Coffee with hemp is a match made in heaven. The energizing warmth of a bold roast tempered with the mellowing effects of hemp makes for well-balanced creation. It is also an enjoyable way to incorporate hemp into a general health regimen. There are multiple ways to consume this creation—whether it is infused with tincture oil, infused k-cups, or infused whole beans. Read on to discover how to best use hemp and coffee together.
But first…
WHY PUT HEMP IN COFFEE?
People prefer hemp in coffee because it tends to temper negative effects from too much caffeine. For this reason, it is a helpful option for the caffeine-sensitive who are prone to jitters or anxiety. But why?
According to a Well + Good article, neuroscientist Leigh Winters explained the science behind caffeine and hemp. She says they both inhibit adenosine, a natural chemical that regulates the sleep/wake cycle in the body. As adenosine builds up, neurotransmitters fire slower, which makes us wind down.
The fact that both caffeine and hemp block adenosine yet result in different physiological responses—caffeine for energy and hemp for relaxation—is unusual. But there are no clear answers to why hemp and coffee make a fabulous duo since little research exists. However, one thought is that hemp can recharge the compound receptors in the body, which can be weakened by too much caffeine.
What people might not realize is coffee is a helpful hemp carrier. Have you ever had a cup and noticed a thin layer of oil swirling on the top? That’s because coffee beans are full of oil that gives them their flavor. Because humans need a carrier oil to help absorb compounds, these natural coffee fats work as an effective conductor.
HOW TO MAKE HEMP COFFEE
How to Make Hemp Tincture Coffee
Many cafes today sell hemp add-ons for honey lattes or matcha teas. But you can save an extra few bucks at the coffee shop and make your own at home! It’s safe to add hemp tincture oil directly into a hot cup. Hot coffee is usually around 160 to 185 degrees Fahrenheit, which will not kill off any hemp compounds. It’s when you get over 320 degrees Fahrenheit that heat starts to damage the compounds.
The tincture oil will float on top of the liquid because of the carrier oil, so it requires a few stirs. Another option is to mix hemp into honey to then add to a latte or drip coffee. Using tincture oil is one of the few methods that allow you to customize your dose size.
How to Make Hemp Coffee Pods
For hemp k-cups, grounds are typically pre-mixed with hemp isolate. Hemp Isolate is tasteless, so it works well with coffee where the flavor is of the utmost importance. In coffee pods, you can infuse each cup with about 20 milligrams of pure hemp isolate.
Americans drink two to three cups of coffee per day, so split the difference between two cups to equal just a little over a 33-milligram dose that is common in other hemp drinks.
How to Infuse Coffee Beans with Hemp
To infuse whole beans with hemp, one option is soaking the coffee in a hemp isolate solution. The beans will absorb the liquid and then dry out, leaving behind hemp-infused whole beans. The challenge with hemp coffee is narrowing down the exact dose. There are about 22 nine-ounce cups in a 12-ounce bag. Divide the amount of hemp per bag by 22 to get a good estimate of how much hemp is in each cup.
How Much Hemp to Put in Coffee
Hemp’s effects are often dose-dependent. The amount of caffeine and the amount of hemp ingested makes all the difference in your response. Some suggest a 2 to 10-milligram microdose of hemp increases alertness. A dosage over 10 milligrams might be more calming, according to the Well + Good article. A higher dose might be more beneficial for someone with caffeine-related anxiety. A few drops from a tincture could benefit someone looking for that extra boost of focus. Dosing all depends on your end goal. If you’re using hemp for medical reasons, hemp coffee isn’t the best method available since achieving an exact measurement is slightly complicated.
