Tuesday September 1, 2020
By Andrew Ward
Education
CBD is a common term in much of the public’s lexicon by now. What might not be is CBD isolate. Let’s take a step back for a moment: For many, CBD is the oil or oil-derived products they consume. Often, this means that they are consuming either the whole plant in a full-spectrum preparation or a mixture of cannabinoids and other terpenes as well as CBD. Supporters of these products will usually tout the often debated entourage effect as a key reason for using a whole plant experience.
On the other hand, some would prefer to stay away from anything but the CBD. These consumers often cite a worry over contamination as well as uncertainty around the entourage effect as two primary reasons why they’d rather deal with just CBD. This is where CBD isolate enters the picture.
What is CBD Isolate
Instead of being an oil, CBD isolate comes in crystallized form. In this form, CBD is literally isolated from the rest of the plant’s compounds. If executed properly, CBD isolate will be 99% or more pure CBD.
While its texture may be different, the effects of CBD isolate are largely similar to other cannabidiol-based products.
As such, it is a preferred choice of many. These consumers want their product to be free of any odors or flavors while still having much of the versatility that comes with CBD oil. In this article, we’ll delve into how CBD isolate is made, how it can be consumed and how you can make your own CBD products using an isolate powder.
How CBD Isolate is Made
CBD isolate is made by using a similar extraction process that is used to make concentrates. However, it is not done there. At this stage, the concentrate is not isolated and still contains other plant compounds. To reduce the plant down to just its CBD, the concentrate must go through a purifying process that includes filtering out any plant material and a winterization process for another layer of compound removal.
In all, the process of extracting, isolating and purifying the product is call chromatography. It is used by other producers looking to separate THC or CBD from previously extracted cannabis products. The process requires industrial equipment. So unlike making rosin or collecting kief, house producers are going to have a heck of a time affording the machinery or performing its tasks in a DIY operation. The company Endoca CBD made an in-depth breakdown of the process back in 2017, which you can watch above.
How to Consume CBD Isolate
Those used to CBD in oils or other forms may not be sure what to do with isolate. It’s a white powdery substance, after all. In most cases, those sort of things go in pastry mixes or are put into lines on the toilets on clubs in New York City’s Meatpacking District – depending on the substance. But that’s not the case with CBD, at least not the toilet one, thankfully.
CBD isolate provides consumers with just about as much versatility as CBD oil does. It can be consumed on its own, vaporized like a concentrate, or infused into everything from topicals to edibles and vape cartridges. When taking just the isolate, treat your product like a CBD oil and place it under your tongue for the easiest way to ingest. When infusing CBD isolate, consider the white powder as your starting material. From there, just learn the DIY methods it takes to infused products. For some, like edibles, the process should be rather easy. While others, like vape cartridge oil, will take a bit more skill.
CBD isolates are very versatile and can be infused in a variety of ways. photo credit
Be sure to pay attention to any boiling points that may come about during your infusion. This is true when making edibles or infused oils using CBD isolate. The boiling point for CBD tends to be around 320 F to 356 F. If cooking temperatures exceed this mark, the consumption experience can be altered, with potency diminishing among other adverse outcomes.
That said, cannabis companies have heard consumers loud and clear, and have begun to offer CBD isolate products themselves. The sound decision provides companies with another revenue stream as well as an efficient way of delivering the goods their consumers want. For customers, they get the convenience of buying a properly dosed product without having to do any of the work themselves.
Have you tried CBD isolate yet? Share your thoughts and experiences in the comments below!
Photo Credit: WeedPornDaily (license)
