Baked beets? We’ve tried Canada’s healthiest edibles so you don’t have to
Of the hundreds of edibles in Canada, there are only a handful that don’t contain a lot of sugar. There are sites of candy, chocolates, gummies and other confections where there is no vegetable in sight – until now. For the first time, health-conscious cannabis lovers can try dried vegetables and a new breed of dried fruit. Well if you are in Quebec.
Dehydrated Beets, Cauliflower, and Figs – oh my!
Quebec has always had a hesitant relationship with cannabis legalization, enacting some of the toughest regulations in the country and cracking down on cannabis culture in the province of La Belle.
Back in 2019, the province banned the sale of cannabis-infused candy on the grounds that such products were “attractive” to minors, and delayed stocking up on edibles of any kind long after the products became legal the following year.
Overshadowed by the province’s previously only legal edibles — cassis and cinnamon bites — my expectations for the new offerings were low.
Honestly, they tasted like one of those seed bells you put in your garden in the winter to keep titmice from starving. That said, I’ve tried several bags of cannabinoid-infused fruits and veggies so you don’t have to. So they piled up.
The basics
Quebec’s new edibles are being made by Ontario-based CannMart along with BC-based processor Rilaxe Canada. Each pouch of THC-infused edibles contains four units (aka dried veggies).
According to federal regulations, each unit contains about 2.5 mg of THC, for a total of 10 grams per package; Each unit also contains 5mg of CBD.
Each pouch of CBD-infused edibles contains five units, with 20mg of CBD per unit and possible trace amounts (less than 0.1mg per unit) of THC.
The professionals
- Vegan– All three options are vegan and gluten/nut free, meaning they are compatible with a variety of diets.
- Price– At CAD$5.80 to CAD$6.90 per pack, the price is affordable for most Quebecers buying adult-use cannabis in the legal market.
- Low dosage—The beginner-friendly small dose per piece makes it easy to “start low and go slow” without overdoing it.
The disadvantages
- Healthy?– no real significant nutritional value, these veggies won’t exactly count as a serving of fruit or veg.
- Low dosage– it’s a double-edged sword. While the low THC dose per pot makes it easy for new cannabis users to avoid overdoing it, more experienced adult users may find that they need to consume a substantial amount to achieve desired results.
Cauliflower: Infused cauliflower
Ingredients: Organic Cauliflower, Organic High Oleic Sunflower and/or Safflower Oil, Sea Salt, Organic Maltodextrin, MCT Oil, Cannabis Extract.
Although each piece is shaped like a bite-sized piece of cauliflower, I found the texture and flavor to be more consistent with a hearty mix of popcorn and rock salt.
Some bites have a slightly nutty flavor, but it’s not really noticeable over the lick of sodium that accompanies each bite. I love salt but I struggled to get through these.
Best choice for consumption: Crumbled as a parmesan-like topping for pasta, mixed thoroughly into poutine or French Canadian pea soup, not at all.
Would I buy it again? Not.
bottom line: This cauliflower is unlikely to please either children or adults. Ultimately, this seems like just a missed opportunity to sell some weed-infused funyons (or foignons).
The Beets: Infused Beets
Ingredients: Beets, non hydrogenated canola and/or sunflower oil, tapioca starch, sea salt, MCT oil, cannabis extract.
I hate turnips and envisioned them as large leathery slices of vegetable leather flavored with borscht. I was pleasantly surprised when I opened the bag and discovered what looked and tasted like an earthy purple potato chip. Unlike their cauliflower compatriot, the oven-baked beets aren’t overly salty and have a mostly crunchy texture. These are fine!
Best choice for consumption: Garnish a salad instead of croutons, tuck it in a falafel wrap or shish taouk
Would I buy it again? Maybe!
bottom line: If you like those colorful veggie chips they sell in the bougie/hippie/organic line at the grocery store, you’ll probably like these.
The figs: Infused dried figs
Ingredients: Organic Figs, Cannabis Extract, MCT Oil.
While a little less sweet and a little tougher than the average supermarket fig, these are the clear winners of the three. They’re harmless, look the way they’re supposed to, and easily blend into different recipes.
Figues Séchées Infusées taste pleasant enough, but not so much that you’ll be tempted to snack on them when you’re hungry. If you like figs, you will like these figs.
Best choice for consumption: Chopped in trail mix, as a topping for oatmeal (high in brown sugar), in a smoothie, on top of a tarte au sucre.
Would I buy it again? Yes, to keep in my purse/closet or maybe for my mom to try.
bottom line: The kind of edibles you would buy for your mother.
What’s next for Quebec edibles is anyone’s guess. Pot-spiked plum juice? Edibles disguised as homework, a stack of T4s, or a bottle of cod liver oil?
Only time can tell. But if previous trends are any indication, we’ll probably wait a while. For those outside of Quebec, Rilaxe offers four dried fruit options — mango, cherry, banana, and apricot — with varying availability by province.
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