How to Prepare Cannabis Tea?

If you enjoy the calming experience of drinking tea and the euphoric effects of cannabis, making cannabis tea at home can be a great way to enjoy both at once. Whether you want to unwind after a long day or simply relax and enjoy a soothing drink with friends, cannabis tea offers a flavorful and enjoyable experience. 

So, if you’re interested in preparing cannabis tea, this guide will walk you through the ingredients and equipment needed to make cannabis tea, recommended cannabis dosage tips, the step-by-step preparation process, ways to make your tea more potent, an iced cannabis tea recipe, and proper storage methods.

Ingredients and Equipment You’ll Need to Make Cannabis Tea

Before preparing cannabis tea, make sure you have all the ingredients and equipment ready. These ingredients are typically for 2 servings. If you want to prepare a larger quantity, you can adjust the ingredient amounts proportionately.

Ingredients:    

• 1 gram of cannabis flower  
• 4 cups of water (950 ml) 
• 1 tablespoon of butter/milk/oil (15 ml) 
• 2 to 3 teaspoons of loose tea leaf or 1 tea bag 
• Sugar, honey, milk, or anything you prefer for flavor or taste (optional)

Equipment:

• Saucepan 
• Mug 
• Strainer, or cheesecloth 

For the best experience, it’s important to use fresh, high-quality cannabis flower. If you’re looking for premium cannabis flower for your tea, feel free to explore our online menu or visit our store in Grand Rapids, MI.

How Much Cannabis Should You Use for Tea?

Generally, 1 gram of cannabis flower is enough to prepare about 2 servings of cannabis tea. However, the potency of the tea will largely depend on the cannabis strain you use, since different strains contain different levels of THC. 

For example, if your cannabis flower contains 10% THC, it may contain around 100 mg of THC per gram before the infusion process. Some strains may contain much higher THC levels, while others are milder. 

Because of this, it’s important to be mindful of dosage when preparing cannabis tea, especially if you’re a beginner or if it’s your first time making cannabis tea.

Step-by-Step Process to Prepare Your Own Cannabis Tea

While making cannabis tea is quite easy and simple, you will need to follow the right steps to achieve better potency, flavor, and taste, starting from decarboxylating the flower to simmering the mixture correctly. Here’s a step-by-step guide to preparing your own cannabis tea.

Decarboxylate the Cannabis Flower

Before preparing cannabis tea, it’s important to decarboxylate the cannabis flower first. Decarboxylation is the process of heating cannabis to activate THC, which is responsible for the psychoactive effects of cannabis. Without decarboxylation, the cannabis tea may have very mild or limited effects, as the THC remains mostly inactive in raw cannabis.

Here’s how to decarboxylate or decarb cannabis flower properly:

• Preheat your oven to around 220°F to 240°F (104°C to 115°C). 
• Trim or grind the cannabis flower into smaller pieces. Avoid grinding it too finely, as this can make straining more difficult later. 
• Spread the cannabis evenly on a baking tray lined with parchment paper or aluminum foil. 
• Place the tray in the oven and bake the cannabis for about 30 to 40 minutes. 
• Gently stir or shake the cannabis every 10 minutes to ensure even heating. 
• Once the cannabis turns slightly golden brown and dry, remove it from the oven. 
• Allow the decarboxylated cannabis to cool for a few minutes before using it to prepare the tea.

Boil the Decarbed Buds with Milk, Butter, or Coconut Oil

Once the cannabis flower has been decarboxylated, the next step is to infuse it into water with a fat-based ingredient like milk, butter, or coconut oil. Since THC is fat-soluble, adding one of these ingredients helps bind and absorb the cannabinoids more effectively, which can improve the potency of your cannabis tea.

Here’s how to do it properly:

• Pour 4 cups of water into a saucepan and place it on the stove over medium heat. 
• Add 1 tablespoon of butter, milk, or coconut oil to the water and allow it to melt or mix properly. 
• Once the mixture begins to heat up, add the decarboxylated cannabis flower into the saucepan. 
• Stir the mixture gently to help the cannabis infuse evenly into the liquid. 
• Allow the mixture to reach a light boil before reducing the heat slightly. 
• Avoid using excessively high heat, as overheating may affect the flavor and potency of the cannabis. 
• Continue stirring occasionally while preparing for the next simmering step.

If you already have cannabutter or cannabis oil at home, you can skip the decarboxylation process. Simply, add the cannabutter or cannabis oil directly into the saucepan and boil the mixture to infuse it into the tea.

Put a Tea Bag or Loose Tea into the Boiling Water

After the cannabis mixture begins to lightly boil, the next step is to add your preferred tea to enhance the flavor and aroma of the mixture. You can use either a tea bag or loose tea leaves, depending on your preference. 

Start by adding 2 to 3 teaspoons of loose tea leaves or place 1 tea bag directly into the saucepan, then gently stir the mixture to help the tea blend evenly with the cannabis-infused liquid.

Simmer the Mixture on Low Heat for about 7 to 10 Minutes   

After adding the tea, allow the mixture to simmer on low heat for about 7 to 10 minutes. Simmering helps the cannabis, tea, and fat-based ingredients blend together more effectively, which can improve both the flavor and potency of the cannabis tea. 

Keep the stove on low heat, ideally around 160°F to 180°F, and stir the mixture occasionally to prevent the ingredients from sticking to the saucepan. Avoid letting the mixture boil aggressively during this step, as excessive heat may affect the flavor and overall quality of the tea. 

As the mixture simmers, the aroma of the tea and cannabis will gradually become more noticeable. Once the simmering process is complete, you can move on to straining the mixture into a mug.

Strain the Mixture into a Mug

Once the simmering process is complete, remove the saucepan from the stove and allow the mixture to cool slightly for a minute or two. Straining the mixture is necessary to remove the cannabis flower particles and loose tea leaves, giving your cannabis tea a smoother texture and more enjoyable drinking experience. 

Place a strainer or cheesecloth over a mug and carefully pour the mixture through it. This will help separate the liquid from the remaining cannabis and tea residue. If you are using a cheesecloth, gently squeeze it to extract any remaining liquid without forcing too much plant material into the tea. After straining, your cannabis tea is ready for the final step, where you can customize the flavor with additional ingredients like sugar, honey, or milk.

Add Milk, Sugar, Honey, or Any Other Ingredient You’d Like

After straining the cannabis tea into a mug, you can customize the flavor based on your personal preference. If you like the natural taste of plain tea, you can drink it as it is, but if you want to improve the flavor and sweetness, you can add ingredients like sugar, honey, milk, cream, cinnamon, lemon, ginger, or anything else you prefer. 

If the cannabis tea tastes slightly earthy or strong, adding a small amount of milk, cream, or honey can help balance the flavor and make the tea smoother to drink. Stir the ingredients thoroughly until they blend evenly into the tea. Once everything is mixed properly, your cannabis tea is ready to serve and enjoy.

How to Make Your Cannabis Tea More Potent?   

If you want to make your cannabis tea more potent, you can mix a small amount of concentrates like kief or RSO (Rick Simpson Oil). You can also add a small amount of cannabis tincture to your tea. 

Since these products are already infused with cannabis, you can even prepare regular tea like you usually do and then mix in a small amount of kief, RSO, or tincture to turn it into cannabis tea. 

However, because concentrates and infused cannabis products can be very strong, it’s important to start with a very small amount, especially if you are a beginner or have a low THC tolerance. 

Ideally, if it’s your first time making cannabis tea, you should stick to the traditional method instead of experimenting with concentrates or tinctures that may contain THC levels as high as 60% to 90% or more.

Alternative Recipe to Make Iced Cannabis Tea

If you prefer iced tea during hot summer days, you can also prepare iced cannabis tea for a more refreshing experience. The initial preparation process is mostly the same, since you still need heat to properly infuse the cannabis into the tea mixture. Once the infusion process is complete, you can turn the tea into either a hot or iced beverage. 

Here’s how to make iced cannabis tea. 

• Prepare the cannabis tea using the same process explained above. 
• Allow the tea mixture to cool down to room temperature. 
• Fill a glass or pitcher with ice cubes. 
• Pour the cannabis tea over the ice. 
• Add sugar, honey, lemon, mint, or any other ingredient you prefer for flavor. 
• Stir the mixture properly until everything blends evenly. 
• Refrigerate the iced cannabis tea for a colder and more refreshing drink if needed. 
• Serve and enjoy responsibly.

How Long Does It Take for Cannabis Tea to Take Effect?

According to Weedmaps, it can take around 30 to 90 minutes to experience the effects after drinking a cup of cannabis tea. However, the effects may last anywhere from 4 to 12 hours, while lingering effects can remain for up to 24 hours or more depending on the amount consumed, your THC tolerance, and the cannabis strain used. 

In comparison, smoking or vaping cannabis may produce effects almost instantly within a few minutes, but the effects usually last for a shorter period of around 1 to 3 hours. So, if you prefer longer-lasting effects while enjoying tea, cannabis tea can be a great option.

Can You Use Weed Stems or Seeds Instead?

If you grow your own cannabis plant at home, you can also use weed stems or any leftover cannabis seeds to prepare cannabis tea. While stems and seeds usually contain much lower amounts of THC compared to cannabis flower, they can still be used to make a mild cannabis-infused tea instead of throwing them away. 

However, since stems and seeds are generally less potent, the effects of the tea may be noticeably weaker. Weed stems may still contain small amounts of cannabinoids and trichomes, while cannabis seeds are more commonly used for their nutritional value rather than strong psychoactive effects. 

Just like cannabis flower, it’s still recommended to lightly decarboxylate the stems before adding them to the tea mixture. You can then follow the same preparation process explained above. If you want slightly stronger effects, you can combine the weed stems with a small amount of cannabis flower instead of using stems or seeds alone.

How to Store Cannabis Tea?

There are two types of situations when you may need to store cannabis tea. Either as a prepared liquid beverage or as a dry blend containing cannabis flower and tea leaves.  Let’s look at how you can properly store cannabis tea in both forms.

Storing Liquid Cannabis Tea

If you have leftover cannabis tea after preparing it, you can store it in the refrigerator for later use. Before storing, allow the tea to cool down to room temperature, then pour it into an airtight bottle, jar, or sealed container to help preserve its freshness and flavor. 

Generally, liquid cannabis tea can stay fresh in the refrigerator for about 3 to 5 days, depending on the ingredients used. If the tea contains milk, cream, or other dairy products, it’s usually best to consume it sooner to avoid spoilage. 

Before drinking stored cannabis tea, gently shake or stir the mixture, as some of the infused oils or ingredients may naturally separate over time. If you want to reheat the tea, warm it slowly on low heat. If it’s iced cannabis tea, you drink it instantly by taking it out of the refrigerator.

Storing Dry Cannabis Tea Blends

If you have dry cannabis tea ingredients like flower and tea leaves, it’s essential to properly store them to prevent degradation or spoilage. Proper storage can help maintain the freshness, aroma, flavor, and potency of both the cannabis flower and the tea leaves for a longer period. 

To store dry cannabis tea ingredients properly, place them in an airtight container or sealed glass jar to minimize exposure to air and moisture. It’s best to keep the container in a cool, dark, and dry place away from direct sunlight, humidity, or excessive heat, as these conditions may gradually affect the quality and potency of the cannabis. 

Additionally, avoid storing the ingredients near strongly scented products or spices, since dry tea leaves and cannabis flower can absorb surrounding odors over time. Before using the stored ingredients again, quickly inspect them for any unusual smell, mold, or excessive dryness. 

When stored properly, dry cannabis tea ingredients can usually stay fresh for about 2 to 6 months, depending on the storage conditions and the freshness of the ingredients used.

The Bottom Line: Make Sure to Drink Responsibly

If you make cannabis tea at home, it’s important to consume it responsibly. Since the cannabinoids are absorbed through the digestive system, the effects of cannabis tea may feel more intense and last much longer compared to smoking or vaping cannabis. 

If you’re a beginner or have a low THC tolerance, it’s usually best to start with a small serving and wait for the effects before consuming more. Drinking too much cannabis tea within a short period may lead to stronger effects than expected, especially because the high can take some time to fully kick in. 

Overall, cannabis tea can be a relaxing and enjoyable way to experience cannabis while enjoying the soothing flavor of tea. Whether you prefer it hot or iced, following the proper preparation, dosage, and storage methods can help you have a better and safer experience.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

How long do you boil cannabis tea?

Cannabis tea should only be lightly boiled before lowering the heat. After that, it’s best to simmer the tea on low heat at around 180°F for about 7 to 15 minutes to properly infuse the cannabis into the mixture without overheating it.

Does cannabis tea feel the same as an edible?

Yes, cannabis tea can feel similar to an edible because the cannabinoids are absorbed through the digestive system. The effects may take longer to kick in compared to smoking or vaping, but they can also feel stronger and last much longer.

Does cannabis tea from just boiled cannabis work?

Cannabis tea made from simply boiling raw cannabis in water may produce very weak effects because THC does not dissolve properly in water. For stronger effects, it’s important to decarboxylate the cannabis first and use a fat-based ingredient like milk, butter, or coconut oil during the infusion process.

Can you make cannabis tea without decarboxylation?

Yes, you can make cannabis tea without decarboxylation, but the effects may be very weak. Decarboxylation helps activate THC in the cannabis flower, which is necessary for producing stronger psychoactive effects. If you skip this process, the cannabis tea may not deliver the desired potency.

Is cannabis tea stronger than smoking?

Cannabis tea may feel stronger and longer-lasting than smoking for some people because the cannabinoids are absorbed through the digestive system. While smoking cannabis produces faster effects within a few minutes, cannabis tea usually takes longer to kick in but may produce more intense effects that can last several hours.