Making CBD tea is straightforward, but there’s one catch: CBD doesn’t dissolve in water. It’s extremely fat-soluble, with almost no water solubility at room temperature, so simply dropping CBD oil into hot water won’t do much for absorption. The key to a good cup of CBD tea is pairing it with a fat source and getting the water temperature right.
Why You Need a Fat Source
CBD is highly lipophilic, meaning it binds to fats rather than water. Without a fat to carry it, CBD tends to sit on the surface of your tea or precipitate out, and your body won’t absorb much of it even if you drink it all. Adding a fat source like whole milk, coconut oil, coconut cream, butter, or MCT oil gives the CBD something to dissolve into, which helps it pass through the lining of your small intestine and actually reach your bloodstream.
This is why many CBD tea recipes call for a latte-style preparation or at least a splash of full-fat milk. Plant milks work too, especially coconut and oat milk, which have higher fat content than almond milk. Even half a teaspoon of coconut oil stirred into your mug makes a meaningful difference.
The Basic Method With CBD Oil or Tincture
This is the simplest approach and works with any tea you already enjoy.
- Heat your water to around 200°F (93°C). That’s just below a rolling boil. Boiling water can break down some of the beneficial compounds in CBD, so pull the kettle just before it reaches a full boil or let it sit for 30 seconds after boiling.
- Add your tea and CBD oil to the mug. Use your preferred tea, whether it’s a bag, loose leaf, or matcha. Add your chosen dose of CBD oil or tincture directly to the hot water.
- Steep for 5 to 7 minutes. This gives both the tea and the CBD time to infuse properly.
- Stir in a fat source. Add warm milk, a spoonful of coconut oil, or butter. Stir well so the CBD disperses evenly rather than floating on top.
- Sweeten if desired. Honey, maple syrup, or any sweetener you like.
Water-soluble CBD drops are another option. These are processed into tiny particles that mix more easily with water, so they don’t require a fat source as urgently, though adding one still helps absorption.
Making CBD Tea From Hemp Flower
If you’re starting with raw CBD hemp flower instead of a pre-made oil, there’s an extra step. Raw hemp contains CBDA, the inactive precursor to CBD. Your body processes it differently, and you won’t get the same effects unless you convert it to CBD first through a process called decarboxylation, which just means applying low heat over time.
Preheat your oven to 220°F (105°C). Break the flower into small pieces, spread it on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper, and bake for 30 to 40 minutes. The flower should look slightly toasted but not brown or burnt. Once cooled, you can grind it and steep it directly in hot water with a fat source, using a tea infuser or cheesecloth to strain out the plant material. Use about one tablespoon of ground flower per cup.
Steeping hemp flower takes longer than a tea bag. Give it at least 7 to 10 minutes with a fat like coconut oil or butter mixed into the water to pull the CBD out of the plant material.
A CBD Matcha Latte Recipe
Matcha works especially well with CBD because the preparation already involves whisking and warm milk, which helps the CBD distribute evenly.
Heat half a cup of water to 175°F (80°C), which is lower than you’d use for black tea since matcha is more delicate. Place one teaspoon of matcha powder, your CBD oil dose, and a teaspoon or two of honey or maple syrup into a mug. Pour in the hot water and whisk until the matcha is fully dissolved. Heat one cup of your preferred milk (don’t boil it, just get it hot) and pour it into the mug. Stir and drink.
How Much CBD to Use
There’s no single right dose. Therapeutic effects have been observed at doses as low as 2.5 mg, while some people use well over 100 mg daily. If you’re new to CBD, starting with 5 to 10 mg per cup is a reasonable place to begin. Most CBD oils have the milligrams per dropper listed on the bottle, making it easy to measure.
More isn’t necessarily better. There’s evidence that an excessive amount of CBD can actually be less effective than a moderate dose, so increasing gradually and paying attention to how you feel is more useful than jumping to a high dose. The onset from CBD tea is slower than sublingual drops, typically 30 minutes to an hour or more, because it passes through your digestive system before reaching your bloodstream.
Temperature Tips for Better Results
Water temperature matters more than most people realize. The sweet spot is around 200°F (93°C) for black and herbal teas with CBD, and closer to 175°F (80°C) for green tea and matcha. Boiling water (212°F) can degrade some of the terpenes and active compounds in both the CBD and the tea itself, leaving you with a weaker cup.
If you don’t have a thermometer, boil the water and let it sit for 30 to 60 seconds before pouring. That typically drops it into the right range. And stir well after adding your fat source. CBD oil will naturally want to separate from the water, so giving it a good stir before each sip helps.
Interactions With Medications
CBD is processed by the same liver enzyme system that metabolizes a wide range of prescription medications. When CBD occupies those enzymes, it can raise or lower the blood levels of other drugs you’re taking, potentially making them stronger than intended or less effective. This is particularly relevant for medications with a narrow safety margin, including blood thinners, certain heart medications, antidepressants, and antipsychotics. If you take prescription medications, checking with your pharmacist about interactions before adding CBD tea to your routine is a practical step worth taking.