With Kombucha’s unstoppable popularity, it’s not surprising to see new Kombucha varieties and flavors in different supermarkets and retailers worldwide. Today, we see Kombucha in different varieties infused with fruits, vegetables, essential oils, and just in recent years, CBD. Yes, you’ve read that right, Kombucha infused with CBD or simply CBD Kombucha is one of the latest trends in the adult beverage market. If you still can’t believe it and ask, “What is CBD Kombucha? Is it worth the hype?” Well, keep reading and you’ll surely know more.
CBD Kombucha is a variety of Kombucha beverage that is infused with Cannabidiol (CBD) oil. It is a popular relaxation drink for adults and is widely available in Canada, California, and other countries and states where CBD-infused products are deemed legal. It’s difficult to trace who fermented the first CBD-infused Kombucha drink but a quick scope on the internet tells us that it started gaining attention in the late 2010s. Since then, CBD Kombucha products with varying hints of flavors and CBD content became more and more popular.
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How is CBD Kombucha made
The method of making CBD Kombucha can vary from one manufacturer to another, but generally, it is made by mixing CBD oil with Kombucha that has finished the first or second fermentation.
If you are a homebrewer yourself and living in a place where CBD is legal, you are probably wondering if you could make your CBD Kombucha at home. The straight answer is yes. You can even make a variety of mocktails and flavors with your CBD Kombucha. But before all that, here is a quick step-by-step instruction on how you can make your own CBD Kombucha at home.
- Step 1: Prepare Kombucha that has finished the first fermentation and your preferred CBD product. You may use CBD oil like those used in some commercial CBD Kombuchas, however, youbrewkombucha.com suggests using water-soluble CBD products as most oil-based solutions do not dissolve in liquids easily.
- Step 2: Add 5 mg. to 25 mg. of water-soluble CBD product in your fermentation bottles. Take note that the more CBD product you use, the more intense the CBD effect will be.
- Step 3: Pour in your Kombucha liquid leaving about ½ to 1-inch headspace. This will help give Kombucha good carbonation.
- Step 4: Shake slightly to mix the ingredients
- Step 5: Ferment for 3 to 14 days.
- Step 6: Start tasting your flavored Kombucha after 3 days of fermentation. When the taste already fits your liking, transfer the bottled Kombucha to the refrigerator to preserve its flavor.
If you want to skip the fermentation process but want a CBD-infused Kombucha drink, you may use plain or flavored carbonated Kombucha and add CBD oil or water-soluble CBD products directly to the bottle or cup. Next, stir your drink and enjoy it with some snacks or just simply on its own. If you are worried about the efficacy, don’t worry because adding CBD product to finished Kombucha is not likely to impact its effects however, the taste may not be as strong as Kombucha fermented with CBD.
CBD Kombucha Taste
CBD’s taste is a mixture of woody and earthy flavors while its smell is typically compared to the scent of a damp forest. On the other hand, Kombucha has a distinct tart and slightly sweet savor. When these two ingredients are combined, the result is a tart and earthy beverage that is perfect to enjoy at any time of the day. However, not all CBD Kombucha tastes this way. Here’s why.
Like other flavored Kombucha products, CBD Kombucha may feature additional flavors from fruits, vegetables, and essential oils. This results in a more complex flavor profile that is more appealing, especially for newbie drinkers.
CBD Kombucha is also usually carbonated so you can expect a fizzy texture from this drink. The drinking experience may be similar to drinking sparkling water or soda.
CBD Kombucha Daily Dose
The recommended daily dose of Kombucha products is 4 oz. three times a day or a total of 12 oz. daily. People who are new to drinking Kombucha are recommended to not drink more than this amount to avoid possible side effects like stomach problems, allergic reactions, and more. However, long-term Kombucha drinkers may drink up to 16 oz. depending on their body’s tolerance to the beverage.
If you are new to drinking CBD Kombucha, we suggest drinking only the recommended daily amount. In addition, you should also opt for CBD Kombucha with the lowest CBD content possible. If you don’t feel any effects from Kombucha with low CBD content, you may opt for higher CBD content the next time until you get your desired effects.
CBD Kombucha Benefits
CBD Kombucha offers the same benefits as taking CBD oil and drinking Kombucha. It helps you relax as well as nourish the gut. It is also considered a more effective relaxant than alcohol as it doesn’t cause hangovers or other adverse side effects. In addition, it has shown potential benefits in relieving hangovers, anxiety, and certain medical conditions.
What Do CBD Products Do?
Consuming CBD-infused products offer the same benefits as taking CBD. CBD is a plant compound known to help relax the body. When you take CBD products, you can experience relaxation, reduced pain levels, and better sleep. For this reason, CBD products have been a popular product among people who experience stress and pain. Moreover, they have been used for a number of medical conditions such as;
- Anxiety
- Insomnia
- Seizure disorder or epilepsy
- Parkison’s disease
What Does CBD Stand For in Drinks?
CBD stands for cannabidiol. Cannabidiol is a natural compound that comes from cannabis plants. Despite being a compound from the cannabis plant species, CBD is a non-intoxicating substance and doesn’t cause psychoactive effects.
Instead of CBD, it is the THC in cannabis plants that cause psychoactive effects. THC or Tetrahydrocannabinol is a chemical in marijuana that causes neurological effects. It is also the substance responsible for making people feel “high”. CBD and THC do come from the same cannabis plant species but their effects are different.
Medical News Today says that taking CBD alone does not pose addiction-related effects which are most probably because it does not produce intoxicating effects. In addition, the World Health Organization (WHO) also states that CBD doesn’t have abuse potential or cause harm.
Although CBD has a stigma attached to its name, it has shown potential health benefits. Harvard Health Publishing states that CBD may help with ailments like anxiety, insomnia, and chronic pain. It is also used to treat epilepsy or also known as a seizure disorder.
Types of CBD Used in CBD Drinks
CBD drinks are not made equal. CBD products come from different brands and manufacturers and offer different flavors and amounts of CBD. In addition, they may contain different types of CBD that deliver different effects. Below we discuss these types one by one.
- Full-Spectrum CBD
It contains all the beneficial content of cannabis and includes small trace amounts of THC.
- Broad-Spectrum CBD
Like full-spectrum CBD, this CBD type contains parts of the cannabinoid plant, however, it typically doesn’t contain THC.
- CBD Isolate or Pure CBD
This CBD contains only the CBD and no other parts of the cannabis plant.
How Much CBD Is in CBD Kombucha?
The amount of CBD in CBD Kombucha products varies depending on the brand. Essentially, these amounts can vary from as low as 10 mg. up to 50 mg. If you are new to drinking CBD Kombucha we recommend starting with CBD Kombucha with a low CBD content like 10 mg. If 10 mg. seems to offer little effect to you, you may try products with higher CBD content next time.
It is important to start with a low CBD content to avoid overwhelming your body with the potential effects. As we have mentioned above, the efficacy of CBD Kombucha is affected by the amount of CBD. Products with higher CBD content tend to offer higher efficacy and stronger effect than those with lower CBD content.
How Does CBD Kombucha Make You Feel?
The way CBD Kombucha products make you feel may differ from one brand to another. Nevertheless, these are usually the effects of drinking CBD Kombucha.
- Helps you relax
- Allows you to feel more comfortable
- Aids in your sleep
- Alleviates pain levels
The intensity and longevity of these effects may be affected by the amount of CBD content and the CBD types in the Kombucha drink.
Are Drinks with CBD Safe?
Despite not having mind-altering effects and most experts saying that CBD products do not have negative impacts on health, CBD drinks are not completely safe for everyone. There are still potential side effects and risks that come with taking CBD products. Below, we list the potential harm of CBD to your body according to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
- Liver injury
- Affect other drugs’ efficacy
- When taken with alcohol or drugs that slow brain activity, CBD may increase the risk of sedation or drowsiness leading to injuries
- Damage to fertility in males or male offspring of women exposed to CBD
- Change in alertness
- Gastrointestinal distress in the form of diarrhea or decrease in appetite
- Change in mood
Some people are also not encouraged to take any CBD product including CBD drinks. These people include:
- Pregnant or breastfeeding women
- Children
- People on medication as CBD may interact with your medicine
If you want to take CBD products but belong to the group of people mentioned above, we recommend seeking advice from your doctor first.
