“Weed is fun. Let’s face facts, it’s fun,” says Andrew Rea, the culinary maestro behind the wildly popular YouTube channel Binging with Babish, in an exclusive interview.
A Decade-Long Love Affair: From ‘Vapor Poo’ To ‘Digital’ Weed
Rea is not just a chef but a storyteller, seamlessly weaving narratives into recipes through his culinary recreations from movies, TV shows, and video games. His YouTube channel, Babish Culinary Universe, boasts more than 10 million subscribers and has become a beloved cornerstone of the online foodie community. His journey with cannabis, however, is a tale of personal discovery and therapeutic exploration.
“When I first started smoking weed, the only options were from shady characters and college kids on bikes in New York City,” Rea reflects with a smile. “If you had told me about the tech and availability now… If you had told me that weed would effectively become digital, that we’d have vaporizers that are disposable, that you would be able to walk around and smoke in a completely seamless and painless manner, and even get it delivered to your house above the letter of the law… I wouldn’t have believed it. But that’s the case now. It takes 45 minutes to order anything from my local dispensary.”
Rea’s journey with cannabis began about a decade ago, initially using it for both recreational and therapeutic purposes. “I’ve been roughly a daily user for about 10 years now, and it’s been incredible to see the cannabis landscape change in that time.” Battling anxiety and major depressive disorder, Rea finds solace and stability in cannabis. “It’s helped me manage my symptoms in some cases… and it’s also just fun,” he says.
Reminiscing about the early days, Rea talks about his first weed-infused culinary creations. “I bought a vaporizer called The Magic Flight Launch Box, which looked like something a Boy Scout made,” he laughs. “Back then, the only way I could make edibles was by using vaporized weed – which is already decarboxylated, and spreading it on peanut butter and Graham crackers to make something called firecrackers. The vaporized weed was colloquially referred to as ‘vapor poo,’” he adds with a humoristic tone.
Rea’s personal history with cannabis, coupled with his culinary expertise, has culminated in the creation of a THC-infused sugar. And he is visibly excited about the product’s potential to transform how people incorporate cannabis into their culinary experiences. “Not only is it flavorless and accurate, but it’s also micronized,” he explains, referring to the process of reducing the particles to a very fine size, which allows for quicker absorption and faster onset of effects.
Breaking The News: The Launch Of The Babish THC-Infused Sugar
In an exclusive announcement, Rea reveals his latest venture: he’s partnered with Old Pal, a cannabis lifestyle brand, to launch “Old Pal x Babish THC-Infused Sugar” on July 11. The product combines Old Pal’s cannabis extracts with Rea’s culinary creativity, offering a versatile, precision-dosed THC-infused sugar designed for both novice and experienced consumers.
Babish x Old Pal Sugar
“I knew I wanted to make a THC-infused sugar that didn’t add any flavor and could be used seamlessly in any recipe,” Rea explains. “It took quite a while to find a partner capable of doing that at the level Old Pal could. They not only met but exceeded my expectations.”
The result is a sugar that offers precise dosing and easy integration into a wide range of recipes. Each teaspoon contains 5 MG of THC, allowing consumers to customize their experience. “It’s super accurate. If you use a set amount in your recipe and then divide that recipe into serving sizes, you know exactly how much you’re taking into your system,” Rea explains. “You can also just grab a tablespoon-full and put it in your coffee, and you know exactly how much you’re ingesting.”
Rea highlights the importance of safety and convenience in cannabis edibles. “There’s always a horror story about eating a brownie, not feeling anything for two hours, having another one, and then feeling like one’s gonna die,” he says. “So, to be able to make predictable homemade edibles that are both safer -in that you don’t end up double or triple dosing yourself, and it’s also just more convenient, is amazing. It’s also one of the most pure cannabis experiences that I could imagine: it’s the least harmful (I would imagine) for your body since you’re not smoking it.”
Rea’s enthusiasm for the partnership with Old Pal is palpable. “I’ve always been a huge fan of their products and their retro vibe. They focus on the user experience rather than just getting you high. Their design and quality-first approach made them the ideal partner.” And he adds, “It’s more connected to the user experience and less about let’s see how messed up we can get you. It’s more about: here’s the experience, enjoy it, take it in.”
Unparalleled Reach
Andrew Rea’s influence extends far beyond the kitchen, leveraging his substantial following on YouTube and social media channels to market his new product. With over 10 million subscribers on his YouTube channel, Binging with Babish, and more than 2 million social media followers, Rea’s reach is among the biggest in the culinary space – and unforeseen in the cannabis space.
This is especially significant when compared to other notable cannabis content creators like:
- Dope As Yola, who has 1.8 million YouTube subscribers,
- Mr. Canucks Grow with 1.06 million subscribers,
- Haley420 with 831K subscribers,
- RuffHouse Studios with 723K subscribers,
- From Seed To Stoned with 659K subscribers,
- En Volá with 606K subscribers,
- SilencedHippie with 526K subscribers,
- StrainCentral with 435K subscribers,
- Cali Green with 402K subscribers,
- CannaCribs with 290K subscribers
- Strainhunters with 270K subscribers,
Rea’s extensive platform not only surpasses many established cannabis influencers but also provides a robust and impactful marketing channel for the new THC-infused sugar, ensuring broad audience engagement and a potential consumer base that spans various demographics.
Only A High Person Could Think Of This
“Weed let me look at the world through a new lens really, which I needed in my 20s when I was trying to make it in New York City. I was thinking very inside the box, and it was very nice to take a peek outside the box thanks to cannabis here and there,” Rea reflects.
When asked if he was high when coming up with the idea of recreating recipes from movies, video games, TV shows, and cartoons, he candidly admits, “I think so. If we’re playing the odds here, it was nighttime in 2016. If it was after work and I was on my own and messing around with cameras in the kitchen, I’d say I was very likely high.”
And he goes on to detail the nuances of the creative process. “I was in a pretty deep creative rut. I had just finished a very long project that didn’t really go anywhere and it really threw me for a loop; it made me question my ability and whether or not I was ever gonna have anything to say in this industry.”
Reflecting on his journey to regain his creative spark, Rea emphasizes the importance of therapy. He explains that while cannabis can be a great tool to feel better, it’s not a solution on its own. “I recommend going to therapy first, not using weed to treat anything. It is not a fixer; it is an augmenter. So, that’s what I did: I went to therapy and got on the right antidepressants. It reminded me that I need to keep pushing my creative boundaries, trying new things and experimenting. Weed is really great at helping you see things from a new perspective, imagine things in a different way, or experience them in a different way.”
The Journey To Mainstream Acceptance
Rea’s relationship with cannabis is multifaceted. It has played a significant role in his life, both personally and professionally. He speaks about the therapeutic benefits, noting how it helps to “round off the hard edges of the day.” For Rea, cannabis offers a different kind of relief compared to other substances. “If alcohol blurs them [the hard edges], weed rounds them,” he says, highlighting the nuanced effects he appreciates.
When asked about his choice to describe his cannabis use as therapeutic, versus medicinal, his answer is extremely well thought out. “I would say cannabis is therapeutic because, instead of treating my existing conditions, which I use prescription medications to do, it broadened my horizons. So it wasn’t about fixing what’s happening here; it was about discovering what’s going on out there.”
This is the main reason for Rea to talk about therapeutic applications of cannabis in his specific case, instead of talking about medicinal uses. “That’s exactly what it did for me: It gave me new perspectives and new experiences that I wouldn’t have had otherwise,” Rea explains.
This distinction is supported by scientific studies, which define therapeutic cannabis use as improving overall well-being and offering new perspectives, while medicinal use involves treating specific medical conditions under clinical supervision. More information can be found on The BMJ and Systematic Reviews Journal.
Fast forward to the present, Rea is placing himself at the forefront of the cannabis culinary movement. His collaboration with Old Pal signifies a leap towards mainstream acceptance and innovation. And he is acutely aware of the shifts in the general public’s perception of cannabis. “The tide is turning on public opinion about cannabis. People are becoming more accepting,” he argues.
“I would say that especially compared to so many substances that are fully legal and widely available right now, cannabis is a much safer, much more fun, potentially therapeutic for some people and less destructive form of recreation than so many other substances that are out there that are currently legal,” Rea adds.
His authenticity is a cornerstone of his public persona. He has never shied away from his cannabis use, often making subtle references in his shows. “I’ve made allusions to smoking jazz cigarettes on my show,” he says. “I also recreated a dish from the show ‘High Maintenance’ that was cannabis-infused. It’s not a secret that I enjoy the use of the herb.” This openness extends to his latest venture, where he sees no reason to hide his involvement with cannabis. “If any sponsor has a problem with it, they’re stuck in a dated way of thinking.”
Rea’s passion for cannabis extends to his admiration for creative individuals in various fields. When asked who he would most like to share a joint with, he responds enthusiastically, displaying a clear appreciation for innovative minds and unique perspectives: “I want to smoke a joint with Daniels, the directors of ‘Everything Everywhere All at Once.’”
Doubling down on his answer, he goes on to list another dream joint rotation partner, Richard Linklater. “He’s one of my very favorite filmmakers, he filmed my favorite pot-smoking scene of all time, and he knows great music,” he says.
The Broader Implications Of Cannabis In Culinary Arts
In discussing the broader implications of cannabis in the culinary world, Rea is both reflective and forward-thinking. He acknowledges the therapeutic benefits he has experienced and is eager to see how cannabis can enhance the culinary arts. “I wouldn’t want to cross any boundaries. I wouldn’t want to suggest to anybody that they could self-medicate with weed. It’s just like any other substance; it’s not something you want to self-medicate with. But it’s something that has therapeutic and medicinal benefits, no doubt.”
Rea’s thoughtful approach to cannabis-infused cooking is evident in his emphasis on accessibility and user experience. “I wanted to make something that definitely does the job for weed experts but also is inviting and accessible to people who have never tried cannabis before,” he explains. This balance is essential in a market where newcomers and seasoned users alike are looking for reliable and enjoyable products.
Looking ahead, Rea is excited about the potential of cannabis in the culinary world. The launch of “Old Pal x Babish THC-Infused Sugar” is a significant milestone, not just for Rea and Old Pal, but for the broader intersection of cannabis and cuisine. The product’s initial availability in New York and Arizona, followed by Maryland, Virginia, New Jersey, and Colorado, marks the beginning of what promises to be an expansive journey.
As Rea continues to innovate and advocate for the normalization of cannabis consumption, his journey is a testament to the transformative power of the plant, both in personal lives and in broader cultural contexts. His story is one of creativity, authenticity, and a relentless pursuit of new experiences. This journey, much like his cooking, is about exploring new horizons and sharing those discoveries with the world.