Legal cannabidiol (CBD_ has been all the rage these days, thanks to its myriad of medical and health benefits.
A compound extracted from both the marijuana and cannabis sativa (industrial hemp), CBD managed to single-handedly turn people’s opinion about the federally illegal plant, raising a new market sector that is exhibiting tremendous growth with each day and month that passes.
Structurally and functionally different from tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), which bind to the CB1 receptors and provide a psychoactive feeling, CBD does not produce any psychotropic or mind-altering effects. The compound also does not exhibit any addictive properties.
In addition to being rich in antioxidants and omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids, CBD is also a powerful anti-inflammatory agent, exhibiting the ability to relieve soreness and pain from overworked muscles. CBD also possess anti-aging properties, being a carrier oil that helps boost the body’s ability to heal and create new cells.
Due to these various reasons, the compound gained a strong hold in the masses, being the main ingredient to various product lines manufactured by marijuana-focused companies from all throughout the 50 states.
These products vary a lot. From recreational vape pens and gummy candies to CBD oil and supplements that one can use after a hard day’s work. In fact, as CBD is now also being used by wellness companies such as spas and nail salons, adding the wonder compound into their repertoire of services.
CBD in simple, everyday pleasures
The green rush doesn’t stop there, however, as CBD has found its way onto simple pleasures that anyone can easily enjoy. From cafes to ice cream shops, CBD is sneaking into all sorts of menus, bringing all of its many benefits along.
For example, we all know how ice cream is one surefire way to battle a hot day, but did you know that you can now do it while also getting your dose of CBD? Vaniglia, a popular Israeli ice cream chain founded in 2002 is the latest establishment to take advantage of the CBD market.
What’s more, the taste of cannabis is an enigma, meaning that it can be easily infused with a stronger flavor. In fact, according to Vaniglia chef and owner Itay Rogozinsky, “Ask people what cannabis tastes like and no one knows. People don’t eat it. To create a cannabis flavor for ice cream, I realized that I had to learn about the marijuana plant and its different terpenes and aromas.”
Introducing the country’s first cannabis-flavored ice cream back in March this year, Rogozinsky said that he does not like gimmicks, and that his goal is to create an ice cream that tastes like cannabis. Explaining that his establishment’s newest flavor is not a publicity stunt, the Israeli dessert maker explained that through the use of natural ingredients and experimentation, he was able to find that perfect blend.
According to pharmacist Saul Kaye, CBD works great with fatty acids, making cannabis and ice cream a good combination. “I see CBD being added into things like milk [and ice cream] in the future,” Kaye said. “CBD likes fat and oil, and milk is a fatty oily drink that we have every day.”
Another ice cream chain that joined the trend is The Hop, which started serving CBD-infused ice cream a couple of months ago.
In addition to ice cream and frozen desserts, CBD has now also found its way to cocktails and drinks. The Breslin, a bar at the Ace Hotel in New York is one such example, offering CBD brownies and cocktails along with its selection of drinks.
Other NYC destinations have also capitalized on this newest trend, including Bubby’s with its CBD beverage sweeteners, vegan chain By Chloe’s with its CBD-infused desserts, and Chillhouse, which recently launched a menu that includes a CBD ricotta toast and a CBD hibiscus milkshake.
It’s indeed quite exciting to observe which market sector CBD will enter next. Due to the compound being immensely useful and easy to extract, the possibilities are endless, and there’s no telling what CBD product will pop up in stores next, or what CBD-infused service will be offered by establishments soon.
The CBD industry is still young and growing, and it will be interesting to see where it can go from here.
