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5 min read
Sarah Sinclair
Unlike most conventional medications, cannabis has a distinct taste which can take a bit of getting used to, especially if you’re new to it. In this article we explore how the flavour profiles vary depending on the cultivar and consumption method—and how to make it more palatable.
The taste of medical cannabis can vary based on the strain and growing conditions. How it’s administered, for example whether it’s consumed as an oil or vaporised, can also affect how it tastes. The taste of cannabis is often described as ‘bitter’ which can be off-putting for some people, especially if you are new to it.
The exact flavour profile depends on which terpenes are more prevalent in that particular product. Terpenes are naturally occurring compounds found in plants which are responsible for their unique aroma and taste.
Some of the flavour profiles often found in cannabis include:
Earthy and herbal: One of the most common flavours in cannabis is an earthy, natural taste, while some strains also carry herbal undertones, similar to cooking herbs like thyme or rosemary. These flavours come from terpenes such as myrcene and humulene.
Pine: Cultivars high in pinene will offer a pine-like taste, sometimes mixed with hints of cedar or sandalwood, reminiscent of walking through a thick pine forest.
Citrus: Zesty flavours of lemons, oranges, or other citrus fruits are also common, especially in strains high in certain terpenes like limonene.
Sweet: Some strains feature sweet, candy-like tastes, similar to berries, tropical fruits, or vanilla.
Spicy: Certain cultivars can have peppery, spicy flavours. Terpenes like caryophyllene contribute to these bold, warming flavours, which can sometimes remind you of black pepper, cinnamon, or cloves.
Skunky or musky: Some cultivars have a strong, distinct smell and taste, which some describe as musky or skunky. This sulphur-like smell is believed to be attributed to a family of volatile sulphur compounds, or VSCs in cannabis. You can read more on this here.
The way medical cannabis is administered also affects how it tastes. While oil can be particularly pungent and bitter, flower-based products, once vaporised, tend to have more subtle flavours. On the other hand, cannabis-infused edibles or pastilles often contain other ingredients to help disguise the distinctive taste.
The taste of medical cannabis oil can be an acquired one. Some people find it very bitter, particularly if it's a full-spectrum product which has retained many of the plant’s natural compounds.
Other ingredients may also affect how an oil tastes, for example, if a product uses a carrier oil such as coconut oil. Terms which are commonly used to describe the taste of cannabis oil include ‘earthy’, ‘herbal’ and ‘nutty’.
The fact that medical cannabis oil is administered under the tongue means getting used to the taste is par for the course, and of course the higher the dose the more intense the flavour, but some patients may prefer to switch to other delivery methods where the flavours are more subtle.
When vaporised, cannabis flower has a very different taste. This method tends to preserve the more subtle flavours of the cultivars. Vaping heats the plant material at a lower temperature than smoking so you get a clearer taste of the terpenes without the combustion, making the fruity, herbal, or piney flavours outlined above more noticeable.
The temperature of the vaporiser can also affect the flavour—lower temperatures highlight the more delicate fruity and floral notes, while higher temperatures bring out richer, earthier, and spicier flavours.
While it can be challenging at first, most people do get used to the taste of medical cannabis once they’ve been taking the treatment for a while. Individual preferences vary, and your experience with the taste of cannabis may change over time as your senses and tolerance adapt.
In the meantime, here’s a few tips you could try to make cannabis taste better:
If you’ve tried these and are still struggling to manage the taste, speak to your Releaf doctor about whether they can prescribe a different product or a different delivery method which may be more suited to you.
It is important to seek medical advice before starting any new treatments. The patient advisors at Releaf are available to provide expert advice and support. Alternatively, click here to book a consultation with one of our specialist doctors.
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Am I eligible?Sarah, a distinguished journalist with over a decade in publishing and communications, now excels in cannabis health and policy journalism in the UK, advocating for informed health decisions through her award-winning work.
Our articles are written by experts and reviewed by medical professionals or compliance specialists. Adhering to stringent sourcing guidelines, we reference peer-reviewed studies and scholarly research. View our editorial policy.
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