Coffee and cannabis might seem like an unlikely pairing at first, but in reality, this potent plant combination has been around—and appreciated—for millennia. With both substances being stimulants that make our lives better in their own ways, the relationship between them is one of balance rather than competition. As this trend for deliberately mixing and matching the two takes root in California, it can be helpful to spend a bit of time considering how and why these plants interact with one another.

For starters, coffee increases concentration, focus, and mental clarity by using caffeine to block adenosine receptors in our brains.  Adenosine is a chemical produced by the body to help regulate sleep and wakefulness.  When caffeine blocks adenosine receptors, it induces an amazing sense of alertness, one which contributes to the euphoric feeling of confidence that coffee has long been exalted for bringing to the human experience.  

Like coffee, cannabis also contains properties that contribute to this process; however, the cannabis plant’s impact is more noticeable because it slows down the production of adenosine all over your body, and not just in your brain. This means that if you drink a cup of coffee and enjoy cannabis simultaneously, you could have a much easier time staying focused on your tasks for hours at a time, or could alternatively create a combination that suits your style. 

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The relationship between coffee and cannabis is therefore one of balance rather than competition. Whether you want an energy boost or want to mitigate caffeine jitters, coffee and cannabis can represent a perfect pairing when consumed in tandem. 

Besides the molecular connection between how these two plants influence adenosine receptors in the brain and body, there is also a synergistic connection between the rituals that go into their preparation and consumption. Consider, for instance, the abundance of bean varieties and roast selections, and how different people have varying preferences based on their desired outcomes. The production of coffee also involves grinding beans, making sure the water is the perfect temp, and dialing in the optimum steeping time. 

Curating A Ritualistic Experience

On the cannabis side, a similar ritual emerges in terms of selecting a strain based on your desired experience, choosing your favorite delivery method (pipe or joint), and preparing your carefully-selected flower for consumption—which can, of course, directly involve the use of grinders created for coffee beans. 

The subtle art of pairing single-origin beans with specific cannabis cultivars is beginning to take shape, with people now becoming more attuned to the way flavors and aromas can complement one another and enjoying the feeling of exhaling a puff after your first sip of coffee.

The Dutch dialed in on this concept long ago, with their famous "coffee shops" representing the proto-dispensary that served coffee alongside spliffs and introduced new generations to the experience. The good news is that you no longer have to travel to the Netherlands to experience this epic combination—although you will not be disappointed if you do! But as legalization becomes more normalized in the United States, Californians are leading the charge when it comes to embracing the notion of selecting complementary strains of cannabis and coffee to create the perfect mindset for their days. 

On the Menu

Much like appreciating different pairings of wines with cheeses on a great charcuterie board or discerning the noted differences between beers in a flight at the local brewery before ordering the one you personally like best, you are already equipped to take flavors and aromas into account when enjoying foods and beverages. The same senses apply when it comes to selecting pairings of coffee beans and cannabis strains, with different combinations becoming more appealing than others depending on one’s individual taste buds and innate preferences—not only just for taste and smell, but also for moods and feelings. 

Think about it: You may instinctively prefer malbec over merlot because of the taste of the grapes and the altitude at which they’re grown, or you may opt for a beer with a lower alcohol content or more hops for one reason or another. And sometimes, outside factors are at play: Do you want a glass of refreshing white wine simply because it is hot out, or are you trying to consume a few beers because you like them—and not just to get drunk. 

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This nuanced selection process scales out to include your preferences for different strains of cannabis and different strengths and roasts of coffee and depending on what you’re in the mood for, you have the ability to make decisions that result in the perfect pairing for a given day. Whether you want a cup of coffee with a ton of caffeine or a cannabis strain with a ton of THC, you’re already making decisions based on how you want to feel. You just might not have considered how these two plants interact with one another, allowing you to curate an experience that is just right for you.

Experimenting with different combinations is easier than it sounds—and it can be a whole lot of fun, too. The key is to branch out of your comfort zone and sample different types of coffee and cannabis, perhaps keeping a log of how each option makes you feel. Over time, you can mix and match sips and puffs until you find what works for you. Discovering the ways in which coffee and cannabis work together is ultimately an individualized process, although it is easy to anticipate and even predict certain outcomes given the research that is out there on both plants and your previous experience with both of them.

Don’t Forget About Sustainability 

Finally, it’s important to remember that there’s more to coffee and cannabis products than labels and packaging. Agricultural practices matter, as do the treatment of both farmers and the land. Just as discerning consumers only buy fair-trade coffee and take human rights into account, environmentalists should only buy sustainable cannabis products that do as little harm to the planet as possible.

You can get everything you need by supporting a local coffee roaster in your area and rolling up some of The Legion of Bloom’s 5 Star Flower to go with your next homemade French press or pour-over. Be sure to ask coffee shops about their beans and make ethical decisions at the register. The same goes for cannabis.  Click here to find a dispensary near you that sells sustainable indoor flower from the Legion of Bloom.

About The Legion of Bloom

The Legion of Bloom is an award-winning, eco-conscious cannabis company known for its innovative approach to delivering cannabis products to Californians. LEGION is known for prioritizing sustainability over profits and championing environmental causes at the local level; indeed, the five LEGION founders are more than established cultivators—they are also long-time environmentalists who enable fellow Californians to be better by buying better. The Legion of Bloom offers cannabis products that come in compostable packages, with a goal of eliminating single-use plastics from the cannabis supply chain. 

Winners of multiple Emerald Cup awards, LEGION has long been known for their signature Monarch cartridges and California Sauce cartridges, and is proud to offer consumers a variety of sustainable cannabis products, including their new 5-Star flower line, terpene-rich THC vape cartridges and CBD oil. Visit www.thelegionofbloom.com to learn more about The Legion of Bloom and click here to find LEGION products near you.

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