Cannabis trim is a common term used to describe the excess parts a cultivator must trim, or remove from their plants post-harvest in order to fully maximize a plant’s bloom and, in turn, get more desirable crystals.
Cannabis trim refers to two different types of leaves:
- Sugar leaves are the small leaves that grow out of the buds: Heavily concentrated trichomes, so they’re better for various extractions. Some people do not trim the sugar leaves and just leave them on the buds. This has the advantage of making the harvest heavier and the buds more appealing. In some cases, the sugar leaves are also packed with large amounts of THC.
- Fan leaves are the larger leaves that protrude from the branches: Fewer trichomes and therefore fewer cannabinoids and terpenes, making it less effective for psychoactive products. Since fan leaves contain far fewer trichomes, you won't get a good yield for rosin extract, but you can make edibles with it as we will discuss below.
Typically, removing trim helps remove some unnecessary parts of the plant, at least in terms of smoking. However, the trim should not be deemed useless.
Preparing the trimmings:
Preparing the trimmings is an important part of the process when making edibles. The first step is to gather the leaves and dry them in a well-ventilated area, then chop the dried cannabis leaves into pea-sized pieces. Lastly, remove the stems (Since stems don’t contain enough cannabinoids to affect the potency).
The next step is to decarboxylate. The process involves heating the cannabis to convert inactive THCA and CBDA to active THC and CBD. If you don't properly decarb your cannabis, the moisture from it can cause botulism bacteria to grow in your tinctures, butters or oils - making it an important process.
You’ll need the following equipment:
- An oven
- A baking sheet
- Parchment paper
- Cannabis trim
- Step 1: Preheat the oven to 235 degrees Fahrenheit (120 degrees Celsius). Place the parchment paper on the baking sheet and spread your marijuana, or hemp flower across it.
- Step 2: Bake for approximately 40 minutes
- Step 3: Remove and let cool. The process is now complete.
Making Edibles With Trim:
You can typically use trim just as you would cannabis flower, but there are a few differences to be aware of. Edibles are easy to make with trim, and just as tasty, although it's important to know that you may end up with a more green-colored and pungent tasting end product due to the high levels of chlorophyll.
THC is fat soluble, so you need to put the trim in some type of fat. The most common are oil, butter or milk. Let’s take a look at how you can make the various edibles;
Cannabis Butter (cannabutter):
Infusing butter with cannabis to make ‘cannabutter’ with trimmings is one of the most popular and simplest ways to make cannabis-infused edibles. It is the main ingredient for a wide range of marijuana edibles. Most homemade edibles start with cannabutter. Butter is an ideal host for infused cannabis. Its pliability makes it really versatile for carrying THC and other cannabinoids.
Here is an easy recipe for how to make cannabutter with trim (the sugar leaves removed from harvested plants). What you’ll need:
- Cannabis trim
- Water
- Cookie sheet
- Salted butter
- Stirring spoon
- Cooking pot
- sharp knife
Step 1: After decarboxylating, chop up your trimmings, or use a kitchen blender.
Step 2: Melt your butter in the cooking pot and add water.
Step 3: Add the trim into the pot and let it simmer for about 4-8 hours, but you can let it simmer for longer if you are aiming for extreme potency.
Step 4. Add water as needed because it evaporates and the level in the pot lowers.
Step 5. Strain the mixture after the boiling is complete
Step 6. Place the butter into containers, let it cool and store it in the fridge
Once the process is complete, your cannabutter should look something like this;
How To Dose Cannabutter
Dosing homemade edibles is a complex but necessary part of the process. Each batch varies, depending on your type of cannabis and cooking techniques. All you need to know is how much cannabis you used in your butter and its THCA percentage.
Here is the calculator as provided by ‘INSIDER’;
10 milligrams is the standard dose for edible companies. 10 milligrams will feel relaxing, a bit euphoric, sedative, and calming for most people. If you have never consumed cannabis before, start even lower at 5 milligrams and build from there.
What to make with cannabutter
- Cannabutter fudge
- Peanut butter cookies
- Blondies
- Cheesecake
- Tarts
Cannabis-infused Coconut Oil:
Cannabis-infused coconut oil packs the potency without the animal fat for plant-based edibles. Nearly pure fat, coconut oil effortlessly binds to the cannabinoids in cannabis and has a higher smoke point than some other oils. Coconut oil is an accessible and versatile base for creating strong cannabis infusions, topicals, and medicinal edibles because of its high saturated fat content.
Not only is cannabis-infused coconut oil a great holder of potency, but it is also adaptable to different diets like ketogenic and vegan - all while tasting great. When you compare the coconut oil fat content with Olive oil, there is a difference of over 60% with coconuts taking the lead. This makes Coconut oil a perfect base for every cannabis-edible.
Here's what you will need for the recipe:
- Cannabis trim (amount depends on your desired potency)
- Coconut Oil
- Water
- Mason jar
- Baking Sheet
- Aluminum foil
- Grinder
- Pot (For Cooking)
- Cheesecloth
- Spoon
Step 1: Decarboxylate your trim.
Step 2: Fill your mason jar with coconut oil
Step 3: Fill your pot with water, and keep it over the stove with enough heat that it is not boiling yet.
Step 4: Place the decarboxylated trim and place it into the coconut oil in the mason jar, and seal the lid of the jar tightly.
Step 5: Place the mason jar in the pot and start boiling the water. Keep the temperature remains between 160℉ and below 200℉.
Step 6: Maintain the process for around 4 hours.
Step 7: After 4 hours, strain the coconut oil into a container. Now your coconut oil is ready to be used!
In the end, your cannabis-infused coconut oil should look somewhat similar to this;
What can you make with cannabis-infused coconut oil?
- Cookies
- Cauliflower rice
- Coconut oil chews/macaroons
- Banana bread
- Banana and coconut oil smoothie
It’s clear that neglecting cannabis trim is a massive mistake, and one commonly made. Cannabis trim is the best way to make edibles, and as you can see - the potential is endless. Cannabidiol (CBD) sugar trim available at BlackTieCBD.Net. Search “Flower”, then select “Trim/Shake” within the Quantity filter on the left hand side of the screen. If you would like assistance, please feel free to call us at (888)702-2285. Speak with you soon!
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