Edible Cannabis Production Kitchen

A new dawn has arrived for the budding edible cannabis industry, which in a few short years has propelled into a true food and beverage category. With a compound annual growth rate of over 25 percent, annual sales in the US for regulated edible cannabis products reached $1.38 billion in 2021, and each year the figure continues to climb.

As more and more consumers decide to dip their tastebuds into the world of cannabis-infused edibles, the potential of cannabis as a functional food ingredient continues to grow considerably. This is evidenced by all of the great edible cannabis products being made today. From chocolates to oils and even siracha, edibles are widely available in almost any form and flavor.

That said, with the growth of the edible marijuana industry forecast to continue at an even more extreme rate as more and more states, and perhaps the federal government, decide to legalize the once prosecutable bud, there is still ample room for anyone looking to make their mark on the edibles market.

To do so, however, you need the right business plan, licenses, marketing strategy, and space to create. You need a fantastic production kitchen design to produce a fantastic product!

We’ll get more into edible cannabis production kitchen design below, but first, let’s go over what exactly edible cannabis is, and the different types available for you to make.

What are Edibles?

Edibles are food or beverage products infused with cannabis extract. While more than 100 cannabinoids are found in cannabis, only two are used in edibles: tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and cannabidiol (CBD). THC is psychoactive, and CBD is not. Currently, around 20 percent of all Americans enjoy state legal access to edible marijuana products with both compounds.

With the continued growth of the legal edibles market, edible marijuana has become a preferred method of cannabis consumption. Unlike smoking, edible cannabis can be consumed discreetly and more conveniently. Edible cannabis also provide a calmer, more relaxing “high” and allow consumers to avoid the damaging toxins and health consequences associated with smoking.

Since edibles are sold for higher prices than flower, they are also very popular with dispensaries and account for upwards of 50 percent of most dispensary profits. With the right products and production kitchen design setup, the opportunity for profit in the edible cannabis market is very, very real.

Baked Goods

Everyone has heard of “pot” brownies, so the fact that baked goods are some of the most popular types of edibles should come as no surprise. When it comes to cannabis-infused baked goods, the industry has grown exponentially in no time at all. Now, depending on state regulations, you can find everything from edible brownies and cookies to muffins and pancakes. There are dozens of other types of cannabis baked goods, so it’s a wide-open space to pursue for your own edibles business.

Chocolate

Whether you love dark, white, mint, or even cookies and cream, there’s likely a cannabis chocolate available to suit your palette. Chocolate cannabis edibles allow chocolate lovers to indulge in a variety of sweet treats while experiencing the mental and physical effects of marijuana.

Hard Candy

Hard candy edibles are created just like traditional candies; they’re simply infused with HC distillate. Since most edible cannabis hard candies are designed to absorb into the tongue, under the tongue, or through the cheek wall, their effects can be experienced faster than with other types of edible marijuana products.

Gummies and Chews

Edible gummies and chews are also extremely popular. They come in all different shapes, sizes, colors, and consistencies, and while they look and taste just like candy, dosage is important in order to avoid any unpleasant side effects.

Savory Snacks

For those lacking a sweet tooth, salty and savory snack edibles are a perfect option. From delicious pizza and cheesy biscuits to potato chips and barbecue sauces, cannabis can be infused into just about kitchen creation.

Beverages and Mixes

Infusing cannabis isn’t just infused in foods. Cannabis-infused drinks and mixes are an increasingly popular option among cannabis consumers. Cannabis can be pleasantly infused into teas, juices, seltzers, and more. It can also be added to drink mixes for those who enjoy making their own drinks at home. Just like with candies, beverages and drink mixes provide a unique experience by allowing the cannabis to be absorbed under the tongue and through the cheek.

Infused Oils

For those who consume cannabis and like to regularly cook at home, cannabis-infused cooking and baking oils are an ideal edibles solution. These oils can be used for everything from sautéing vegetables to baking deserts, and they can even be used for things like salad dressings. Cannabis oil is also pretty easy to make, so it’s a popular option for those making their first foray into the edibles world.

It’s important to note that everything listed above is just the tip of the iceberg when discussing all of the different types of edible marijuana products. With the right tools, equipment, and production kitchen design and setup, cannabis can be infused into any culinary creation, providing budding businesses with limitless possibilities.

Edible Cannabis Production Kitchen Design

In little more than a decade, edible cannabis has transformed from an at-home hobby into an industry bringing in billions each year. With this swift blossoming comes the need for much more than your average kitchen in order to break into the market. To make it all work on a commercial scale, you need the right space, technology, equipment, and design.

While a lack of federal regulation and industry standardization has resulted in few food safety measures being put in place among the legal or medical use cannabis states, including the District of Columbia, an edibles kitchen must be smartly designed to meet local fire codes and exceed sanitation standards.

This means commercial-grade stainless steel cutting, prep, cooking, and washing surfaces with proper ventilation. This means thoughtful design elements and details only a professional can provide.

Having the right equipment is equally important. Not only is it the first step in creating the edibles you plan on selling, but it’s also the first step in meeting the dynamic demands of commercial edibles production.

Consistency is key when it comes to cannabis edibles production, and it’s something we take seriously here at Mise Designs. Every batch, regardless of its size or whether its cookies or mayonnaise, must be precisely prepared and dosed.

Overall flow and the design of your commercial kitchen space is also key. Stepping inside any successful cannabis edibles kitchen should overload the senses with sights, smells, textures, and sounds. Melodies should take form as chefs fluidly rustle about measuring and chopping ingredients, scraping the sides of bowls, setting pots on burners, and so on. It’s a dance only they know and music only they are able to make…with the right space.

The numbers don’t lie, the days of mom-and-pop home edibles businesses are over. To compete in today’s budding cannabis edibles industry, you need the right production equipment, space, and kitchen design. You need a professional touch.