2 MIN READ | GEORGIA SMITH
what does hemp taste like?
If you’ve never tried hemp, you might have heard off-putting tales about the flavor of hemp and CBD products. Words like bitter and earthy get thrown around. It’s no wonder that flavor fears keep some people from trying hemp at all. But it turns out hemp doesn’t have to taste like something a cow would eat. It’s actually possible to make hemp products that are completely flavor-free. More on that later.
IF IT’S SO…EARTHY, WHY DO PEOPLE WANT TO INGEST HEMP IN THE FIRST PLACE?
Hemp might look like other plants, but beneath that unassuming leafy exterior hides some extraordinary compoundscalled phytocannabinoids (phyto means plant) and there are 113 known cannabinoids today.
And they can help support your body’s ability to maintain homeostasis. Cannabinoids have neuroprotective, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant properties. They can help minimize the impact of oxidative stressors, which can help fight disease.
In short, our bodies crave hemp. More specifically, our bodies crave hemp’s cannabinoids.
Full-spectrum hemp products, that’s hemp with all the cannabinoids, includes trace amounts of THC. People who want to avoid THC should opt for broad spectrum or CBD isolate products instead. CBD is the most prevalent cannabinoid in hemp and research has shown to be beneficial for inflammation, sleep, energy, and more.
BUT BACK TO THE FLAVOR QUESTION
When you ask, “what does hemp taste like?” you’re actually asking a complicated question.
Do you mean full-spectrum hemp, broad-spectrum hemp, or CBD isolate? Are you taking it as a tincture, powder, or concentrate? How the hemp is processed can affect the taste. So can the amount of hemp in the product you’re ingesting.
Full-spectrum and broad-spectrum hemp products tend to have that characteristic herbaceous taste. Some people don’t mind it. Others find it so off-putting that they’ve given up on hemp products altogether. That’s a shame because it means their body is missing out on the benefits that cannabinoids provide.
Tinctures tend to have the strongest flavors. Since you have to hold them in your mouth for about 60 seconds to get the full effect, the taste can be a real drawback here. Edibles and gummies vary in flavor. Some add competing flavors to try to mask the taste (with varying levels of success). Still others include lower levels of hemp or CBD to avoid overpowering flavors. That means you may not be getting as much hemp as you think in each dose.
Some brands of CBD isolate use a process that strips away some of the earthiness. But this can still leave a bitter taste behind. Once again, some people don’t mind it. Others do.
FLAVORLESS HEMP IS WITHIN REACH
It’s time to stop asking “what does hemp taste like?” and start asking “what could help taste like?” The answer is: anything you want — or nothing at all.
Flavorless hemp-derived CBD isolate powder is within reach, at least it is if you have a Zolt mixie stick in your pocket or purse. Unlike some CBD isolates that retain a bitter taste, Zolt CBD isolate is completely taste-free. Really. Mix Zolt Even in a glass of clear water and all you’ll taste is…water.
Our other CBD isolate mixes are flavored to delight your palate. And every variety of water soluble CBD is formulated to be up to five times more bioavailable than other ingestible formats, which means more of the hemp can be used by your body (and quickly!).
But don’t just take our word for it. Grab a box of Zolt mixie sticks and taste for yourself.
MORE FROM THE JOURNAL
