Hemp, CBD & THC | Growing Buzz & Flavor Challenges

For many years Cannabidiol (CBD) has been known to have certain health benefits, though its legal use has been fuzzy with laws and their enforcement varying from state to state and country to country. The recent passage of U.S. and Canadian laws (state and Federal) permitting the use of CBD as well as THC (delta-9 tetrahydrocannabinol), has amplified the conversation, confusion and commercial potential of products made with these compounds. Let us first clear up the confusion and then discuss why and how we might all benefit from opportunities these new food ingredients present.

Definition and Sources of CBD & THC

CBD and THC are very different compounds, but both are produced by plants originating from the Cannabis sativa family. The best source of CBD is the Hemp plant, while the best source of THC is the Marijuana plant. The Hemp plant is very hardy and adaptable to various climates and its various parts (seeds, flowers and stems) are used in over 25,000 consumer product applications, most notably healthy dietary supplements, skin products and clothing. The Marijuana plant, on the other hand, has been genetically manipulated over the years to increase THC concentrations and is grown in carefully controlled environs primarily for medical and recreational uses. From a health perspective, the major difference is that CBD is not psychoactive, meaning CBD does not change a person’s state of mind, whereas THC does.

Today’s Commercial Landscape

There is no denying the upward trend of products leveraging the growing public popularity of CBD and THC. Still primarily centered in the western U.S., the rise of foods and beverages using these products has found new momentum with the legalization of cannabis in Canada this past fall, and the recent passage of the U.S. Agriculture Improvement Act of 2018 (the 2018 Farm Bill). Now CBD Oils derived from hemp are no longer part of the 1970 Controlled Substance Act, freeing them up for wider use and distribution. THC, on the other hand, while legal in a growing number of U.S. states and all of Canada as of the fall of 2018, is still federally illegal under the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act and section 351 of the Public Health Service Act. This legal inconsistency gives the U.S. Federal government the ability to prosecute in instances where public safety is a concern, but it also opens the door for greater public/commercial use and eventual legal acceptance nationwide.

Since it appears that food and beverage products containing CDB and THC are part of our future, what do we need to understand about using them and flavoring them effectively in order to safely ride this potentially profitable new wave?

Benefits of CBD and the Growing Acceptance of THC

There are many real and perceived health benefits of CBD oils from Hemp. For instance, hemp seeds which contain CBD oils are not only high in protein (9.46 grams per tablespoon, about the 10th highest of all vegetables), but also one of the few plant-based sources that are a complete source of protein, meaning that they provide all nine essential amino acids. Hemp seeds are also a good source of unsaturated Omega-3 oils, a good source of fiber, and contain a broad range of important minerals and vitamins: Vitamin E, magnesium, phosphorus, potassium, iron, zinc, and B-Vitamins, including niacin, riboflavin, thiamine, B-6 and folate.

Additionally, and here’s where the line between perception and reality is a little fuzzy at present, some studies suggest that CBD is good for brain health, potentially alleviating the conditions of Parkinson’s, Alzheimer's, multiple sclerosis, neuropathic pain and childhood seizure disorders; heart-health, reducing the risk of arrhythmia and heart disease; reducing inflammation; relieving rheumatoid arthritis; and improving skin conditions, like acne. Now that CBD from hemp is no longer a controlled substance, many more studies to determine its benefits are sure to follow – stay tuned.

With regards to THC, like it or not, there is a growing acceptance of it by state authorities in the U.S. and federal authorities in Canada. Canada legalized smokable, weed (not edibles) marijuana, nationwide last fall, 2018. As of this writing, there are 35 U.S, states that have legalized medical marijuana, while 10 states and the District of Columbia have legalized it recreationally, including weed and edibles containing regulated levels of THC. As with the claims of all substances and supplements, claims of effectiveness should be treated with caution. That said, many people, including those in the medical community, claim that THC and marijuana are useful in alleviating chronic (though not severe) pain, experienced by people with multiple sclerosis, nerve pain in general,, fibromyalgia, endometriosis, Crohn’s disease, IBS, and others. It has also been effective in lessening the tremors in those with Parkinson’s and Tourette’s syndrome. As with CBD, with further legalization of THC, research into these areas will intensify and eventually produce more scientifically reliable data.

Flavor Challenges & Solutions

CBD oil and extracts from hemp are known to have a very earthy taste that is often described as piney, nutty, grassy and bitter. Sources of CBD ingredients have big differences in taste depending on their extraction process and manufacturing. Our food science team has noted that flavors like coconut, caramel and chocolate stand up to the earthier taste of CBD. Citrus and fruit flavors also pair well with CBD but often require the use of bitterness masking flavors to keep the flavor system well balanced and prevent the final product from having too much of a “grassy” profile. CBD products are currently a unique addition to food and beverage products and as such, they require several trials of balancing and optimizing.

abelei’s Experience in Flavoring products containing Hemp, CBD & THC

In the recent past abelei has worked on flavoring several products containing CBD compounds. We have found it best for customers to send their approved CBD ingredient to our flavor lab, as the source of the CBD and its use in a base product can make a significant difference in determining the best flavor solution.

With respect to products containing THC, abelei has sent many flavors, mostly to the west coast, for trial and eventual sale.

Today, abelei has a sub-library of many fruit, sweet, dessert-type and masking flavors serving as excellent starting points for flavoring products leveraging these new additives.

To get your project started, call us at 847-924-5855, or click here to complete and submit a digital sample request form for flavors with proven success in this new, growth category.