Making Wedding Butter: A Step-By-Step Guide

Making weed butter, or cannabutter, is a simple process that can be done at home. It involves infusing butter with cannabis, which can then be used in any recipe that calls for butter or oil. The first step in making cannabutter is to decarboxylate the cannabis, which involves heating it in the oven at a low temperature to activate the THC. The next step is to infuse the decarbed cannabis into butter or another fat such as olive oil, coconut oil, or ghee. This can be done on the stovetop, in a slow cooker, or with a double boiler. The mixture should be simmered at a low temperature for several hours to allow the cannabis to fully infuse into the fat. Finally, the mixture is strained to remove the plant material, and the butter is allowed to cool and solidify. It's important to note that dosing homemade edibles can be difficult, so it's recommended to start with a low dose and increase as needed.

Decarbing: the process of heating cannabis to convert THCA to THC, which will then get you high

Decarbing, or decarboxylation, is an essential step in making edibles as it activates the cannabinoids in marijuana so that they can be consumed. In short, it involves heating the cannabis flower so that the THCA and CBDA naturally found in the plant are converted to THC and CBD.

When cannabis is smoked, the heat converts THCA into THC, delivering the iconic intoxicating effects that consumers seek. However, when making edibles, the cannabis must be decarbed first to achieve the same effects. During decarboxylation, THCA loses its extra carboxylic group, liberates carbon dioxide, and transforms into THC.

The ideal temperature for decarbing cannabis is between 200 and 250 °F for 25 to 45 minutes. At 220ºF, THCA will start to transform into THC. The ideal temperature range will help preserve and activate cannabinoids and terpenes without destroying them. If the temperature is too high or the cannabis is left in the oven for too long, the THC will be destroyed.

To decarb cannabis in the oven, first preheat the oven to 240-250°F. Then, break up the buds into small, even chunks using scissors or a grinder. Avoid breaking it down into a fine powder to prevent burning. Place the cannabis on a parchment-lined baking sheet and heat for 30 to 40 minutes, stirring occasionally. The buds should become golden brown and fill the room with a pungent aroma. Once done, remove the cannabis from the oven and let it cool before grinding it to the perfect consistency.

Decarbing is a crucial step in making weed butter, or cannabutter, as it ensures that the final product contains THC and delivers euphoric effects. Skipping this step will result in butter with little to no cannabis effects.

Choosing your fat: butter is the prototypical fat for infusing with cannabis, but you can also use olive oil, vegetable oil, lard, chicken schmaltz, or vegan butters

Butter is the traditional fat for infusing with cannabis, but it's not your only option. You can also use olive oil, vegetable oil, lard, chicken schmaltz, or vegan butters. Here's a rundown of the pros and cons of each:

Butter

Butter is a popular choice for cannabis infusion because it's versatile, delicious, and has a high fat content, which is essential for binding with THC. However, butter burns easily, so you'll need to keep a close eye on it while cooking. When using butter for cannabis infusion, it's best to use unsalted butter so you can control the salt level in your final product.

Olive Oil

Olive oil is a plant-based oil derived from pressing olives. It has a fruity and slightly bitter taste. Extra virgin olive oil is the highest quality and is ideal for drizzling over salads or finishing dishes. Regular olive oil is a blend of virgin and refined oils and has a higher smoke point, making it suitable for sautéing and frying. Olive oil can be a good substitute for butter in baking recipes, providing moisture and depth of flavor.

Vegetable Oil

Vegetable oil is a blend of different vegetable oils and tends to be less expensive than olive oil. It has a neutral flavor, making it versatile for various dishes. Vegetable oil has a higher smoke point than butter, so it's less likely to burn during the infusion process.

Lard

Lard is a type of solid rendered animal fat, similar to schmaltz and beef tallow. It has a rich, savory flavor and is often used in baking to create flaky, crumbly pastry. However, lard melts at a higher temperature than butter and can leave a residue in the mouth that some people find unpleasant.

Chicken Schmaltz

Schmaltz is rendered chicken fat and is traditionally used in Jewish cooking. It has a distinct savory taste with notes of poultry richness. Schmaltz has a relatively high smoke point of 375°F, making it suitable for high-temperature cooking. It adds richness to roasted potatoes, vegetables, and even pie crusts.

Vegan Butters

Vegan butters are made with a base of nut and vegetable oils, such as macadamia, coconut, sunflower, or avocado oil. They have a spreadable texture and a nutty, buttery flavor. Vegan butters are a good option for those following a vegan or dairy-free diet. They can be used as a 1:1 substitute for dairy butter in most recipes, although they cannot be browned like dairy butter.

Simmering: the cannabis and butter mixture should be simmered on low heat for at least three hours, but no more than four hours

Once you've decarboxylated your cannabis, it's time to infuse it with butter. This is a time-intensive step, as the mixture should be simmered on low heat for at least three hours, but no more than four hours. This long cooking time allows the cannabis to fully infuse into the butter. The longer the mixture simmers, the more potent your cannabutter will be.

When simmering, it's important to keep the heat very low. If using a stovetop, a temperature of 180°F is recommended. If using a Crock-Pot or slow cooker, use the lowest setting. This gentle heat will prevent the butter from burning.

During the simmering process, stir the mixture occasionally to ensure even cooking and prevent burning. If using a stovetop, stir the mixture every half hour.

After the simmering is complete, your cannabutter is ready to be strained and stored.

Straining: once the mixture has finished simmering, it needs to be strained through a cheesecloth or mesh strainer to remove the plant material

Once your mixture has finished simmering, it's time to strain your cannabutter. This is a crucial step in the process of making weed butter as it removes the plant material, which would otherwise give your butter a bad taste.

To strain your cannabutter, you'll need either a cheesecloth or a mesh strainer. Place a few layers of cheesecloth over a jar and secure it with a rubber band so it doesn't slip while you strain. If you don't have cheesecloth, you can also use a coffee filter. The average metal food strainer will be too coarse for this step.

Slowly pour the butter through the cheesecloth or mesh strainer, giving it time to adequately drain. Once it's fully strained, you can dispose of or compost the leftover plant material.

After straining, let the butter cool to room temperature. You can then use the cannabutter immediately or store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator or freezer for later use. It will stay fresh in the fridge for up to six months and even longer in the freezer.

Refrigerating: place the jar of butter in the fridge and let it solidify before using, ideally overnight

Once you've made your weed butter, it's important to let it solidify before using it. Place the jar of butter in the fridge and let it sit ideally overnight. If you're short on time, it should solidify within a few hours. If you're really pressed for time, you can speed up the process by putting it in the freezer.

If you've added water to your cannabutter to prevent scalding, you may find that there is some separation once it's been refrigerated. If there is excess water at the bottom of the jar, remove the solid butter with a knife and drain out the water.

It's important to note that the longer you leave your cannabutter to infuse, the more potent it will be. A longer infusion time will also result in a stronger cannabis flavour. If you're looking for a milder effect, you can reduce the infusion time or add regular butter to your mixture.

Before you use your cannabutter, it's a good idea to test it out to make sure you're happy with the potency. Start with a small amount, around 1/4 to 1/2 a teaspoon, and wait about an hour to see how it affects you. Adjust the dosage in your future creations accordingly.

Frequently asked questions