If you are a regular buyer of CBD oil — also known as hemp oil — you know that the color can differ from one brand to another, or even sometimes within the same brand. While the color of CBD oil doesn’t tell you everything you need to know about the product, it does provide some useful information.
There are several types of CBD oils, all of which are different in color. Pure crystalline CBD isolate is white and powdery and therefore has no color at all when dissolved into a carrier oil. Oftentimes, the color of CBD oil is determined by the carrier oil it is mixed with. Other factors include the process of extraction and whether any additional ingredients were used to make the final product.
What are the different types of CBD oil?
Many people may assume that all CBD oil products are created equally. However, there are different types of CBD oil products, including broad spectrum CBD and isolate CBD.
Broad spectrum CBD is meant to contain as much of the original plant matter as possible. Full spectrum CBD products still contain cannabinoids, terpenes, herbal flavonoids, and even trace amounts of THC — although broad spectrum products offer the benefits of CBD without THC.
Isolate CBD is filtered to contain CBD only. It won’t have a herbal flavor profile of CBD spectrum products, and it will take on many characteristics of the carrier oil.
Should CBD oil be clear?
Some isolates may be clear, depending on the carrier oil used. However, full-spectrum extract can range from golden to dark green to brown because it not only contains CBD but also includes other cannabinoids (minus THC), terpenes, and plant material. At CBD ReThink, we recommend broad spectrum CBD oil that contains all of the essential oils, fatty acids, and amino acids that would normally be stripped away in isolate products. We proudly offer the highest quality broad spectrum CBD available.
What does CBD oil look like?
CBD hemp oil typically comes in a liquid tincture and is designed to be ingested orally. CBD extract must be mixed with a food-grade carrier oil, such as MCT or coconut oil because CBD is fat-soluble. Our products use hemp seed oil as a carrier oil because it has a natural, earthy flavor.
Here are a few factors that affect CBD oil color:
Type of product: From pure crystalline CBD isolate to full-spectrum extract, CBD oil can range from clear to dark brown.
Carrier oil used: The type and color of CBD oil used can impact its final color. For example, olive oil and hemp seed oil are usually golden or greenish. Coconut or MCT oil, by contrast, is nearly colorless.
Extraction process and method: The two most common CBD extraction methods are ethanol extraction and CO2 extraction. Ethanol will often also extract things like chlorophyll, which will give the final product a green hue.
Other additional ingredients: Natural or artificial flavors can influence the CBD oil color. For example, a chocolate mint-flavored full spectrum oil can be nearly black.
What does it mean when my CBD oil is green?
Some CBD oil products will be green. This striking color is due to the chlorophyll in plant matter. Generally, green CBD oils will contain phytocomplex, which means much of the original plant matter is part of the final product. In some cases, a green color in your CBD oil may denote that it’s a full spectrum oil, meaning that the product still contains the plant’s original cannabinoids, terpenes, flavonoids, and trace levels of THC.
However, the green color is not an automatic indicator that the hemp oil is full spectrum. Some companies may add chlorophyll and additional ingredients to their isolate CBD formulas.
What does it mean when my CBD oil is gold?
Isolate CBD and hemp seed oil tend to have a gold appearance. In isolate CBD products, the cannabinoids have been extracted from the plant matter and added to a carrier oil. Occasionally, full spectrum CBD oils can be gold in color. In these cases, the manufacturer has filtered the plant matter to contain as little phytocomplex as possible. The best way to identify the CBD product you are using is to look at the label. The color of a CBD product alone cannot tell you everything you need to know about it.
Does the color of CBD oil affect its quality?
The color of CBD oil does not necessarily affect the quality of the product, but it can be an indicator. If a product states that it was a full spectrum phytocomplex, it should indeed contain a certain amount of plant matter. However, if this CBD oil is completely clear in appearance, it would be unlikely to be true.
Extraction technique also plays a role in the color of CBD oil, and in turn, its quality. If the extraction is not performed correctly from batch to batch, the consistency and reproducibility of that extract will differ, impacting the color.
A buyer’s guide to high-quality CBD oil
Whether buying CBD oil online or in person, always make sure the ingredients are clearly stated. To be legal in the United States. CBD must contain less than .3% THC. Also, make sure that the product has been tested by an independent, accredited third-party testing facility. Never buy CBD from a provider without those reports. CBD products aren’t currently regulated by the FDA, so it’s important to do your own research before buying CBD products.
The bottom line
CBD oil drops can range from clear to golden to nearly black, and all are normal. The color of the CBD product is determined by several factors, such as the type of extract, the method used, the carrier oil, and even other added ingredients. The color can range from batch to batch, even within the same brand. If you notice significant differences, or other considerable changes in smell, taste, or texture, we’d recommend contacting the company directly to see if anything has changed with their products. Don’t consume CBD oil if you’re unsure about the color, and be sure to read the label and check third-party lab reports so that you’re familiar with your CBD product.
Shop CBD Products Today
For more information about CBD oil or any other items in our full-lineup of products, including CBD gel caps for sale and CBD cream online, reach out to the knowledgeable team at CBD ReThink today!
