A common dilemma always pops up when people make their own infusions: what to do with all of that leftover cannabis pulp, also known as sludge. Many people throw it away, thinking it’s useless, but that leftover pulp is still full of nutritional goodies. Used cannabis pulp also has a low concentration of cannabinoids and terpenes. If you have access to an at-home cannabis potency tester, you can find out the exact amount. The results might surprise you! So, hold on to your sludge while we examine a few ways you can reuse the leftover cannabis pulp from your infusions.
Reclaiming the Remaining Cannabinoids
It’s possible to reclaim quite a lot of cannabinoids from leftover cannabutter and oil infusions. Even if you’ve strained your mixture thoroughly, you’ll still find plenty of infused oil or butter coating the sludge. You can extract the remainder by soaking the used pulp in hot water. After the mixture cools, the oil and water will separate. Just discard the water and use the rest in your favorite recipes.
#1: Make Cannabis Pulp Tea
#2: Spread Cannabis Pulp On Toast
What could be easier than slathering a piece of toast with a tablespoon of leftover cannabis pulp? If you want to get fancy, you can make a spread by adding a few tablespoons to butter, cream cheese, or avocado.
#3: Cannabis Pulp Salad Dressing
Another simple and tasty way to reuse leftover cannabis pulp is to add one or two tablespoons to your favorite salad dressing. This method is particularly useful for vinaigrette recipes. The vinegar will help pull out the remaining cannabinoids.
#4: Enhance Your Pesto or Tomato Sauce with Cannabis Pulp
Why not boost the nutritional value of your Italian pasta sauces with a few tablespoons of cannabis pulp? You can crush your leftover pulp right along with traditional ingredients in a mortar and pestle for a delicious and fiber-rich pesto. Alternatively, mix some pulp into your finished marinara or bolognese sauce. Just remember to grind the pulp first in a coffee grinder or mortar and pestle to avoid unappetizing clumps.
#5: Supercharge Your Green Juice or Smoothie with Cannabis Pulp
#6: Spice Up Dips and Salsas with Cannabis Pulp
Leftover material from infusing butter or cooking oils is a fabulous addition to dips and salsas. You can start by substituting cannabis pulp for some of the cilantro in your pica de gallo or guacamole recipes. Que rico!#7: Boost the Fiber in Baked Goods with Cannabis Pulp
Extra dietary fiber is healthy for the colon and helps lower cholesterol and stabilize blood sugar. Adding additional fiber to whole grain bread, brownies, or cookies is a snap with leftover cannabis pulp.#8: Facial Mask from Cannabis Pulp
Don’t waste that expensive coconut or olive oil in your leftover sludge. Give yourself a moisturizing and nutrient-rich spa treatment with a touch of cannabis pulp. You can add some of your favorite herbal ingredients for a custom mask. You may want to try a pinch of turmeric, smashed avocado, and a few drops of your favorite essential oil.#9: Handmade Paper from Cannabis Pulp
If you happen to be the crafty type, you’ll love the results you get when you add leftover cannabis pulp to your handmade paper recipes. Leftover pulp from alcohol infusions is best for this purpose.#10: Plant Food from Cannabis Pulp
If you decide to throw away your cannabis pulp, put it in the compost. However, composting works better for vegetable oil infusions. Leftover pulp from cannabutter may attract animals. Never throw your leftover pulp in the garbage disposal, or it may clog, leaving you with a costly repair.How to Store Cannabis Pulp
If you’re planning to reuse your leftover cannabis pulp, you’ll need to make sure you store it properly. Sludge from cannabutter or oil-infusions will stay fresh in the refrigerator for up to one week. You’ll have to keep your pulp in the freezer if you won’t be using it right away, but you can safely freeze your infusion leftovers for months. It’s handy to split large batches into smaller containers so you can use them as needed. Although it may seem tempting, never thaw cannabis pulp in the microwave or you’ll destroy the remaining cannabinoids and terpenes.
You can dry the extras from alcohol infusions by spreading them on a cookie sheet and allowing the alcohol to evaporate. After the used buds dry, you can store them in an airtight container in a dark, cool cupboard or drawer. Dried cannabis pulp works well for filling capsules, placing in tea balls, and adding to your coffee or smoothies.
How Much Cannabis Pulp to Use
Even though many people would suggest throwing used pulp in the garbage, you may be surprised at how many cannabinoids you’ll find. It’s almost impossible to know the strength of leftover cannabis pulp. Fortunately, you can use tCheck's at home cannabis potency tester to measure the level of cannabinoids in your pulp.
In any case, always remember the cardinal rule of edibles: Start low and go slow. If you would like more helpful information about making infusions, stay tuned to our blog.
