Choosing a CBD oil is not only about deciding which strength to buy. Taste can make a surprisingly big difference to your experience, particularly if you plan to use CBD oil regularly.
Traditional unflavoured CBD oil has a naturally earthy, herbal taste that comes from hemp and the compounds retained during extraction. Some people really enjoy this because they want a product that tastes as close to the original plant as possible. Other people find the natural flavour too strong and would much rather use a flavoured CBD oil.
Neither option is automatically better.
A high-quality flavoured CBD oil can provide the same fundamental cannabinoid profile as its unflavoured equivalent while making the oil considerably more enjoyable for someone who dislikes the natural taste of hemp.
The important thing is to understand what has been added to create the flavour and what is already present in the underlying CBD extract.
In this guide, we explain the differences between flavoured and unflavoured CBD oil, what creates the characteristic taste of CBD, what to look for in the ingredients and how to find the best tasting CBD oil for you.
What does unflavoured CBD oil taste like?
If you have never tried a Whole Plant CBD oil before, its taste can be surprising.
Natural full spectrum CBD oil can have an earthy, grassy, herbal and sometimes slightly bitter taste. Depending on the extract and concentration, you may also notice more complex plant flavours.
That doesn’t mean there is anything wrong with the oil.
Quite the opposite. Whole Plant extracts contain more than CBD alone. Depending on the product, they can retain other naturally occurring cannabinoids, terpenes and flavonoids from the hemp plant.
Bristol CBD’s 5% Whole Plant CBD oil is a good example. We make it using organically grown Whole Plant hemp extract suspended in organic hemp seed oil. The resulting product retains a full spectrum of cannabinoids, terpenes and flavonoids rather than containing CBD isolate alone.
The natural hemp taste is therefore part of the experience.
Some of our customers actively prefer it. They enjoy knowing that what they can taste comes from a relatively simple formulation based around hemp extract and hemp seed oil.
For others, taste is the biggest barrier to using CBD consistently.
That is where flavoured CBD oil becomes particularly useful.
What is flavoured CBD oil?
Flavoured CBD oil takes an existing CBD formulation and adds an ingredient specifically intended to improve or change its taste.
The quality of that flavouring matters.
At Bristol CBD, for example, our 5% Peppermint Whole Plant CBD oil starts with organically grown Whole Plant hemp extract suspended in organic hemp seed oil. We then add organic, food-grade peppermint essential oil.
The CBD hasn’t disappeared simply because the oil tastes of peppermint. The product still contains 5% CBD together with the broader spectrum of cannabinoids and terpenes found in the underlying extract.
We also offer a 10% full spectrum lemon-flavoured CBD oil, giving customers another alternative to the traditional hemp taste. Our current flavoured CBD oils range therefore allows you to choose according to both CBD strength and flavour preference.
For someone who has previously tried CBD and thought, “I like the idea, but I really don’t like the taste”, flavoured CBD oil can make a significant practical difference.
Flavoured CBD oil vs unflavoured CBD oil
The main difference should be exactly what the names suggest: flavour.
A flavoured oil should not automatically be considered inferior simply because another ingredient has been added. Equally, an unflavoured CBD oil isn’t automatically higher quality simply because it tastes stronger or more bitter.
Quality depends on much more than taste.
The source of the hemp, extraction method, cannabinoid content, type of extract, carrier oil, additional ingredients and laboratory testing are all more meaningful indicators of quality.
This is why we encourage people to read the ingredients and product information rather than judging CBD oil by flavour alone.
If two oils use the same high-quality CBD extract but one contains an additional food-grade flavouring, the choice between them can simply come down to which one you are happier using consistently.
Does flavoured CBD oil still contain terpenes?
It can.
This is an important distinction because “flavoured” and “full spectrum” describe different characteristics of an oil.
Full spectrum refers to the wider composition of the hemp extract, whereas flavoured refers to ingredients that have been used to change or enhance its taste.
A CBD oil can therefore be both flavoured and full spectrum.
Our peppermint 5% CBD oil demonstrates this clearly. It contains Whole Plant full spectrum hemp extract and organic peppermint oil. The peppermint changes the taste without turning the underlying CBD extract into an isolate product.
This is useful to understand when shopping for flavoured CBD oil UK products because two flavoured oils can have completely different cannabinoid profiles.
Don’t assume that every mint, lemon or fruit-flavoured CBD oil is fundamentally the same product underneath the flavouring.
What ingredients should you look for?
A CBD oil doesn’t need an unnecessarily complicated ingredients list.
At its simplest, an oil will normally consist of a cannabinoid-containing extract combined with a suitable carrier oil. A flavoured version will then contain an additional ingredient or ingredients to create the desired taste.
For example, our unflavoured 5% Whole Plant oil combines full spectrum hemp extract with organic hemp seed oil. The peppermint version uses the same basic approach but adds organic, food-grade peppermint essential oil.
When comparing products, look for clear information about what is actually in the bottle.
You should be able to identify the CBD strength, total CBD content, extract type and carrier oil. If flavouring has been added, you should also be able to understand what has been used.
Transparency is more important than an impressive-sounding flavour description.
Is flavoured CBD oil weaker?
Not necessarily.
Flavour and CBD strength are separate things.
Our peppermint oil, for example, contains 5% CBD by net weight. The 10ml bottle contains 500mg of CBD, while the 20ml version contains 1,000mg. The presence of peppermint doesn’t change the fact that this is a 5% CBD product.
This is why you should compare CBD oils using the cannabinoid information rather than assuming a stronger taste means a stronger product.
A very mild-tasting CBD oil can contain a high concentration of CBD. A strongly flavoured natural hemp oil can contain considerably less.
Taste isn’t a reliable measure of potency.
Why do some CBD oils taste milder without added flavouring?
Not every mild-tasting CBD oil needs peppermint, lemon or another flavour added to it.
The way the hemp extract is processed can also influence its taste.
Some CBD oils are deliberately produced to offer a milder flavour while retaining a broader cannabinoid profile.
This can be a useful middle ground for people who don’t want an obviously flavoured oil but find the strong earthy taste of some Whole Plant products difficult.
Bristol CBD’s Gold oils are designed as mild-tasting full spectrum alternatives. For experienced CBD users looking for a high-strength option, our 20% Gold CBD oil provides another route to a less intense taste without simply covering the hemp flavour with peppermint or lemon.
This gives you three broad choices. You can embrace the natural hemp flavour, choose a naturally milder CBD formulation, or choose a flavoured CBD oil.
There is no universal reason why one of those approaches has to be better than the others.
What is the best tasting CBD oil?
There isn’t one best tasting CBD oil because taste is personal.
Some people genuinely enjoy the earthy character of Whole Plant hemp extract. Others tolerate it because they prefer the simplicity of an unflavoured formulation. Some people dislike it from the first drop.
Peppermint is popular because its fresh taste works naturally with the herbal character of hemp rather than trying to disguise it with an excessively sweet flavour.
Lemon provides a different experience, giving the oil a fresher citrus character.
Other people would rather avoid an obvious added flavour altogether and choose a mild-tasting Gold or broad spectrum oil.
The best tasting CBD oil is therefore the one that combines the cannabinoid profile and strength you want with a taste you are comfortable using.
This matters more than it might initially seem.
Buying a theoretically perfect CBD oil isn’t particularly useful if you dislike the taste so much that the bottle sits untouched in a cupboard.
Should beginners choose flavoured CBD oil?
Flavoured CBD oil can be a particularly good option for beginners, but it isn’t essential.
If you have never tried CBD before and generally enjoy strong herbal or earthy flavours, you may be perfectly happy with an unflavoured Whole Plant oil.
Our 5% Whole Plant CBD oil provides a straightforward way to experience the natural character of a full spectrum hemp extract.
If you’re sensitive to strong tastes, our Peppermint 5% CBD oil may be more appealing because the organic peppermint gives the oil a fresher flavour while retaining the Whole Plant full spectrum formulation.
The important point is that you don’t need to force yourself to tolerate a flavour you hate because you think unpleasant-tasting CBD must somehow be more authentic or effective.
There are other options.
Does flavour affect CBD quality?
Flavour alone tells you very little about quality.
A delicious CBD oil can be well made or poorly made. Exactly the same is true of an unflavoured oil.
When we assess CBD quality, we are much more interested in where the hemp came from, how it was grown, how the cannabinoids were extracted, what is actually present in the finished product and whether laboratory information is available.
At Bristol CBD, our Whole Plant oils use organically grown hemp and are made using full spectrum extracts. Our 5% Whole Plant oils are also vegan-friendly and free from gluten and GMOs.
We also believe value matters.
The best CBD oil isn’t automatically the most expensive bottle on the market. Customers should be able to understand what they are paying for and compare products using meaningful information such as CBD concentration, bottle size, extract type and ingredients.
Full spectrum, broad spectrum and flavour are different decisions
One common mistake is to group all mild or flavoured oils together.
When choosing CBD oil, it helps to separate two decisions.
The first is what type of cannabinoid extract you want. Whole Plant and full spectrum oils retain a broader range of hemp compounds. Broad spectrum products also contain multiple hemp compounds but are formulated differently, typically with THC removed. Other products may use highly purified CBD.
The second decision is how you want that product to taste.
Those decisions can overlap, but they are not the same thing.
Bristol CBD currently offers flavoured full spectrum oils as well as unflavoured Whole Plant oils and mild-tasting alternatives.
Understanding this makes comparing CBD products much easier.
Instead of asking only, “Which flavour should I buy?”, you can ask, “Which type of CBD extract do I want, what strength is appropriate, and which version will I actually enjoy taking?”
That is a much better way to choose.
How should you compare value?
CBD oil prices can be confusing because bottles come in different sizes and strengths.
A cheaper bottle isn’t necessarily better value, and a more expensive bottle isn’t necessarily better quality.
One useful starting point is to look at the total milligrams of CBD in the bottle rather than focusing exclusively on the percentage.
Our 5% Whole Plant range demonstrates why this matters. A 10ml bottle contains 500mg of CBD, whereas the 20ml version contains 1,000mg. Both are 5% CBD, but the larger bottle contains twice as much CBD overall.
You can then consider the quality and type of extract, carrier oil, additional ingredients, bottle size and price.
If you’re comparing flavoured and unflavoured versions of otherwise similar products, you can also see exactly what you’re paying for the flavoured option.
This creates a much more meaningful CBD oil comparison than simply choosing whichever bottle has the biggest percentage printed on the front.
What about CBD regulation in the UK?
CBD food products in the UK sit within the novel foods regulatory framework.
The Food Standards Agency explains that CBD extracts, CBD isolates and products to which they are added as ingredients are classed as novel foods and are subject to the relevant authorisation process.
Anyone interested in understanding the regulatory position in greater detail can read the Food Standards Agency’s official CBD guidance.
This is another reason why we encourage customers to buy CBD from established companies that provide clear information about their products rather than choosing an unknown oil purely because it is cheap or has an attractive flavour.
Flavoured CBD oil UK: How should you choose?
When choosing between flavoured CBD oil and unflavoured CBD oil, start with the product rather than the flavour.
Think about whether you want a Whole Plant, full spectrum or broad spectrum product. Look at the CBD concentration and total milligrams in the bottle. Check the ingredients and make sure you understand what has been added.
Then think about taste.
If you enjoy the natural earthy flavour of hemp, an unflavoured Whole Plant oil may be exactly what you’re looking for.
If you want the same type of Whole Plant experience but would prefer something fresher, peppermint can be an excellent alternative.
If you prefer citrus flavours, a lemon CBD oil provides another option.
If you dislike both natural hemp and obvious added flavours, a mild-tasting Gold oil could be a better fit.
The important thing is that flavour should help you find a product you are comfortable using rather than distract you from what is actually inside the bottle.
You can explore Bristol CBD’s complete range of flavoured CBD oils and compare them with our unflavoured CBD oils to find the combination of taste, strength, quality and value that works best for you.
If you’re still unsure, speak to us. We’re always happy to explain the differences between our oils and help you understand your options without making the choice unnecessarily complicated.
💚 About Bristol CBD
Bristol CBD is the most trusted CBD brand in the UK, with a 5 star rating on both Google and Trustpilot. Alongside our premium CBD products, we also offer a carefully curated range of high-spec functional mushrooms, including Lion’s Mane, Shiitake, Chaga and Reishi
At Bristol CBD we are committed to providing high quality, affordable CBD products together with friendly customer support. Bristol CBD is one of the few companies in the UK that has achieved full validation on the Food Standards Agency’s novel foods list for CBD products.
We pride ourselves on offering unparalleled customer service, support, and advice, backed by a 100% money-back guarantee if you’re not completely satisfied with your product.
If you have any questions about buying or using CBD or medicinal mushrooms, feel free to call us anytime on 07706 031 935. We’re always happy to share our experience and help you find the best solution for your personal needs.
Please note: our staff are not qualified doctors or nurses, and we do not make medical claims or recommend CBD for specific ailments. All content is based on scientific research and years of practical experience. We always encourage speaking with your GP or healthcare provider before starting any new supplement.