Brewing your own cannabis tea is a simple, rewarding process. At its core, you’re just infusing decarboxylated (heated) cannabis into hot water with a little bit of fat, like coconut oil or butter. This simple step unlocks the plant’s active compounds, creating a warm, soothing drink with gentle, long-lasting effects.
For a lot of people, a cup of learning how to make cannabis tea is the perfect smokeless alternative. It’s discreet, easy to make, and offers a controlled experience that you can tailor to your own wellness routine.
Sipping on a warm cup of cannabis-infused tea is more than just a relaxing ritual; it’s a popular way to experience the plant’s benefits without smoking. For many, it offers a gentle, controlled experience that can be easily customized to fit personal wellness goals. This guide demystifies the entire process, focusing on practical steps to help you brew the perfect cup right in your own kitchen.
And it’s not just a niche trend. As cannabis goes mainstream, infused beverages are exploding in popularity. The global market for cannabis drinks was already valued at USD 2.04 billion in 2023 and is expected to keep climbing. This shows a huge shift in how people are choosing to consume cannabis. You can discover more insights about the cannabis beverages market to see just how fast it’s growing.
What You’ll Learn Here
This guide is your straightforward roadmap to making great cannabis tea. We’ll skip the jargon and get right to the good stuff.
- “Activating” Your Cannabis: We’ll kick things off with decarboxylation—the non-negotiable first step to make sure your cannabis actually works.
- Simple Infusion Tricks: I’ll show you how to pull the cannabinoids into your tea using common kitchen fats you probably already have.
- An Easy-to-Follow Recipe: You’ll get a simple, step-by-step process that takes you from prepping your flower to pouring your first cup.
- Dosing Without the Guesswork: We’ll talk about how to dose your tea smartly for a safe and pleasant experience, every time.
- Making It Taste Great: I’ll share some easy tips and tricks for customizing the flavor so you actually enjoy drinking it.
By the time you’re done reading, you’ll see that making cannabis tea is less like a complicated science experiment and more like brewing a custom cup of herbal tea. It’s a fantastic skill for anyone, whether you’re just starting out or have been enjoying cannabis for years.
Why You Must Decarboxylate Your Cannabis First
Before you even think about putting the kettle on, there’s one step you absolutely cannot skip if you want your cannabis tea to actually work. Tossing raw cannabis flower into hot water will just give you a weak, grassy-tasting drink with zero effects. That’s because the good stuff inside the plant isn’t quite ready for your body to use.
The secret is a simple process called decarboxylation. It sounds complicated, but it’s really just a fancy word for gently heating your cannabis to “activate” it. Raw cannabis is full of compounds like THCA and CBDA, which won’t get you high or provide much relief. A little bit of heat transforms them into the THC and CBD that deliver those classic calming, therapeutic vibes we’re looking for.
The Simple Oven Method
Getting your cannabis ready is a breeze. All you need is an oven and a baking sheet.
First, get your oven preheating to 240°F (115°C). This is the sweet spot—hot enough to kick off the chemical reaction without destroying the delicate compounds.
While it’s heating up, break your cannabis flower into small, pea-sized pieces. No need to grind it into dust. Just spread the small buds evenly across a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
Slide it into the oven and let it bake for 30 to 40 minutes. You’ll know it’s done when the color changes to a lovely golden-brown and your kitchen starts to smell toasty and nutty.
A Quick Tip from Experience: Don’t crank up the heat to save time. I’ve seen people try it, and it’s a surefire way to ruin your cannabis. High temperatures will just burn off the very compounds you’re trying to activate. Low and slow is always the way to go.
After you’ve brewed and sipped your tea, the journey is just beginning.
As you can see, the effects come on gradually, which is why starting with properly activated cannabis is key for a consistent and predictable experience. While decarbing is a must for any strain, the type of strain you choose will definitely shape the final effects. To get a better handle on this, it’s worth learning about the difference between indica and sativa and thinking about the kind of vibe you want from your tea.
Picking the Right Infusion Base
Alright, your cannabis is activated and ready to go. Now comes the most critical part of getting those cannabinoids into your tea. This is a common stumbling block for beginners.
Here’s the deal: Cannabinoids like THC and CBD are lipophilic. In plain English, that means they bind to fat, not water. You can’t just toss your decarbed flower into hot water and expect results—it just won’t work. You need a fatty carrier to pull the good stuff out and make it available for your body to absorb. This infusion base is the secret to a potent brew.
The good news? You’ve got plenty of simple options, and most are probably already in your kitchen. Each one brings something a little different to the table, so you can pick what fits your taste.
Simmering Directly with a Fat
The most direct route is to simply simmer your decarbed cannabis right along with a fat source. This creates a quick, single-use infusion that you can then mix into your favorite tea. It’s a great way to get your feet wet.
Some popular fats for this method are:
- Coconut Oil: A fantastic choice because its high saturated fat content is great at grabbing onto cannabinoids.
- Butter: Unsalted butter is a classic for a reason, giving your tea a rich, creamy texture.
- Full-Fat Milk or Cream: Perfect if you’re aiming for a latte-style drink. It pairs beautifully with chai or bold black teas.
This approach is my go-to when I’m just making a cup or two and don’t want a big production. It’s a fantastic starting point for learning how to make cannabis tea without having to commit to making a whole batch of infused oil.
Why Fat Is Your Friend: It’s not just folklore; science backs this up. Consuming cannabinoids with fats can dramatically increase how much your body absorbs. In fact, one study showed that fats can boost THC absorption by up to 2.5 times compared to taking it without any.
Making a Batch of Canna-Oil or Cannabutter
If you see cannabis tea becoming a regular thing for you, making a larger batch of infused oil or butter ahead of time is the way to go. This “cannabutter” or “canna-oil” can be stored in the fridge and is ready whenever you are.
It does take a bit more work upfront, but the convenience is hard to beat. You can just stir a measured spoonful into a hot cup of tea, which makes dosing incredibly easy and consistent.
Remember, the quality of your tea starts with the flower itself. Taking a moment to learn more about understanding cannabis flower will pay off, helping you choose a strain that gives you exactly the effects you’re looking for.
A Practical Guide to Brewing Your Tea
Alright, your cannabis is activated and you’ve got your fat source ready to go. Now for the fun part: brewing the tea. This process is surprisingly simple and really satisfying. You’re not going to need any specialized gear, just a few things you probably already have in your kitchen.
Here’s what you’ll want to grab:
- A small saucepan or pot
- A fine-mesh strainer or some cheesecloth
- Your favorite mug
The goal here is to gently pull those activated cannabinoids out of the plant and into the fat. The secret to success is just a bit of patience and keeping the heat low.
Infusing Your Base
Start by adding one tablespoon of your fat (like coconut oil or butter) and one cup of water to your saucepan. Then, stir in your decarbed cannabis. If you’re new to this, one gram is a great starting point.
Get the mixture simmering over low heat. The most important thing here is to never let it boil. A rolling boil is too hot and can destroy the very cannabinoids and terpenes you just worked to activate. You’re looking for a gentle, steady simmer for about 20-30 minutes. That’s the sweet spot for a good infusion.
You’ll see the liquid get a little thicker and start to smell amazing. That’s how you know it’s working.
Pro Tip: Seriously, keep an eye on the heat. If it starts bubbling too aggressively, turn it down immediately. A slow, gentle infusion is what you’re after—not a science experiment gone wrong.
Straining and Steeping Your Tea
After simmering, you’ll want to strain out the plant material to get a smooth, clean-tasting tea. Carefully pour your infused liquid through the strainer or cheesecloth right into your mug. Give it a gentle squeeze to make sure you get every last drop of that good stuff.
You now have a warm, cannabinoid-rich base waiting for the finishing touch. Just drop your favorite tea bag—chamomile, green tea, whatever you like—into the mug and let it steep for 3-5 minutes, just like you normally would.
Give it a final stir, add a little honey or sugar if you’d like, and you’re all set. Sit back and enjoy your homemade cannabis tea.
Getting the Dose Right: What to Expect
Getting the dosage right is, without a doubt, the most crucial part of making a great cup of cannabis tea. If you’re used to smoking, you need to completely shift your mindset. The effects of infused drinks creep up on you slowly and stick around for a lot longer.
This is why you’ll hear every seasoned user say the same thing: “start low and go slow.”
When you drink your tea, the cannabinoids travel through your digestive system and are processed by your liver. This process actually converts THC into a much stronger compound. Because of this journey, you won’t feel a thing for 30 to 90 minutes, sometimes longer. The full effects might not peak for a couple of hours, but they can last for a good chunk of your day.
That long wait is a classic trap for newcomers. It’s easy to think “this isn’t working” and reach for a second cup. Don’t do it. Seriously, give it at least two full hours after your first cup before you even think about having more.
A Practical Approach to Dosing
The potency of your tea comes down to the cannabis you start with. The psychoactive kick is tied to the Δ9-THC concentration in the final brew. A standard 250 mL cup made with strong cannabis can easily put you over the Acute Reference Dose of 1 microgram per kilogram of body weight, a safety guideline highlighted by the European Food Safety Authority. You can read up on the science behind cannabis tea safety to get the full picture.
For your first time, I recommend using just half a gram of cannabis flower with a modest THC level (around 15%) for a single cup. This provides a gentle dose, giving you a safe way to see how you react without overdoing it.
The strain you choose makes a huge difference, too. Some are relaxing, others are more energizing. To find the perfect flower for the vibe you’re going for, take a look at our ultimate guide to top weed strains. A little research upfront helps ensure you get the pleasant, predictable experience you’re after.
Creative Ways to Flavor Your Cannabis Tea
Once you’ve got the basic infusion down, the real fun begins: playing with flavors. Let’s be honest, the natural taste of cannabis can be earthy and a little bitter. But think of your infused tea as a blank canvas—a few simple additions can turn it into something special.
The easiest place to start is with the classics. A spoonful of raw honey is great for sweetness and adds its own subtle floral notes. A squeeze of fresh lemon juice is also fantastic for cutting through any bitterness and brightening up the whole cup.
Building Your Perfect Flavor Combination
This is where you can get creative and raid your spice cabinet. Adding different herbs and spices doesn’t just make your tea taste better; many of them have their own wellness benefits that can complement the experience.
Here are a few of my go-to additions:
- Fresh Ginger: A few thin slices give it a spicy, warming kick that’s great for settling your stomach.
- Cinnamon Stick: This adds a sweet, woody aroma that works really well with the earthy cannabis flavor.
- Turmeric: Just a pinch adds a subtle peppery flavor and a beautiful golden color.
- Fresh Mint Leaves: For a refreshing twist, just muddle a few mint leaves in the bottom of your mug before pouring the tea.
My personal favorite is a mix of ginger and lemon. It creates this zesty, invigorating brew that’s both comforting and uplifting—perfect for a quiet afternoon.
Another great trick is to just add another tea bag to your brew. A calming chamomile is perfect if you’re winding down for the night. You can even create a rich, aromatic cannabis chai latte by adding a chai tea bag, especially if you used an infused milk or cream for your base.
Exploring these combinations is a huge part of the fun. If you’re curious about other ways to enjoy cannabis, seeing the creations at a modern cannabis consumption bar in Barre Vermont can give you some amazing inspiration for your own kitchen experiments.
A Few Common Questions About Making Cannabis Tea
Even with a great recipe, a few questions always come up, especially when you’re just starting out. Let’s tackle some of the most common ones so you can brew your tea with confidence.
Do I Really Need to Use Fat?
Yes, this is one step you absolutely can’t skip. Here’s why: the good stuff in cannabis, like THC and CBD, are fat-soluble. They need to latch onto fat molecules for your body to process them. Plain water just won’t do the trick.
If you skip a fat source like coconut oil, butter, or whole milk, the cannabinoids stay trapped in the plant material. You’ll just end up with a cup of hot water that tastes a bit like grass and won’t have any of the effects you’re looking for.
Will My Kitchen Stink While I’m Decarbing?
Let’s be honest: yes, decarboxylating cannabis will definitely make your kitchen smell. It’s a toasty, nutty, and very distinct cannabis aroma. It’s not necessarily a bad smell, but it is a strong one.
There are a couple of easy ways to keep it under control:
- Get the air moving: Crack a window and turn on your stove’s exhaust fan before you even preheat the oven.
- Try an oven bag: Some people swear by placing their cannabis in an oven-safe turkey bag to trap most of the smell while it bakes.
Pro tip: This is exactly why I like to decarb a bigger batch all at once. You get the smellier part of the job done in one go, and then you have activated flower ready for weeks of easy tea-making.
How Long Can I Store My Cannabis Tea?
This really depends on what you’re storing. If you make a batch of cannabutter or canna-oil, you can keep it in an airtight container in the fridge for several weeks. That way, you can just scoop a spoonful into a fresh cup of tea whenever the mood strikes.
But if you’re talking about a fully brewed cup of tea, it’s best to drink it fresh. Just like any regular cup of tea, the flavor and potency are at their absolute best right after you make it.
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