What Does CBD Oil Taste Like? 7 Ways to Make It Taste Better
Summarize
According to a Gallup survey, 14 percent of Americans use CBD products. This number will trend upwards as people get more familiar with their benefits and use, and as more states legalize THC, which is present in some CBD products. Like any item that can be consumed, it is natural to ask, “What does CBD oil taste like?” and “What does CBD oil smell like?”
Table of Contents
CBD Oil Taste
CBD oil that is not enhanced is described in different ways. Since CBD extract comes from the cannabis plant, it is not surprising that people describe the flavor using terms like the following.
- Earthy
- Leafy
- Lightly grassy
- Somewhat bitter or sour
- Medicine-like
CBD oil is made by extracting CBD from the hemp plant and diluting the extract with a carrier oil (e.g., MCT, hemp seed, or olive oil). By contrast, hemp seed oil is cold-pressed from seeds and contains no CBD; its flavor is typically mild and nutty. CBD oils often have a more earthy or herbal taste because the extract retains aromatic terpenes (and sometimes chlorophyll), and the carrier oil also contributes to the final flavor.
CBD Oil Smell
Does CBD smell? Some CBD oils have a similar odor to marijuana, but it is usually much milder. The terpene composition of the CBD determines its scent. Terpenes are the aromatic compounds found in plants that give the plants their distinctive scents. The scents work to attract pollinators or deter predators.
Does CBD Have a Smell of Weed?
Yes, CBD oils sometimes smell like weed, especially full spectrum oils and RSO. The distinctive “weed” aroma doesn’t come from CBD itself; it’s mainly the terpenes (aromatic compounds such as myrcene, pinene, and caryophyllene) naturally present in hemp that create herbal, skunky, or citrusy notes. Products that retain more of these terpenes tend to smell more “cannabis-like,” while highly refined formats, for example, CBD isolate, are nearly odorless.
It isn’t THC you’re smelling. By U.S. law, hemp-derived CBD comes from plants containing no more than 0.3% delta-9 THC (dry weight). The aroma intensity reflects the terpene profile and processing, rather than THC content.
How is CBD Oil Made?
The taste and odor of CBD oil depend on the plant profile, the extraction method, and the type of CBD extract used. CBD (cannabidiol) is found in both hemp and marijuana plants. A. Cannabis contains more than 80 biologically active compounds, of which THC and CBD are the most recognized. THC is a federally controlled substance, though some states have legalized marijuana.
The CBD that is federally legal comes from the Cannabis sativa L. plant (hemp plant), which has a concentration of THC that is 0.3 percent or less. CBD is extracted from the whole plant – flowers, stems, leaves, and stalks. The plant parts are ground up and placed in an extraction machine.
Popular Extraction Methods
Various methods are used to extract CBD oil. Carbon dioxide (CO2) is a common method of extraction. Cannabis material is placed in a chamber. CO2 is pumped into the chamber at a pressure that maintains the CO2 in a liquid-like state. The CO2 absorbs the oils and flavors. It is then pumped into a separate chamber where the CO2 returns to a gas state. The oil and flavors are collected.
Another standard extraction method is ethanol extraction. High-grade ethanol (grain alcohol) is used as a solvent to separate CBD and cannabinoids from the plant.
CBD Spectrum
The CBD spectrums are a result of the extraction process.
- CBD full spectrum – All cannabinoids, terpenes, flavonoids, and other compounds are retained during extraction and can include trace amounts of THC. These products tend to be darker, with a herbal, earthy, hempy, and sometimes peppery note, and a lingering aftertaste. Terpenes (e.g., myrcene, caryophyllene) and a hint of chlorophyll contribute to the more pungent aroma.
- CBD broad spectrum – All cannabinoids, terpenes, and other compounds are extracted, but THC is removed. The flavor in these products is softer and cleaner than full spectrum, still lightly herbal, but easier to mask with mint or citrus flavors. Smell is moderate.
- CBD isolate – During the CBD extraction process, only CBD is left. All other cannabinoids, terpenes, and compounds are removed. There’s little to no aroma and only a faint taste. What you notice mostly comes from the carrier oil.
After extraction, the impurities are filtered out, which increases the potency of the CBD oil. The next step is distillation, a filtration process that removes any remaining impurities and extracts the desired CBD, cannabinoids, and other compounds (depending on the spectrum being manufactured).
Finally, CBD oil is typically mixed with a carrier oil and may also contain other ingredients, depending on the specific product.
Carrier oils noticeably change the flavor profile. MCT is essentially neutral, hemp seed oil tastes nutty, and olive oil adds a green and peppery note. In general, greater refinement and winterization produce a lighter color and milder taste, while less-refined extracts retain a richer flavor and stronger smell.
Taste and Smell by CBD Spectrum Chart
| Spectrum | Typical taste and smell | Who it suits |
|---|---|---|
| Full spectrum CBD | Strong herbal aroma (terpenes retained) | Users who like natural hemp profile |
| Broad spectrum CBD | Milder hemp notes, added flavors help | Users who want a plant profile without THC |
| Isolate CBD | Nearly neutral | Users sensitive to flavor |
Ways to Take CBD Oil
There are multiple ways to take CBD oil. Here, you can learn more about the various types of CBD products.
- Swallow the oil
- Place drops of a tincture under the tongue
- Swallow CBD oil capsules, tablets, and pills
- Chew CBD gummies
- Add the CBD oil to edibles (food and drink)
Advantages of Putting CBD Oil Under Your Tongue
A CBD tincture is a form of CBD oil that is placed under the tongue. The reason it is placed under the tongue is that CBD is absorbed more quickly through the mucous membranes located beneath the tongue. CBD oil bypasses the digestive system, allowing CBD to be delivered directly to the bloodstream. The CBD is usually more potent, too, because CBD is not diluted during the normal digestive process. It is also an ideal method for people who have trouble swallowing capsules and tablets.
Tips to Find a CBD Oil You Like or Methods for Making CBD Oil Taste Better
Some people are very sensitive to taste and odors and do not like the earthy or bitter taste of CBD oil, but they also dislike unflavored CBD oil. So, how to flavor CBD oil? The following are some ways to improve the taste of CBD oil.
1. Choose a flavored carrier oil
Mix CBD oil with a flavored carrier oil of your choice, or purchase a pre-mixed CBD oil.
2. Find CBD oil with no taste
CBD isolate oils have little to no flavor or smell because it is 99% pure CBD. It does not contain terpenes, which are the primary compound that gives CBD oil its flavor. Tasteless CBD oil provides a lot of flexibility in terms of how you use the product or what you mix it with, allowing for a specific flavor to be desired.
3. Choose flavored CBD oils and tinctures
Flavored CBD oil is CBD oil pre-mixed with a flavored carrier oil and is available in various flavors, including peppermint, orange, citrus, lemon, and many more.
4. Try CBD with terpenes and essential oils
Choose full spectrum or broad spectrum CBD oils which contain terpenes and plant essential oils or add essential oils to CBD isolate. All three CBD oil spectrums are also available pre-mixed with essential oils, like lavender essence and chamomile essence.
5. Combine CBD oil with food or drinks
Add oil to food or drinks as an ingredient to mask the flavor.
6. Try CBD edibles and gummies
Consume CBD oils in various forms that are already flavored and taste good, such as edibles, gummies, lollipops, and candies.
7. Take CBD oil capsules, softgels, or tablets
Try taking CBD softgels to bypass the taste buds if you are unable to find a flavor you enjoy. For individuals who experience issues with odors more than flavors, consider mixing CBD oil with refined coconut oil. Due to the refining process used in coconut oil, no odor is detectable.
If CBD oil tastes very bitter or sour to you, try masking the flavor. What flavor masks a sour taste? The best flavor choices are raspberry, licorice, and citrus.
Something for Everyone
CBD oil with no flavoring agents may have an earthy taste, but many people prefer it. It serves as a reminder that they are using a natural substance – a gift from nature. If the earthy taste is not to your liking, there are numerous options available for finding a product that suits your taste and smell preferences. CBD oil is a versatile product that is now available in many forms, allowing you to choose how you prefer to consume or apply it.
FAQs
Does CBD Oil Go Bad and Start to Taste Rancid?
Yes, over time, the carrier oil can oxidize and go rancid, giving the tincture a stale, sour, or paint-like aftertaste. Heat, light, and oxygen speed this up, so keep the bottle cool, dark, and tightly sealed. Most products remain suitable for 12–24 months when unopened. Once opened, use them within a few months for optimal flavor. If it smells or tastes off, it’s time to replace it.
Why Does My CBD Oil Taste Bitter?
Bitterness usually comes from terpenes and chlorophyll in less-refined, full spectrum extracts. A minor oxidation can also add bite. If the taste isn’t your thing, choose a flavored tincture, a THC-free broad spectrum or isolate CBD oil in neutral MCT oil, or mix your dose into a strongly flavored drink or food.
Will My Breath Smell Like Weed After Taking CBD Oil?
Sometimes, it can, especially with full spectrum CBD oils rich in terpenes, but the scent fades within minutes and isn’t from THC. To keep things discreet, opt for flavored tinctures, use capsules or gummies, or follow your dose with water and a mint.
Sources
- https://news.gallup.com/poll/263147/americans-say-cbd-products.aspx
- https://cen.acs.org/biological-chemistry/natural-products/Cannabis-industry-crafty-terpenes/97/i29
- https://www.fda.gov/news-events/public-health-focus/fda-regulation-cannabis-and-cannabis-derived-products-including-cannabidiol-cbd#whatare
- https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/pharmacology-toxicology-and-pharmaceutical-science/sublingual-route
- https://www.webmd.com/skin-problems-and-treatments/psoriasis/qa/are-there-different-types-of-coconut-oil
- https://www.imedpub.com/articles/taste-masking-a-unique-approach-for-bitter-drugs.php?aid=20177
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