By Noah Chen
When one buys CBD oil at the store, the product can seem like a far cry from the rows of hemp plants sunning themselves in the ground. How does hemp go from a plant in the soil to a vial of crude CBD oil?
Crude CBD oil begins with a plant
For optimal CBD production, hemp plants high in the desired cannabinoid are of course optimal. Hemp grown specifically for oil will have higher CBD levels than those grown for biomass or industrial uses, so make sure you start with the finest hemp strains you can find.
Once harvested, you trim and dry the flower. This is an important process that heightens the CBD available in the plant. After going through the drying process, the hemp is ready for the desired oil to get extracted. This first pass yields crude oil, which can then undergo further refining.
CBD Crude
The initial oil extracted from your harvested hemp, CBD crude oil is generally a very dark brown. It may even appear black in color, it’s so dark. This is because the oil still contains the full makeup of the hemp plant. That means there can be over 80 different phytocannabinoids present. It includes the key cannabinoids like CBD, CBG, CBN, and CBC, but also a variety of other minerals and phytochemical compounds, including:
- Amino acids
- Iron
- Zinc
- Calcium
- Potassium
- Vitamins B1, B2, B6, and D
- Omega 3 & 6 fatty acids
- Flavonoids
- Terpenes
- And more
Think of crude CBD oil’s makeup as being as close to an actual hemp plant, growing in the ground, as possible. It’s loaded up, and while that may be necessary for some products, further refinement is necessary to make something more pure.
Further refinement and processing of CBD Crude
Knowing how to process crude CBD oil means understanding what needs to happen after the initial extraction takes place. Most manufacturers want a product with fewer compounds from the hemp plant, especially when it comes to the primary cannabinoids.
Once you have CBD crude oil to work with, the next step is to freeze it in a process called winterization. This separates the lipids and waxes from the oil. The crude oil is then decarboxylated, or heated gently. This activates the cannabinoids, making the CBD oil effective when consumed.
Short path distillation can then take place. This further refines the CBD extract, helping to isolate the CBD. Again, the extract gets heated so that each compound separates out since they all have a different boiling point. Not only do you get purer CBD, but each product that boils out is now isolated and able to use on its own.
Partner with an expert at CBD processing
Processing crude CBD oil from hemp, and refining it into a finished product can be a complex process; that’s why processors like Arbor Vita8 are available to assist you every step of the way. From transporting harvested biomass, to drying, processing, and extracting. At Arbor Vita8, our high-end facility and superior equipment always give you the best extracts. Contact us today to learn more.
