Maximum Yield Cannabis Canada September/October 2022 | Page 50

The Importance of Decarboxylating Cannabis
When you want to use your cannabis flower to make edibles or to make an infusion of butter or oil , you must decarboxylate your plant material before cooking with it . Heating your weed in an oven before infusion is essential if you want the cannabinoids transferred into the infusion and the finished dish . Cooking non-decarboxylated cannabis as just another ingredient in your recipe may activate some cannabinoids . However , as the cannabis is combined with other ingredients of different chemical makeup , you will be reducing the cannabinoid transfer rate . Also , if you cook at too high a temperature , you will lose any cannabinoids altogether .
Low Temps for Best Terps
Decarboxylation occurs in the range of 200-245 ° F . Compared to the temperatures of a burning joint or a vape pen , decarboxylation for edibles is completed at a lower temperature for a more extended period . This is to try and keep as many cannabinoids and terpenes intact and infused as possible . Terpenes are exceptionally volatile and can evaporate at high temperatures . This could leave flavours and aromas behind that could ruin your food . Suppose you put cannabis in the oven at over 300 ° F . In that case , you will be burning off all the cannabinoids and terpenes , losing all psychoactive and medicinal qualities . Therefore , you must decarboxylate your weed correctly before using it in a recipe .
“ Heating your weed in an oven before infusion is essential if you want the

CANNABINOIDS

Decarbing in a Domestic Oven
When decarboxylating cannabis at home in a domestic oven , it is important to remember that the temperature shown to you is not exact and is more of an average . A standard oven can fluctuate up and down by 20 degrees . The best thing to do is invest in an oven thermometer to combat this . You can heat the oven and get it to a constant sweet spot of 245 ° F before putting your cannabis in . This may take a good 30 minutes of playing around with the temperature dial on your oven . Still , getting it right before you start decarboxylation is worth it . Make sure you put the oven rack in the middle of the oven . Ovens are often hotter at the top and cooler toward the bottom , so the middle should ensure the most stable decarboxylation temperature . It goes without saying that when you put your weed in the oven for decarboxylation that this should be on the middle shelf too .
transferred into the infusion and the finished dish .”
What Parts of the Plant can I Decarb ?
You can use all flower parts when decarboxylating , including stems and shake . If you want reliable , predictable results , stick to one strain so you know what to expect from the effects . However , nothing is stopping you from using a mix of strains if that is what you want or have on hand .
How to Decarb Your Flower 1 . Pre-heat your oven to 245 ° F with your oven thermometer .
2 . Line a baking tray with parchment paper and chop up your adequately dried and cured flower into small pea-sized chunks . Do not cut up your weed too fine or use a grinder , as this will make the bud too fine and more prone to burning .
3 . Bake in the centre of the oven for 30-40 minutes . You want to achieve an even toasting and a green / gold shade .
4 . Leave the bud to cool down completely .
5 . Finely chop the decarbed bud and transfer it to an airtight container . Keep it stored out of sunlight .
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