my cart
Secure checkout
We’re not taking CBD oil for its taste, but the flavor really isn’t something you can look forward to. If you’ve ever tried it straight under the tongue and immediately regretted your life choices, you’re in the right place.
Plenty of people are wondering why CBD oil tastes bad, and more importantly, how to make it less yucky.
So, what does CBD oil taste like exactly?
That depends on the kind you’re using, but in most cases, it tastes earthy and bitter. Full-spectrum CBD oil especially tends to carry a strong flavor profile that reminds people of raw plants or green vegetables. It's not necessarily gross, but it’s definitely not subtle either.
If it lingers in your mouth, you’ll probably start noticing a slightly metallic aftertaste. And for some people, that’s the dealbreaker. But don’t worry, there are easy ways to fix it.
The reason CBD oil tastes bad usually comes down to the ingredients, and we’re not just talking about the CBD itself. Most oils are made with hemp extract and a carrier oil like MCT, olive, or hemp seed oil. Hemp extract is naturally earthy and slightly bitter, and depending on how it’s processed, that flavor can be pretty strong.
If you’re using a full-spectrum or broad-spectrum CBD oil, there’s even more going on. These include other cannabinoids, flavonoids, and terpenes, compounds that enhance the effects but also add to the flavor. Terpenes like myrcene and caryophyllene bring peppery or musky notes, while chlorophyll from the raw plant matter can leave a sharp, almost metallic aftertaste.
Some CBD oils are better filtered or use flavor-masking additives, but if yours is unflavored or more “natural,” it’s probably just how the plant tastes. That’s just the price of keeping things clean and potent.
You’re not doing it for the flavor.
The reason you hold CBD oil under your tongue (called sublingual use) is because it gets absorbed faster. There are tiny capillaries under the tongue that let the cannabinoids enter your bloodstream directly, so you feel the effects quicker than if you just swallowed it.
Swallowing it straight away means it has to go through your digestive system and liver first, which takes longer and can reduce how much your body actually uses.
If you’re still cringing after every drop, give these tried-and-true tips a shot that can help make CBD oil taste better without compromising how it works.
This is the easiest first step. Many brands offer flavored versions of their CBD oil, often infused with essential oils or natural flavoring like mint, citrus, or vanilla. While it won’t make CBD oil taste like dessert, it definitely tones down the earthy bitterness. Just make sure the flavoring is natural and the oil itself is still high quality, no one wants fake additives just to cover up poor extraction.
After sublingual application, try chasing down the oil with a snack. Fatty foods will work better than sweets, though. CBD is fat-soluble, which means it binds better with fats and may absorb more efficiently when taken with them. Try a spoon of peanut butter, a piece of cheese, or a handful of nuts. Plus, sweet flavors can clash with the bitterness and make it worse.
If you’ve ever taken a shot of tequila, you know what a lime can do. And it applies here, too. After holding the oil under your tongue for 30-60 seconds, quickly bite into a fresh slice of citrus. The acidity instantly cuts the bitterness, and the sharp citrus flavor resets your taste buds.
If you already have unflavored CBD oil and can’t stand the taste, you can buy empty gelatin or vegetarian capsules and fill them yourself. It’s a bit of effort, but you avoid the flavor completely, and you still get to use your current product. Just remember that since the oil goes through your digestive system, the effects take longer to kick in compared to sublingual use.
If you don’t have the time or patience for mixing things, just swap your CBD oil for CBD gummies. They’re pre-dosed and taste great. You’ll sacrifice a bit of bioavailability since they go through digestion, but for a lot of people, that’s a fair trade.
CBD isolate is the purest form of CBD, stripped of all other cannabinoids, terpenes, and plant compounds. That means no grassy flavor. That said, you do lose the entourage effect you get with full-spectrum CBD, which includes more natural compounds that may enhance benefits. But if flavor is your main obstacle, isolate can be a clean alternative that gets the job done.
If the CBD oil taste has been ruining the experience for you, you’ve plenty of options. You don’t have to suffer through bitterness just to feel the benefits. A few simple tweaks will make all the difference. Just remember, if your CBD oil tastes bad, change how you take it, not whether you take it.
