CBD edibles are a very popular product for people who are trying cannabidiol for the first time. CBD oil in its natural form does not taste great, and there’s still a bit of a mental hurdle people have from the long stigma against marijuana. However, CBD is not marijuana; it is a safer alternative that doesn’t make you feel high, but still offers a lot of benefits for your health and wellness.

If you like edibles, it may be time to start cooking with CBD yourself. It’s a great way to get delicious treats and dishes that you know and love, while getting all of the benefits CBD has to offer. If you love cooking and have jumped into the CBD bandwagon, here are five tips to get you started.

#1) Use the Best Quality CBD Oil You Can Find
The first and most important tip is to avoid thinking that you can use just any CBD to cook with. This isn’t like cooking wine. When you cook with CBD, you may lose some of its potency depending on the recipe you follow. You can get good quality CBD that doesn’t cost any more than others, it’s a matter of picking a brand that offers things like lab test results to certify its quality, like Zen Garden Organics CBD.

#2) Practice with Small Batches
As you get started, it’s safer to start in small batches and then scale it up once you have a feel for it. First, as you get used to the process of infusing the CBD into your recipe, you don’t want to waste a large amount of CBD because you made a mistake. Second, you don’t want to accidentally use too much or too little and have to start over again after making a huge meal.

#3) Use Some Kind of Fat
The best way to infuse CBD into your recipe is through some kind of fat or oil. Butter works very well, as does something like olive oil. In fact you can now find olive oil that has already been infused with CBD, which can save you that step in your recipe. This is because CBD is fat-soluble, so your body will absorb it better when combined with fat.

#4) Avoid Direct Heat
One thing to avoid is cooking where the CBD is exposed to direct heat. The higher the temperature, the more the CBD can be broken down and lose its potency. It’s fine if the CBD is not exposed to heat directly, such as if it is contained within the food you are cooking. It’s even better if you can work it into a recipe that doesn’t need any heat at all — like infusing it in chocolate, candy, or salads.

#5) Try Recipes You’re Familiar With
The easiest way to work with a recipe is when you’re already very experienced with it. If you have a personal favourite that already uses fats or oils, that would be the best to start with. You already know the process, you know all the ingredients, and you know the ways you can tweak it depending on the ingredients or the circumstances. If you need to adjust something to use less heat, no direct heat, or compensate for how CBD may alter the flavour, it will be much easier for you.

These are the tips you need to get started. Now you can have fun practicing with your own recipes, or looking up great cooking recipes with CBD if you’re feeling really adventurous. Just be careful when having CBD edibles if you take some prescription medication, as it can interact badly with them. Check with your doctor to see if it’s safe, and you can proceed from there.