Solventless concentrates like rosin, live rosin and bubble hash are the closest thing to cannabis flower in concentrate-form since they maintain all desirable plant-derived cannabinoids & fragrant terpenes but leave out combustable (carcinogenic) plant matter & problematic residual solvents. Many health-conscious consumers make the switch from smoking to vaporizing solventless concentrates because it’s more gentle and may reduce respiratory symptoms. A “dab” of the concentrate’s vapor may be inhaled (“dabbing”) and sometimes solventless concentrates are consumed in vaporizing devices like cartridges.
Bubble (ice water) hash: flower is “washed” to remove plant matter, leaving pure trichomes, cleaner than kief. Often sprinkled on weed and smoked, adding potency thus better value; high-quality, melty “full melt” hash can be dabbed
Flower rosin: cured flower is “pressed” using low temperature and pressure to smush out consumable oil. Less refined than hash rosin. closest to flower
Hash rosin: often made from trim, washed into bubble hash then pressed. More clean with fewer lipids than flower rosin. good value
Live rosin: made from flower frozen at harvest to maintain more of the plant’s natural, fragrant terpenes; then washed and pressed. highest quality
* Live rosin is solventless. Live resin is BHO or made with other hydrocarbon solvents
While cannabis concentrates have been made around the world for thousands of years (hash, kiefi, recent decades have sparked increasingly more extraction methods producing a wider range of textures. For several decades, the goal was to extract as much THC as possible but the modern trend has been to make better tasting, more “terpy” concentrates with easier, more malleable consistencies. Diverse textures are achieved by employing manipulation aka “curing” techniques involving temperature (cold/warm cure), pressure, whipping, stretching and most importantly the quality of the source material and how well it’s been maintained.
Shatter most brittle, like hard candy; transparent
Sap sticky and saucy, like molasses; transparent
Budder waxy and somewhat crumbly; opaque
Crumble crumbly like aged hard cheese; opaque
*rosin texture terms also apply to BHO & other concentrates
Types of Dabbing Devices
Dab Rig: many types, torch to heat, must learn timing to get right temperature
E-Nail: uses dab rig but removes torch as heating element for ease of use
Electric Dab Rig: portable, often pricey, may vape both concentrates and bud; ie. Puffco Peak- industry favorite/ battery issues; Focus V Carta- lower price
Dab Straw (Nectar Collector): glass, easy to regulate dab size, requires torch
Electric Dab Straws: portable, good for beginners, no required tools, dry dabs, regulate dab size from original jar; ie. Little Dipper: low price; EVRI: multi-use
*use discount code ARYAC on dipdevices.com for 10% off
*TIP dabbing has a reputation for high-dosing but you can start with a smaller dab and titrate up to regulate your consumption. Too big of a dab can be overwhelming
*TIP some consumers report a pneumonia-like reaction from consuming large quantities of extracts made using butane or other hydrocarbon solvents (BH0); solventless are cleaner
*TIP kept cold, rosins are clearer with less smell; with time/heat they may “budder up” having increased fragrance and transform from sticky to more crumbly; less-sticky is easier to apply to joint or bowl; will last longer when kept cold
*TIP color of source flower or curing may determine color
*TIP more opaque, less viscous concentrates tend to be lower in THC but make up for it with greater terpene profiles & thereby a more complex high (dubbed “the entourage effect”)
*TIP low temp dabs give more terpy flavor/ healthy and safer
*TIP debate on wet vs dry dabs: water is added to dab rigs for smoother hits; dry dabs are more efficient- less