What Color Should CBD Oil Be?

From completely clear to almost black, CBD oil can come in a variety of colors, and can even vary from batch to batch with the same company.

But why is this? And what color should CBD oil be?

The different types of CBD oil have some impact on the final color, and the carrier oil that it is in will play a part as well.

CBD Isolate for example, which is CBD in its purest form, comes as a white, crystalline powder. When it is dissolved in a liquid, it is colorless and virtually tasteless.

Other things such as the method used to extract the CBD, or any added ingredients to the product will alter the color of CBD oil.

Color alone isn't something that you should base your purchase on. Your individual needs will play a part, and whether you are able to use Full Spectrum or need to stick with THC free.

For example, some people are sensitive to coconut oil, and in this case MCT oil would not be an option.

What Color Should CBD Oil Be? The Different Forms Of CBD Oil Explained

CBD comes in a few different forms. From raw when it is first extracted to filtered and distilled, whatever stage it is at will result in a different color.

Raw

This form of CBD is precisely how it sounds. After extraction, you're left with a raw, unheated, unrefined product, that is rich in terpenes, cannabinoids, flavonoids, and any other beneficial parts of the plant.

Applying heat to the product is known as decarboxylation. CBDa (cannabidiolic acid) and THCa (tetrahydrocannabinolic acid) are CBD and THC in their acid forms. Once heat is applied, they undergo a chemical compound change that turns them into CBD and THC.

This step is necessary in order to unlock or activate the compounds within. For example, if you were to eat marijuana that hasn't been decarbed instead of smoking it, you wouldn't feel much effect from it. 

Heating it through smoking or vaping allows the decarboxylation to take place and activate the THC, which in turn is what gets you high.

While CBDa needs to be decarbed, or heated, before it can actually become CBD, there is research showing that CBDa has beneficial properties on its own and when combined with other cannabinoids.

Raw CBD oil will generally be green and very dark, due to none of the plant matter being filtered out of it, like chlorophyll.

Decarbed CBD oil will generally be brown or darker brown in color.

Filtered or Distilled

Filtered and distilled CBD oils go through extensive filtering and processing to remove any chlorophyll, waxes, and other unwanted plant material.

What you're left with after the process is a clear golden oil. If the oil is very light it is an indicator on how much processing it has gone through.

CBD Isolate

This is CBD in its purest form. The plant matter undergoes further processing to remove all aspects of the plant matter, other cannabinoids, terpenes, etc. What you are left with is a white crystalline powder that is 99.9% CBD.

This form of CBD can then be added and dissolved into any carrier of choice, and will take on the color of whatever it is added into.

CBD Isolate and Broad Spectrum oils are recommended to go with if you are drug tested.