More hemp enthusiasts are gravitating toward edibles, as this delivery method offers a uniquely tasty way to explore the properties of the plant compounds like CBD, while offering the longest-lasting effects out of any of the methods, staying active in the body for several hours per dose. There are all kinds of edible formulas on the market, made with various ingredients, hemp compounds, and flavoring agents.
Maybe you have noticed that certain edibles have a stronger aftertaste than others. Well, there are reasons and causes for that.
Depends on the Hemp Extract Used
Sometimes, the aftertaste you’re experiencing is actually just the natural taste of hemp. Those who are still pretty new to CBD may not realize that hemp has a fairly strong and complex plant taste with notes of pine, citrus and herbs, and this can create something of an aftertaste.
This is only the case, however, if the edibles are made with broad or full spectrum hemp extract. These two types of extracts contain every compound in hemp, including terpenes which are responsible for the flavor profile of the plant. The difference between the two is that full spectrum hemp contains a trace amount of THC that naturally occurs in hemp. CBD isolate edibles do not taste like the hemp plant, because they lack the terpenes that inform the plant’s flavor.
Depends on the Strain
Also, some strains of hemp have a stronger or more lingering taste than others. With edibles, it can be hard to know which strain was used, since edibles are usually not strain-specific like flower or vaping products. However, some strains can have certain flavor notes that result from their terpenes, which create an aftertaste.
Depends on the Sweetener
In some cases, the aftertaste may come from the sweetener that was used. Artificial sweeteners are known for sometimes causing an aftertaste, as does stevia, a naturally derived sweetener that belongs to the mint family. If you are unsure, check the ingredients to see what kind of sweetener was used. Cane sugar and other naturally derived sweeteners tend to have less of an aftertaste.
Depends on the Flavoring Ingredients
Other flavoring ingredients in the formula can produce an aftertaste, and companies can choose from endless varieties of flavoring ingredients to use. If the lingering aftertaste is an actual flavor rather than sweetness or the taste of hemp, look at the ingredients in the formula in hopes of figuring out which one is the culprit.
Depends on the Age of the Edibles
How long the edibles have been sitting around on the shelf can play a role. Technically, CBD edibles should last for about two years, as this is how long it takes for the hemp itself to degrade. Ones that are made with more natural ingredients, however, can degrade sooner than that, and this can definitely affect the flavor. Basically, the most plant-based your edibles are, the more likely the flavor is to transform over time.
An aftertaste may indicate that one of the ingredients has gone “bad,” and no longer tastes the same as it did when it was fresh. This is why you need to look at the expiration date before making a purchase.
Depends on the Milligram Strength
How much hemp is in the formula can play a role too. Again, this only applies to edibles that are made with full spectrum or broad spectrum hemp, which contain the terpenes that give hemp its taste. The higher the milligram strength, the more terpenes are in each edible piece, and therefore the stronger the plant-like taste of hemp will be with each portion.
Depends on the Quality
Sometimes, an aftertaste indicates a general lack of quality or attention to detail, as the company just did not bother to work harder to make a clean-tasting product, or even used low-quality ingredients that are known for producing an undesirable flavor experience.
CBD Edibles Should Always Taste Delicious
Regardless of an edible’s strength and composition of hemp compounds, if you’re getting a strong aftertaste, it can indicate all kinds of things, ranging from cheap flavoring agents to expired ingredients. It can also just mean that you are consuming particularly potent edibles that give you a strong hemp-like taste with each dose.
Still, if the experience of taking CBD in an edible form is unsatisfactory due to taste, try to find another on the market that is more appealing to your taste buds.