I can hear it now: “Say what?! Coffee with CBD?!” Yes, you read that correctly. With CBD being legalized in more and more states a new product has appeared on the market: coffee infused with CBD oil. I also don’t see why you couldn’t put a couple of drops of CBD oil into your cup of morning espresso, drip coffee, or latte. I’ve even got a voucher code for cbdMD, which is a high quality purveyor of CBD products.
Different kinds of CBD
First things first, let’s talk about the different kinds of CBD (which stands for cannabidiol). There is CBD which is derived from marijuana plants that does contain THC, which is the compound that is responsible for the ‘high’ feeling. This is illegal on the federal level, but legal in some states. Usually this is not the kind included with most CBD infused coffee or CBD lattes, however you should always check first if you want to avoid THC.
There is also the CBD derived from the hemp plant, and this will contain less than 3% THC which means you will not get the feeling of being ‘high’. Quite the opposite, this type of CBD is often used for its calming effects, and it’s also been used to treat chronic inflammation and pain such as from arthritis. Hemp-derived CBD products are legal on the federal level, but not in some states so you should look into that carefully before purchasing any.
How does caffeine and CBD work together?
A lot of people think that coffee and CBD seem like an odd combination, because if coffee makes you more alert and CBD calms you wouldn’t they just cancel each other out? Actually, the hemp-derived CBD is a mild stimulant when taken in small enough doses. It also seems to have the effect of ‘evening out’ the stimulation from the caffeine when they are taken together. You feel alert and focused, but not jittery or anxious as you might if you just drank a lot of coffee. Everyone is different and you will need to try things out for yourself, but some CBD coffee drinkers find one cup of regular coffee or espresso to one cup with CBD added to be the perfect dose.
I first thought of adding CBD to my espressos because of the bulletproof coffee that became popular a few years ago. The idea was that by adding some fat to the coffee (sometimes via coconut oil, sometimes by coffee) you would slow the caffeine absorption rate and avoid the shaky hands and heart palpitations. I did a little research and yep, lots of people had already began adding CBD oil to their coffee and I was surprised to find there were already a few brands of CBD infused coffee on the market.
The Breville Infuser review
The Breville Infuser set out to make an espresso machine for home use that would be as good as the ones in coffee bars. The intent was to make a specialty espresso machine for third wave coffees, which I would say CBD blends definitely fall into. If you are unfamiliar with the term ‘third wave coffee’, it largely refers to specialty roasts and beans. This is the stuff for coffee aficionados, where the story behind the beans and the flavour is more important than the price or the fact that it doesn’t give you any more of a kick than the Folgers. Third wave coffee is about enjoying the experience of making and drinking the coffee.
Although some people might enjoy the ritual of grinding the beans and filling up their Mr. Coffee drip machine, there is definitely a market for high end espresso machines at home. Enter the Breville Infuser. It’s got a hefty price tag at $579.95, although depending on how often you were running out for coffee at $5-6 a pop this might end up saving you money long term. Some people hear the word ‘espresso’ and wrinkle their nose, as they find it too strong. However you can use the Breville Infuser to make a variety of other coffee drinks like Americanos, lattes, cafe au lait, and iced coffees, just to name a few.
So the first thing I will say is that there are a lot of customizable options on the Breville Infuser, and you may need to make some adjustments to find the perfect cup of espresso for you. It also does not have a built-in coffee grinder, you will need to pre-grind your beans before adding them to the machine. I would suggest using a burr grinder to get the best results. Lack of a built-in grinder does make it smaller than a lot of other models though, which may be a pro if you are working with a small space. If you are a fan of lattes it also includes a steam element to finish things off nice and frothy.
My only real negatives are the price tag, and it can be a little difficult to clean and descale. Overall, once you figure out the exact inputs to get your dosing correct it’s a great machine and the coffee is delicious. If you really love coffee, it’s worth the investment. If you’re a pretty casual caffeine consumer, I’d say stick with a cheaper drip model. If you’re really looking to get the best flavour out of your CBD coffee, which I have never found to taste odd or ‘like weed’, it’s a great option.