies is also about cooling and storage. Cooling your gummies not only enhances their texture but also enhances their shelf life. Therefore, you need to understand what you are going for. I prefer cooling my gummies for around 3 hours. This allows the gummies to be dry and chewy at the same time. You might do it differently.
As for storing, these gummies need to be stored in an airtight jar. Subsequently, you should store the jar in a cool and dry place for best results. Moisture and sunlight can break down the gummies chemically and will make your efforts futile.
Well-stored gummies can stay fresh for up to 10 days. However, I believe that these gummies retain their best flavor in the first 36 hours of production. Do not think that your gummies will stay fresh for a month. So, be mindful of this factor.
Considering The Dosage
Making pot gummies at home is definitely one of the best things to do. But dosage is a very important issue altogether. The THC and CBD levels of your gummies need to be precise in order to have any effect. Hence, it is very crucial to have a clear-cut idea of the THC and CBD levels in order to ace the recipe.
Calculating Dosage
The very first thing that you need to calculate is the THC dosage. There are several online edible calculators that will tell you the general value of THC in your mixture. Then, divide the value by the total number of gummies. And you will have a somewhat clear picture of the potency of your gummy. In fact, if you are making gummies for commercial usage, you need to have a clear idea about your gummy’s potency.
Lab Testing
Before I even start explaining this aspect, let me just tell you that this is not at all a feasible way to calculate potency. I am only including this because I want to be informative and nothing else. For this method, all you have to do is send a sample of your gummy to the nearest cannabis lab for analysis.
Trust me, I know how that sounds. But if you want to have a precise idea, that is the best way to proceed. This might not be feasible for homemade gummies, but they are certainly important for people who want to make these gummies a business.
How To Customize
Why are we even talking about gummies if we do not even bring up the topic of customization? I personally feel that the best part about creating your own gummies is the ability to customize them. This is the section that will only deal with that part of the discussion on how to make pot gummies.
Flavor Options
Instead of buying extracts, I suggest that you procure flavored gelatins. These offer better control and flexibility. Because with extracts, there is always the question of the right amount of extract.
Silicone Molds
The next thing that you can customize is the very shape of your gummies. Gummies come in a variety of shapes and sizes. All you need to do is buy yourself some zany molds that can help you create new and fun shapes. Trust me, customization is the best part of getting your own pot gummies.
Closing Thought
With that, we have reached the very end of our article on how to make pot gummies. If you have your own recipe, then do write to us, and it might get featured on our website. Keep following our page for more cannabis-related stories.
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