review

The Calm After The Storm
Review by Luca Belloiu
Dec 17, 2022 · 3 min read

This high-CBD, low-THC drink from Koan is enough to center the mind and calm the body.

IN REVIEW: Are you seeking a gentle, calming solution to your aches, pains and anxiety? Koan's Calm Cordial is your answer. This unique brew has low-THC and high-CBD, a mix crafted to soothe both your mind and body. It's fast-acting, taking effect around the 15-minute mark, perfect for those seeking immediate relief. Plus, it's mild, so no worries about losing control. You can even mix it with your favorite juice to create a custom drink and it makes an excellent intro to the world of cannabis-infused beverages for the cannacurious.

After a night of overindulging in eggnog and rye whiskey, I was looking for something to help me come to terms with my hangover. This low-THC and high-CBD cordial from Koan proved to be an effective way of calming the mind and body. It allowed me to re-enter the world of the living while quieting my upset stomach. This was fortunate, as I was expected to spend the day with my family and be a somewhat productive human being that day. Mission accomplished!

The onset of this Calm Cordial occurred around the 15-minute mark. Coincidentally, my nephew invited me to play hockey with him in the driveway around the same time - in twenty-degree weather, no less. The timing couldn't have been better. 

The unpleasant remnants of the previous night's drinking decisions began to dissipate, giving way to a sense of wellbeing and, dare I say, fun. I felt lighter and more optimistic about the day. I even scored three goals against a seven-year-old in the frigid cold. It seemed my day had magically taken a turn for the better.

Riding this tide of goodwill, I joined my extended family at a local Christkindlmarket—an outdoor Christmas market that caters to kids and bears a strong German influence. Feeling quite relaxed and calm, I found the smells of sauerkraut and bratwurst to be a pleasant aroma, especially since I was hungry, which the cordial had inevitably made me. 

I promptly bought some Doner kebab and fries and devoured them in a faux-traditional beer hall tent. There was talk of an oompah band playing us a few numbers from the old country, but they never showed up. The rumor around the plastic-tarped tent was that the band was hungover, and I couldn't help but give the emcee a knowing look. 

After my wife spotted me on the verge of saying something inappropriate in front of the children, I dialed back my enthusiasm and sat in quiet contemplation. I mostly thought about how the situation might have been different if each member of the German brass band had consumed a Calm Cordial. Perhaps we would all be reveling in horn-heavy classics like "Ein Prosit der Gemütlichkei" at this very moment. 

No one seemed more disappointed than the older couple in lederhosen sitting in the corner, who seemed perfectly suited for a song that requires a tuba section. But I, in my "go-with-the-flow" mindset, merely shuttled from knick-knack kiosk to knick-knack kiosk, satisfied from the heavy salted bread, and generally enjoyed my time with the family.

Given the very low psychoactivity of this product, there was never a question of losing control or stepping into a world of jitters and anxiety. This is a perfect way to dip your toe into the realm of cannabis-infused drinks. For a more total body high, one could try Koan's higher dosage cordials like the Wonder, Delight, Create, Play, or Love. 

All cordials can be consumed straight out of the 10ml/.3oz bottle or mixed with your favorite juice. The flavor, I found, was both pleasing and complex, much like herbal tea. This Calm cordial from Koan is a great way to unwind, recover, and leave yourself open for spontaneity. It provides a very easy, breezy sort of CBD buzz.