Infusing Pakalōlō
into MCT Oil
Pakalōlō is the Hawaiian word for cannabis. Here it becomes a versatile, shelf-stable MCT oil: the TRM base for everything.
Before infusing, you must activate the THCA into THC using heat. Without this step, your oil will have little to no psychoactive effect.
Grind your flower into small, popcorn-sized pieces. Do not pulverize it into powder: too fine and it will be harder to strain cleanly later.
Spread it evenly on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper in a single layer.
Bake at the following temperature and time:
Your flower should come out looking light brown and toasted, not dark or burnt. A light golden color means your THCA converted successfully. Dark brown or black means it overheated and the cannabinoids degraded.
Combine your decarbed flower and MCT oil into your chosen infusion vessel. For a standard potency, use the 7–10g per cup ratio.
Keep the temperature in this range throughout, do not let it boil:
Stir occasionally. Low and slow is the goal: excessive heat degrades cannabinoids and ruins flavor.
Our preferred method at Tropical Roots Maui. The ALTA1 Fuse method cuts infusion time down to just 40–60 minutes with precise temperature control.
Set on low. Combine flower and oil directly in the crock. Easy and hands-off: great for larger batches.
Seal flower and oil in a mason jar, place in a pot of simmering water. Clean setup, minimal odor.
A bowl of oil over simmering water. Gives good visual control over temperature without direct heat.
Line a fine-mesh strainer with cheesecloth and set it over a bowl or measuring cup. Pour the warm oil through and let it gravity-strain completely: this takes 5–10 minutes.
Pour the finished oil into a tinted glass bottle (amber or cobalt blue are ideal). Label it clearly with the date, strain used, and estimated potency.
Store in a cool, dark place. MCT oil is shelf-stable at room temperature for several months, but refrigeration extends the shelf life to 12+ months without affecting texture since MCT stays liquid when cold.
⚠️ Keep clearly labeled: store away from children and pets!
- Store in a tinted glass bottle in the fridge: stays fresh for up to 3 months.
- Use a green rubber band on the bottle as a universal "infused" at-a-glance signal.
- Start with ½–1 tsp in any recipe and wait 60–90 minutes before adding more.
- Use our Oil Potency Calculator to fill in the Est. Potency field.
- Use our Dosage Calculator to plan per-serving doses in recipes.
Example: 7g × 1000 × 0.20 × 0.85 = ~1,190 mg total
Step 2: Per tsp: (Total mg) ÷ (Total tsp in batch)
Example: 1,190 mg ÷ 48 tsp (1 cup) = ~25 mg per tsp
Or skip the math: use the Oil Potency Calculator for an instant result.
Pakalōlō MCT Oil: Common Questions
How do you make Pakalōlō-infused MCT oil?
Four steps: decarb your ground flower at 240°F (115°C) for 30–45 minutes, infuse it in MCT oil held at 160–185°F (70–85°C) for 2–4 hours, gravity-strain through cheesecloth, then store in a tinted glass bottle away from light. The full walkthrough is in the steps above.
Do you need to decarboxylate Pakalōlō before infusing MCT oil?
Yes. Raw Pakalōlō contains THCA, which is not psychoactive. Baking ground flower at 240°F (115°C) for 30–45 minutes converts THCA into THC, so the finished oil actually has an effect. Skip it and your oil does almost nothing.
What temperature should you infuse MCT oil at?
Hold the oil at 160–185°F (70–85°C) throughout the infusion. Never let it boil: above 212°F (100°C) you start degrading THC, CBD, and terpenes. A kitchen thermometer is the cheapest way to protect a batch.
What is the flower-to-MCT-oil ratio?
The standard is 7–10g of Pakalōlō flower per 1 cup (237 ml) of MCT oil. Use less for a milder oil and more for a stronger one, up to the point the oil is saturated and can't hold more. To turn that into a per-teaspoon dose, run the numbers through the Oil Potency Calculator.
Can you infuse MCT oil with CBD?
Yes. The same decarb, infuse, strain, and store method works with high-CBD or hemp flower at the same temperatures. You can also infuse a mix of THC and CBD flower together for a balanced oil, just decarb both first.
MCT oil vs coconut oil: which is better for infusions?
Both work with the identical method, so it comes down to how you'll use the oil. MCT oil stays liquid at room temperature, is nearly flavorless, and absorbs quickly, which suits tinctures, capsules, and drinks. Coconut oil adds a coconut flavor and sets solid when cool, which some bakers prefer.
How long does Pakalōlō-infused MCT oil last?
In a tinted glass bottle in a cool, dark place it keeps for several months. Refrigerated, it lasts 12 months or longer and stays pourable, since MCT oil does not solidify when cold. Light is the main enemy, which is why the bottle color matters.
How do you calculate the potency of infused MCT oil?
Multiply grams of flower by 1000, by the THC percentage as a decimal, by about 0.85 for absorption, then divide by the teaspoons in your batch. For example, 7g at 20% THC in 1 cup (48 tsp) works out to roughly 25 mg per teaspoon. Or skip the math with the Oil Potency Calculator and the Dosage Calculator.
For adults 21+ only. Pakalōlō infusion is intended for legal use in compliance with your local laws. Always label infused products clearly and keep them out of reach of children and pets. Potency estimates are approximate: start with a low dose and wait at least 60–90 minutes.