The world of cannabis concentrates can be intimidating. There is a huge variety of options, accessories and tiny jars that can be confusing. While they may seem mysterious at first, they can offer a whole new cannabis experience. Each concentrate offers a unique potency, flavor and consistency unlike smoking the cannabis in its flower form. Let’s break it down into some of the most common cannabis concentrates:
Hash: One of the oldest forms of cannabis concentrate, hash is made by separating the trichomes from the plant material, resulting in a compressed and potent resin. You may also see a product called bubble hash, which more closely resembles kief, but it’s flavor is more complex and “hashy.” Hash is often considered the original cannabis concentrate as it’s history dates back centuries.
Kief: Kief is composed of the trichomes that collect at the bottom of a grinder. It is a fine powder with high cannabinoid content. Generally, kief has a lower THC potency than other concentrates, making it a nice accompaniment to joints, blunts or bowls. It is also easy to work with making it a good choice for beginners.
Rosin: Rosin is a solventless concentrate made by applying heat and pressure to cannabis flowers or hash, resulting in a sticky, flavorful extract. Rosin is made using a solventless extraction method, making it a preferred concentrate for those looking for a pure and flavorful extract.
Shatter: Shatter is a hard, glass-like concentrate with a high THC content. It breaks easily into pieces, hence the name. This is a beefy one in terms of potency and can easily hit 60%-80% THC depending on the flowers used to make it. Shatter is a versatile concentrate that can be added to joints, concentrate vaporizers, or used with a dab rig.
Wax: Wax is a softer and more malleable concentrate than shatter, with a sticky, wax-like consistency. It is a favorite among dab users as it’s easy to dose and work with.
Budder: Budder is similar to wax but has a creamier texture, resembling softened butter. Not to be confused with butter used to make cannabis baked goods, budder is a cured or live extract used in a dab rig, dab pen. Due to its texture, it can also be easily mixed into joints and bowls for a more powerful consumption experience.
Crumble: Crumble has a crumbly, granulated texture, making it easy to handle and use. This is another terrific concentrate for beginners to start with. Adding small amounts of crumble to an already comfortable consumption method, like a bowl or a joint, is a nice way to try out concentrates.
Live Resin: Live resin is made from fresh, flash-frozen cannabis plants, preserving a higher concentration of terpenes and providing an intense flavor profile. The live method of processing holds onto the cannabis flavor and complexity better than a traditional curing method. A good choice for those who are looking for a terpy, or flavorful experience.
Sauce: Also known as terp sauce, it is a concentrate with a high terpene content, providing a rich and flavorful experience. Sauce is not a high potency concentrate, making it a nice option for those that are looking for flavor and a less powerful experience.
Distillate: Distillate is a pure and refined form of cannabis concentrate, with THC levels reaching up to 99%. It is often used in vape cartridges and edibles. Distillate is extracted using traditional curing methods, and at this high of potency, much of the terpy flavor is lost.
CO2 Oil: Extracted using carbon dioxide, CO2 oil is a cleaner and more refined concentrate. CO2 oil is another common concentrate used in vape pens.
THC/CBD Tinctures: Tinctures are liquid concentrates typically made by extracting cannabinoids using alcohol or glycerin. They are often consumed sublingually (under the tongue) for fast absorption. Most popular among medical patients that need a quick response to soothe their medical conditions.
Diamonds: Diamonds, or sometimes called sauce diamonds, are crystalline structures that form within terpene-rich concentrates. They contain high levels of cannabinoids and terpenes and are often sought after for their potency.
Cannabis Oil: Cannabis oil is a versatile concentrate that can be used for various applications, but is most common in cooking and other edibles.
Full Spectrum Extract (FSE): FSE is a concentrate that retains a wide range of cannabinoids, terpenes, and other plant compounds, offering a more holistic experience.
Caviar: Caviar is a concentrate made by soaking cannabis flower in hash oil, then rolling it in kief. This results in a highly potent and flavorful product.
These are just a few examples of the many types of cannabis concentrates available on the market. Each type offers a different experience and potency level, catering to the diverse preferences of cannabis consumers. The cannabis industry continually develops new and innovative extraction techniques, leading to an expanding variety of concentrates for consumers to explore. It’s essential to use concentrates responsibly and take it slow when starting out. As always, stop by FireFlower and chat with our friendly budtending staff about concentrates, where to start, or how to expand what you’ve already tried.