The Ultimate Guide to Cannabis Concentrates and its Different Types
With each passing year, cannabis users are more interested in concentrates. The variety of concentrates that are available to those who want them also increases with time. There are so many types of concentrates available on the market that it can be difficult to understand them all. That's why I am here to give you a quick overview of some of the most sought-after concentrates, from wax to distillate.
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This guide is for anyone who is new to cannabis or just looking to refresh your knowledge.
What is wax?
The most popular cannabis concentrate, wax (also known as budder), is named for its wax-like consistency. Because of its consistency and low potency, wax is the most accessible concentrate for occasional users. It is also easy to use and much less potent than more refined options like shatter or distillate. Similar to this, wax is undoubtedly the most affordable option on this list. The wax concentrate is the most effective at preserving the terpene profiles after extraction. This means that the taste is more distinct than one might expect from a purified concentrate. The color of wax and budder is usually extracted with butane. It can vary greatly depending on the quality of cannabis or the extraction process. Additionally, waxes can be consumed by dabbing.
What is Shatter?
Shatter, the most commonly available type of concentrate on the market, is a popular choice and a favorite amongst dabbing enthusiasts. It can be easily found at your local cannabis dispensary. Shatter is known for its glassy consistency and appearance that resembles hardened tree sap. It offers cannabis users the highest price-to-potency ratio. Shatter is currently the most popular concentrate available, and this is evident by its accessibility. Shatter is offered by almost every concentrate company, from Green Dot to Craft Concentrates. This makes it easy to find as most dispensaries carry at least one brand.
Shatter is usually extracted with butane or co2 and can tell you a lot about the quality of the shatter. Although more pure and better-extracted shatter will appear golden or honey-like, lower quality extracts will often have a darker hue. Shiny, brighter shatters are more appealing to the palate, while darker, browner shatters indicate a higher level of impurities.
What is a distillate?
We now have the most powerful type of concentrate, distillate. Distillates are relatively new to extracts. They have the potential for being significantly more potent than previous versions. Distillate, unlike the other entries, was not named for its consistency and appearance but rather for its distinctive potency. Although wax and shatter typically contain between 40-70% THC, distillate is a potent way to get THC. It can even be as high at 99% THC. Distillates can be more difficult than shatter or wax because they are often more aqueous.
There are many products that allow you to discreetly and conveniently use the most potent concentrates currently available. One would assume that distillates are up to 99% pure THC. However, the complicated refinement process used to produce distillate leaves little room for terpenes.
Many concentrate companies add terpenes after the distillation process has been completed. This gives extractors unprecedented control over the flavor and profile of the final products. Distillates tend to be more expensive than most other concentrates. They are often more expensive than most waxes or shatters.
What is live Resin?
Let's talk about live resin, which is probably the most misunderstood and confusing concentrate. Live resin is often vaporized or dabbed and made using a unique process that freezes the entire cannabis plant before the extraction process. It has many distinct characteristics from other types of concentrates.
The starting material is kept at freezing temperatures during the extraction process. This prevents the plant's trichomes from being exposed to light and oxygen, which can be harmful to their terpenes and oxidation.
Live resin has a unique extraction process that preserves the terpene profile of the starting material. This makes it more flavorful than other concentrates with similar potencies. It is also a popular choice for connoisseurs. Some live resins are more viscous than others, while others can shatter more. Many live resin products have intricate terpene profiles and high levels of potency. This makes them an excellent choice for concentrate enthusiasts.
What is Rosin?
Rosin is a special type of cannabis concentrate due to the way it is handcrafted. It doesn't contain any solvents. What is a solvent? A solvent is an agent that's used to refine and distill cannabis products in order to separate the molecules. An alternative to using solvent rosin is an extraction method that uses pressure and heat to extract the resinous sap from the start material (buds, trichome-rich cannabis leaves).
Rosin is a term that you may have used to refer to bows, or stringed instruments. It was used to cause friction with violin bows. Although it is not the same as Cannabis concentrate rosein, this is the origin of the name. This solventless method is why rosin is so popular. This method involves using heat and pressure to extract cannabis resin. This solventless method means that Rosin can be made at home without the risk of explosion. To make Rosin at home, you will need the following items:
- A hair straightener
- Some parchment paper
- A collection tool
- You should use heat-resistant gloves. Safety is paramount.
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Concentrate buyers have many options. There are many factors to consider, including the different levels of potency, the price points and the consumption methods. As the market continues to grow, so do the choices of concentrates.You can find everything you need at a cannabis dispensary to concentrate your cannabis.