The different methods of preserving cannabis and CBD
Do you feel that your CBD product is less effective? Feeling less effect after consumption? It's possible that your product has expired and/or has been stored incorrectly. Yes, like many good things, Cannabidiol and its derivatives have a (more or less) limited shelf life. If CBD is stored incorrectly, the quality of the product will suffer and may deteriorate more rapidly.
As you can see, to make your CBD last as long as possible, without risking losing its benefits, it's essential to know the right storage methods.
Stay tuned as we tell you all about keeping your Flowers, hash, oilsfood and candies, herbal teas or even isolates with CBD.
What influences the conservation of CBD?
Like many natural products, CBD will be affected by a number of environmental factors.
A 4-year study by Italian researchers in 2019 analyzed the role of time and storage conditions on the composition of marijuana and therefore cannabis.
The scientists compared several samples of hemp preserved using four different methods:
- At room temperature in the dark;
- Room temperature, light ;
- In a cool, dark place;
- In a dark freezer.
At the end of the study, the researchers found that the THC and CBD content of cannabis products depended significantly on how and for how long they were stored. In fact, samples stored in light at room temperature had lost all their cannabinoids.
However, protecting the samples from light significantly slowed down the disappearance of THC and CBD, especially when stored in a cool place. In fact, all samples stored at room temperature gradually lost all their qualities.
The study notes that only storage at -20° C, i.e. freezing, can prevent a reduction in cannabinoid content over time.
In concrete terms, this study proves that light and heat accelerate the degradation of cannabis and alter its quality.
All hemp -based products should be stored in a cool, dark place. It's important to add that humidity is an important factor in the preservation of your product. In fact, too much humidity can lead to mould and render your CBD unusable. It is essential to store your hemp product in a hermetically sealed box.
Now, let's go into a little more detail and analyze the proper storage methods for hemp-based products.
How to store your Flowers CBD?
CBD flowers are the most natural products to come from the hemp plant. They can be smoked using a dry herbs vaporizer, used in small dishes or consumed as herbal tea. It's the quality of the flowers and their composition that will determine their beneficial effect on our mind and body.
The way you store your Flowers is therefore fundamental to preserving all its benefits and aromas.
Often delivered in plastic or paper packaging, you need to consider a better storage solution, at best as soon as you receive it, or a few days later. Indeed, a flower CBD product that is not stored properly loses its flavour and potential very quickly, and also becomes unreliable and dry.
The 1st condition for keeping your Flowers CBD is to store it in a low-humidity area. In fact, too much humidity will lead to mould and risk destroying your CBD supply very quickly. To compensate for humidity in your storage area, we recommend the use of airtight jars.
Secondly, and still to combat the appearance of mold, we recommend that you avoid places with too high a temperature. Mould fungi thrive and proliferate at temperatures between 25 and 30° C. As soon as you receive your order of Flowers CBD, put it in a place below these temperatures, i.e. between 10 and 20° C. Low temperatures also slow down the decomposition of cannabinoids, so all the effects you're looking for from these products can be preserved.
The ideal way to store your Flowers cannabis is in an airtight box in a cool, dry, dark place.
Properly stored, your Flowers can be kept for at least 6 months before spoiling.
After this date, they will still be edible, but they will no doubt have lost some of their virtues, and will be drier, crumblier and, in short, less tasty.
How to store your hash CBD?
The hash CBD is no exception to good storage conditions to preserve it at its best. To preserve its aroma, texture and benefits for the body, there are a few recommendations to bear in mind.
Air is the main factor in the degradation of hash. It will alter the terpenes responsible for taste and smell, as well as the cannabinoids. You also need to pay close attention to storage temperature and light levels at coin.
Storage of CBD-based hash will depend on how quickly it is consumed. If you consume CBD very regularly, you can store it in a jar and simply keep it in a cupboard, away from light.
For less regular consumers, or those who buy large quantities, we recommend freezing or vacuum-packing hash .
Freezing will preserve all the product's good properties and therefore its benefits. Be careful, however, to place it in a totally airtight container: hash does not like humidity, which can cause mold.
Like flower of CBD, hash does not like excessive heat, and is also sensitive to large temperature changes.
For regular consumers, it's best to store it in a jar, away from light and in a ventilated coin between 15 and 20° C. Alternatively, you can freeze your product in an airtight tin.
How to store your CBD-based oil
Like all oilsCBD-basedoil is a product that will evolve according to the conditions in which it is stored. Unlike wine, it doesn't improve with age, so here are a few tips on how to store oil and make it last.
Beware, the deterioration ofCBD oil is quite difficult to detect: the taste remains relatively similar, as does its appearance. To check if it's expired, you can check the smell: if it's very strong, it's a clear indicator that theCBD oil has expired.
Light will be the major factor in the degradation ofoil, accelerating the deterioration of cannabinoids significantly. As with most oils products, we recommend packaging in a brown, opaque bottle or vial, which will act as a UV and light barrier. It should then be stored in a cupboard or light-free place. The container must be airtight to prevent oxidation.
Heat is also a factor to be avoided. It will cause a reduction in CBD levels and degrade product quality. Storing it in a place where the temperature is between 15 and 20° will ensure good preservation. oil is less sensitive to cold than to heat, and your oil may freeze when the temperature reaches 13°C, or even 15° in some cases. Don't panic, though:oil doesn't have to be thrown away. Simply return it to room temperature and it will regain its liquid appearance.
In concrete terms, for optimal storage of your CBD oil, you need to: pack it in an opaque jar to block light rays, and store it in a cool, dark place. Remember to reseal your bottle or jar after use to prevent oxidation.
A well-preserved oil can be kept in the cupboard for over a year!
The right way to store your CBD food and candy
Preserving your CBD edibles is pretty straightforward and extends shelf life when done correctly.
Whether homemade or store-bought, our hemp treats need to be stored properly, especially if you plan to keep them for some time.
It's no secret that CBD treats and candies have benefits for our bodies and minds. They're great for relaxing when you don't like other ways of consuming CBD, or just for treating yourself to a sweet treat.
As seen above, certain factors will degrade the product's compounds and thus alter its benefits. As with previous products, light, air or heat will be harmful elements. Prolonged exposure to light and high temperatures will affect cannabinoids and terpenes. The product will then have less effect, taste and smell. Also, high temperatures will alter the texture of your food and candy. If they are stored in the open air, beware of bacteria that can develop, in a similar way to traditional edibles and sweets.
As with any cake or treat, we recommend storing your CBD edibles in a cool, dark indoor environment. For example, a cupboard or closet in your kitchen (if not too hot) seems to be the ideal place.
If you have too much, freezing the product is an option, as it preserves the product's cannabinoids.
With proper storage, you can keep your CBD-based sweets and foods for a long time, between 6 months and 1 year depending on their composition.
Preserving CBD infusions
Herbal teas and infusions are dry products that can be subject to parasites, humidity and mold. To enjoy your favorite hot beverages for a long time, it's essential to know how to store them properly.
Air and humidity are the number 1 enemies of your CBD herbal teas. Whether loose or in bags, too much exposure will cause the leaves to lose their flavor and spoil. In the open air, infusions will absorb the smells of their surroundings.
Infusions and herbal teas are also sensitive to temperature: heat will cause a loss of aroma and dry out the leaves.
Light also alters the product, making it drier and less tasty when tasted.
To keep your CBD hot drinks fresh, it's important to store them in the right place.
Bulk herbal teas are best stored in airtight, opaque cans or jars, such as a metal tin. These containers should then be stored at room temperature in a cupboard at coin .
If you have several types of infusion in sachet, it's best not to store them in the same box, as the odors could mix and alter the flavors. It's also best to store them in an airtight box, away from light.
As for shelf life, you can easily keep your herbal teas and infusions for 6 months to 1 year.
Good to know: A tea bag of CBD already placed in hot water can be kept in a glass or metal Thermos flask for up to 24 hours. It can be placed in the refrigerator to keep a little longer.
Method of storing CBD isolate
Recognized as the purest form of CBD, crystals or isolate is 90% CBD, making it ideal for consuming this single cannabinoid. It can be consumed on its own, mixed withoil or used in culinary preparations to "spice up" your meal!
In powder or crystal form, this type of product has a long shelf-life, around two years under the right storage conditions. In fact, pure CBD does not expire, but it can largely deteriorate and its effectiveness will diminish over time.
The golden rule for good preservation is to keep it in a dark place, with little change in temperature. It should be sealed in a metal bottle or jar, for example, to avoid UV and other light rays. CBD isolate doesn't like temperatures that are too hot or too cold either, so it's best to keep it between 15 and 20°C.
If you're not sure whether your product has kept well, start by smelling it. If it smells strong and/or unpleasant, it may no longer be good. If you notice a change in texture, pay attention too.
To conclude on the best ways to store cannabis and CBD
Proper storage of your CBD products, and in particular of its cannabinoids and terpenes, is crucial to ensure that the product lasts over time.
Although LeGrossisteDuCBD is committed to providing premium-quality products, it's important to know that, most of the time, opening a product means the beginning of its deterioration. It is then the method of preservation that will best preserve the product and its virtues.
All CBD-based products are subject to the same environmental factors. They need to be protected from light, too high or sometimes too low a temperature, humidity and air.
Overall, to preserve the benefits of your product, our expert advice is to store your products in closed containers, in a dry, dark and temperate place.
If you have any further questions about proper storage methods or the shelf life of a product from hemp, please don't hesitate to contact us. Our team will be delighted to answer your questions and advise you on how to preserve your products.