CBD vs CBG Coffee: What's the Difference?
CBD and CBG are both non-intoxicating cannabinoids from hemp, but they come from different points in the plant's life, and people choose them for different reasons. CBD is the common, widely studied cannabinoid. CBG is rarer and sits earlier in the plant's chemistry. Here is how they compare in your coffee.
What is the difference between CBD and CBG?
CBD (cannabidiol) is the most abundant cannabinoid in mature hemp. CBG (cannabigerol) is the "mother cannabinoid," the compound the plant starts with and then converts into CBD, THC, and others as it grows. Because the plant uses most of its CBG up during growth, finished CBG is rarer and usually costs more to produce. Both are non-intoxicating, so neither one produces a high.
CBD coffee vs CBG coffee at a glance
| CBD coffee | CBG coffee | |
|---|---|---|
| Cannabinoid | Cannabidiol | Cannabigerol |
| Role in the plant | Made from CBGA as hemp matures | The precursor other cannabinoids form from |
| Abundance in hemp | High | Low, which is why it costs more |
| Intoxicating? | No | No |
| THC | None detectable (broad-spectrum) | None detectable (broad-spectrum) |
| Who tends to choose it | People wanting the familiar, well-studied option | People wanting a rarer cannabinoid or a different profile |
Can you have CBD and CBG together?
Yes. Buddha Beans makes a Colombia CBG plus CBD coffee that pairs both cannabinoids in one bag, including a Black Label version with 300mg CBG and 300mg CBD. Some drinkers prefer having both rather than choosing one.
Does CBG or CBD change the taste of coffee?
No. The cannabinoids are infused into the bean and do not add a hemp flavor when the coffee is roasted and brewed well. What you taste is the coffee itself, which is why we start with single-origin specialty Arabica rather than hiding behind flavoring.
Which should you choose?
If you are new to cannabinoid coffee, CBD is the straightforward starting point. If you already drink CBD and want to try something less common, CBG or a CBG plus CBD blend gives you a different profile. Neither is intoxicating, and both are dosed by the milligram and lab tested.
These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. These products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.
