Summary of key points
There are over 1800 types of cheese, each with its own unique taste, identity, and cultural background. Of course, it’s high in calories, but everyone can vouch for the yummy taste and texture that it adds to dishes. But what if you could make it even better by infusing it with the goodness of some of the best CBD oils? Yep, you read that right. You can easily make CBD-infused cheese at home and bring a little more taste and flavor to your wellness journey. CBD, or cannabidiol, is known for its anxiety-reducing, stress-relieving, pain-relieving, and sleep-inducing effects, and pairing it with your favorite cheese can be a hella fun and healthy activity. So if you are tired of the same old bland-tasting CBD oils, it’s time to mix things up and kick up your cooking game with some CBD-infused cheese. Being a fatty food, cheese will also result in better absorption of CBD in the body. Read on to find out about the most efficient and effective method of making CBD-infused cheese at your home.
Ingredients Required
- Whole Milk
- Cheese Culture
- Rennet Tablet
- Unflavored CBD oil
- Salt
Equipment RequiredÂ
- Big pot for heating the milk
- Spoon for stirring
- Food Thermometer
- Colander/Cheesecloth
- Mixing BowlÂ
Step-by-Step Process To Make CBD-Infused Chesse
Now that we’ve gathered all the equipment and ingredients, let’s take a look at the step-by-step process to make some delicious CBD-infused cheese.Â
Step1: Prepare the milkÂ
First, let’s prepare the milk by heating it in a big pot. Don’t let the temperature exceed 85–1000 °F. Keep on stirring occasionally, and keep a check on temperature using a food thermometer.Â
Once the desired temperature appears on the thermometer screen, add some cheese culture or Rennet tablets to the pot to initiate the curdling process.Â
Step 2: Add CBD Oil
Get some high-quality CBD oil; make sure it’s unflavored. Now measure the amount using a precise kitchen scale and add it to the warm milk that we just prepared.Â
Be cautious about dosage, especially if you are a beginner. You may keep it between 30 and 60 mg CBD for every four cups of milk. Keep stirring to spread it evenly.Â
Step 3: Set It Aside
Now take the pot and keep it aside for a while so the curing process can start. It will take around 30–60 minutes for solid curd blocks to separate from the whey liquid.Â
Once it’s done, gently pour the curd into a good-quality cheesecloth or strainer, and make sure that all the whey liquid is drained completely.Â
Step 4: Put it in molds
Now gently press these blocks into cheese molds so that they don’t lose shape when the cheese firms up. You may use a cheese mold or simply a bowl lined with cheesecloth to press these freshly prepared curd blocks.Â
You can also press it under some weight for a few minutes in case you are aiming for hard cheese.Â
Voila, Your Cheese Is Ready
Yep, if you are aiming for fresh cheese types like ricotta, then your cheese is now ready after the draining and molding process. If you are aiming for hard consistency, the curd blocks now need time to fully develop flavor and texture through an aging process. This can last from a couple of weeks to over a year if stored at cool temperatures around 50–55 °F.
How To Enhance The Taste Of CBD-Infused Chesse?
Most will prefer to consume the freshly prepared version over the aged one. All you have to do now is sprinkle this preparation with some salt, spices, nuts, berries, and herbs of your choice. You may add dried herbs like rosemary, oregano, or dill.Â
Or, spice it up with red pepper flakes, cumin, or garlic powder. People with a sweet tooth can add cinnamon, vanilla, or orange zest. You can even mix in other ingredients, like sun-dried tomatoes, nuts, or fruit. You can give it whatever flavor you want; there’s no limitation.
Now, once everything is mixed and garnished, put it in a covered box in the fridge overnight. Finally, your cheese is now ready to be served. Spread it on toast, add it to salads, and you’ll be able to experience both the delicious flavor and the soothing effects of CBD taking over your body.Â
Remember that whey which we separated? Instead of throwing it away, you can use it to make milkshakes, smoothies, or other beverages.
How To Store The CBD-Infused Cheese Properly?Â
It’s essential to store this CBD-infused cheese properly. Especially, if you are planning to save it and boost your cooking skills for a distant relative who has no near-term plan to visit you.Â
For maximum shelf life, it should be stored in an airtight container or wrapped tightly in cheese paper or parchment paper to prevent it from drying and losing its flavor and texture. If you keep it refrigerated, it can last for several months.Â
Though the duration can vary based on which cheese culture you have opted for, Aged cheeses like cheddar or gouda will last longer than ricotta or cream cheese.Â
For the best dining experience with freshly prepared CBD-infused cheese, you can cube or slice it to eat as a snack, maybe with crackers, bread, or fruit. The cheese can also be melted into hot dishes like soups, sauces, and quesadillas, or on top of pizza or pasta dishes while cooking.Â
You can also shred it to make a tasty topping for salads, tacos, chili, and more. For dessert, it can be used to make rich CBD-infused cheesecakes or other sweet treats. Just remember that it’s a fatty food, so keep a close watch on how much you are consuming.Â
Key Takeaways
To sum it up, you can easily make CBD-infused cheese with a minimum of ingredients, equipment, and cooking experience. Just give the above-mentioned process a shot this weekend, and you won’t regret it.Â
It’s a perfect add-on to have with some popcorn on movie night. CBD-infused cheese is the perfect way to avoid hemp’s earthy taste and experience its goodness with some finger-licking flavor and taste.Â
Just be mindful of how much you use it; maybe just keep it a weekend snack-topping thing. For your day-to-day relaxing dose, it’s better to stick with regular CBD gummies or oils, as they don’t have as high caloric values as cheese.Â
Finally, to prepare CBD-infused cheese, only use high-quality, third-party, lab-tested CBD oil from reputable and transparent brands like Colorado Botanicals.