CBD is surging in popularity like nothing else. From CBD cocktails to decadent desserts, new and exciting CBD cuisine is sweeping the world. Many restaurants have taken a special interest in cannabidiol (CBD) as a food ingredient. It’s no longer uncommon to visit your favorite restaurant and see the compound on the menu.
Here are some of the best ways restaurants are incorporating hemp in their dishes:
CBD Infused Foods: Why Spend on CBD Dining?
Cannabidiol is sourced from hemp. The most efficient method used to extract CBD from hemp is called supercritical carbon dioxide extraction.
In supercritical carbon dioxide extraction, all plant matter is removed, including waxes and pigments, to ensure only the most important cannabis compounds are leftover.
One great thing about hemp is that it contains less than the legally permitted amount of THC (.3%). THC, or tetrahydrocannabinol, is the psychoactive part of marijuana known for causing a high.
After processing the oil from the plant, farmers process it before testing its purity and potency so heavy metals, pesticides, and other impurities don’t contaminate the end product.
Hemp oil is great for health.
Puce CBD oils with a hemp base contain a whole host of healthy nutrients, such as omega-3 fatty acids, vitamins, and minerals. These compounds improve heart health, promote digestion, alleviate anxiety, and act as sleep-aids, among other things.
However, hemp oils, including cannabidiol, have a low smoke point, so you have to take special care while cooking them. High temperatures can denature the oil and drastically change the flavor.
CBD Restaurants & CBD Infused Foods: Legal Rigmarole
It’s only fair that there is a CBD restaurant right down your alley, considering how crazy the world is about the compound nowadays. But, the truth is that things have been slow.
In 2018, the US legalized CBD at the federal level with the introduction of the Farm Bill.
The bill’s regulations came under the auspices of the FDA, but the regulatory authority has been hesitant to furnish a regulatory framework to match consumer demands, which has created a lot of cynicism in the minds of restaurant owners.
Ensuring a safe food supply is one of the main responsibilities of the FDA. The authority can regulate food ingredients and as cannabidiol is an ingredient in food dining, this is a major issue in the eyes of the FDA.
Currently, the FDA’s stance on CBD as a food additive is clear — it’s not safe. But, this is mainly because CBD science is still in its infancy. There isn’t enough evidence to dismiss CBD’s safety profile. Anecdotal evidence suggests that the compound is safe for consumption. There have been no reports of the drug causing overdoses or severe side effects.
That said, most CBD restaurants don’t use CBD across state lines. Most states have their own FDA laws and policies. States like New York have banned CBD use as a food additive despite federal legalization.
This means that the restaurants are left to their own devices and have to determine themselves whether they should serve their customers with CBD-infused foods or not.
Top CBD Restaurants You Need to Give a Chance
The restaurants that are providing CBD dining are attracting a lot of consumers. Because of this, CBD is gradually becoming a customer favorite, even when used as a delicacy. People find CBD dining a delicious way to meet their daily CBD quota. Here are some top CBD restaurants functioning today:
Monarch & The Milkweed
Monarch & the Milkweed head chef is not new to CBD. Andrew Sturgeon spent a good time in dispensaries to know everything there is to know about the compound. As soon as CBD got legal, he pounced on the opportunity and released a new line of CBD treats that won over the hearts of everyone who visited Monarch & the Milkweed.
Based in Burlington and Vermont, the restaurant’s CBD menu is ever-changing. However, there are some staples you should try out. These include:
- Strawberry Blondes
- Bon Bon
- White Chocolate Truffles
Marijuana is legal in Vermont. While many of the restaurant’s products many not contain THC, some might. So, if you have scheduled drug tests or have to travel across states, it’s best to ask the customer-cordial staff to serve you with only one thing: CBD-only dishes.
Grön Café
Want to fill your appetite with desserts swimming in your favorite toppings? Look no further than the Grone café, renowned for its mouth-watering CBD treats. There’s a reason why CNN dubbed them the “Willy Wonka of CBD!”
Chef’s at Gron Café love to couple cannabidiol with chocolate and caramel. You’ll get some of the best beverages and sweets in this combination. If you’re looking for recommendations, here are our favorite delicacies at Grone’s café to nudge you in the right direction:
- Chocolate-Filled Croissants
- Hot Chocolate w/ Homemade Whipped Cream & Shortbread Cookie
- Caramel Latte
- Fair Trade Dark Chocolate Bar
Zenbarn
It would be a crime for a place named Zenbarn to not have CBD on the menu.
Another restaurant located in Vermont, the prime attraction of Zenbarn is its ambiance. Zenbarn is a rustic themed place with a farm-to-table philosophy. The place wants you to feel so cozy that it even has a yoga studio and live music at night.
The food at Zenbarn will make your tongue salivate. Every CBD infused salad and burger is a feast for the taste buds. Some top picks at Zenbarn include:
- CBD Aioli
- CBD Butter Bun
- Gin and Chronic
- Le Verde
- Up in Smoke
- CBD Honey Vinaigrette
- CBD Caramel (For desserts, but we won’t judge if it ends up on your salad!)
Ask About CBD At Your Favorite Restaurant
This is just the beginning. In the future, CBD restaurants are expected to crowd every marketplace. As legalization paces forwards, you’ll find a lot of local cafes, bistros, and coffee houses using CBD in their flagship products.
Many people believe that cannabidiol is just another health fad. But, now perceptions are changing. Scientific evidence is backing the compound’s benefits. In 2019, the FDA approved the first CBD-based drug called Epidiolex to treat pediatric epilepsy, proving that the compound not only has the potential to treat serious conditions but also become a safe staple in delicious foods.
