So many concentrates, how can you concentrate?

Written By Ginja Club
 
 

Of course, I know what shatter is..

It’s that white stuff right? No wait, green?

I’ve been smoking cannabis for many years now, but the amount of concentrates, waxes, shatters, rosins, moonrocks, space mountains, star wars… ya I get lost too. In the span of five years, the number of different types of concentrates has skyrocketed. As someone who is enmeshed in the cannabis industry, I was a bit ashamed to admit I didn’t know what most of these names meant. So I took the time to read some articles, ask some friends and figure out what the hell crumble was.

When discussing the vast amount of concentrates we need to establish a few ground rules.

Firstly… what are concentrates?

Concentrates are basically concentrated resin glands, cannabinoids, terpenes, and cannabis byproducts that are ‘extracted’ from the cannabis plant through various methods. Due to it be concentrated, there are significantly higher levels of cannabinoids and terpenes. Some forms of extractions can produce concentrates with 99% THC.

Secondly, we need to design a categorizing scheme in which to organize them.

Starting Material

There are three different ‘runs’ when alluding to extractions. The first of these kinds is recognized as “trim runs”. Trim runs refer to using trim (or discarded parts of the cannabis plant after the buds are removed) as starting material in the extraction process. Extractors buy the trim from cultivators at a more economical price and ‘run’ it through the manufacturing process. Typically, ‘trim run’ produces lower quality concentrates, and this is reflected in the price.

The second kind is termed ‘nug run’. As the name might imply, extractors start with nugs or whole buds. While this method is more expensive, it produces better yield and higher quality concentrates. Connoisseurs prefer concentrates made using nugs as it offers a much more robust terpene profile and thus a flavorful taste.

The third kind is termed ‘live’, indicating that the starting material is a live plant (before the curing process). Fresh plants are cut and frozen until they are ready for extraction. Extractors who are extremely meticulous about preserving terpenes utilize this method in order to avoid the disruptive process of flushing and curing. This translates to some of the most flavorful concentrates on the market.

Methods of Extraction

Next, let’s move on to methods of extractions. It might get a little complicated but basically, the myriads of methods are split into two categories, solvent, and solventless extractions. Solvent extractions use a solubilizing agent such as butane or propane to remove the cannabinoids and terpenes. The solvent is later on removed in the purging process leaving the active elements and only trace amounts of contaminants from the solvent. Solventless methods, on the other hand, use manual or mechanical agitation to remove the resin glands.

- Solventless Extracts -

Kief

The simplest form of solventless extraction is kief, or raw hash. It can easily be found at the bottom of grinders (with kief catchers) or weed jars and contains significant levels of plant matter. Kief can be refined by dry-sieving or “running it” through multiple mesh screens to produce dry sift hash. It is both potent and aromatic but has a harsher flavor compared to full melt hash. Often sprinkled in joints and bongs, it’s a convenient way to add some extra kick to your next smoke session.

Full Melt Hash

One of the most potent and flavorful concentrates; full melt hashish is the Don Perignon of solventless extracts. It is typically made by placing live fresh frozen or full flowers in a tub of ice. As the ice melts, the extractor begins using different forms of mechanical agitation to “shake” the trichomes off. The fallen trichomes are collected in this milky mixture of cold water and resin glands. The caramel liquid is then run through a series of bubble bags (or filters) leaving a substance that I can only describe as cake batter. Finally, these sand-like particles are properly dried (and sometimes pressed) to give its final form.

Rosin

The purest form of solventless extraction, rosin, is created by using pressure and gentle heat to squeeze the resin glands through a “rosin” bag or filter. As the resin glands burst, all the essential oils are released and you are left with an extremely sticky and pungent taffy-like material. Rosin can be made from whole flower, hash, or kief and is labeled as such. It is so pure that it is one of the few forms of solventless extracts that is dabbable. There are plenty of DIY rosin presses that allow you to try rosin extraction safely. The main downside to rosin, however, is the low yield. That is why rosin is one of the most expensive concentrates on the market.

CO2 Extraction

This method uses a combination of super-critical CO2, high pressure and high temperature to strip the essential elements from the cannabis plant. The result is an extremely potent oily mixture of cannabinoids and terpenes. Producing concentrates through this method requires a degree of skill, therefore experienced CO2 extractors are in high demand. But, it is also produces some of the safest solvent extracts, which is why most vape cartridges are made using CO2 extraction.

- Solvent Extracts -

Hydrocarbon Extracts

Also known as Butane Hash Oil (BHO) or Propane Hash Oil, Hydrocarbon Extracts are concentrates created by using pressurized chemical agents such as butane or propane to remove the essential oils from the flower. Hydrocarbon Extracts are extremely potent (with THC levels ranging from 70–90% on average) and come in a variety of consistencies. This method of extraction is great for preserving the cannabinoids and terpene profile of a specific strain. However, because the solvents used for extraction are combustible, the process is much more dangerous.

The most common way to consume these extracts are through “dabbing”.

Consistency

Many of the newer extracts are labeled based on their consistencies.

Shatter

Known for its ability to break easily, shatter is a hard translucent concentrate made through hydrocarbon extraction. This consistency is achieved by allowing the raw extract to sit on a flat stable surface and left undisturbed during the purging process. Of all the hydrocarbon extracts, shatter is one of the most affordable because post-processing is not required.

Wax

Soft, opaque concentrates that vary in consistency and color depending on the manufacturing and purging process. For example, when whipped vigorously it can take the form of budder or icing. Waxes can also be purged to create dried porous structures known as honeycomb and crumble.

Distillate

All forms of solvent extracts can go through a refinement process to produce specific desired cannabinoids such as THC or CBD. Distillates are typically flavorless and can be “dabbed” or are used in other cannabis products such as edibles or vapes. Terpenes are often added to the final distillate in order to enhance the aroma and flavor.

Diamonds

(AKA stones, gems, rocks) Called diamonds because of their multifaceted and opaque nature are made through extraction methods utilizing a mixture of solvents and special equipment. These THC-A isolates are potent and easily “dabbed” or vaporized. Aptly named diamonds, these concentrates can go for around $50 a gram on the low end.

Sauce

(AKA terp sauce, terpene fraction) Is a runny, terpene rich liquid. This is on the other spectrum of the isolate category. When cannabinoid isolates are produced the separated terpenes combine to create this aromatic mixture. Often, THC crystallizes in the liquid mixture, leaving gem-like structures in a pool of fruity terpenes.

Ginja Club
Previous

The Craft of Cannabis Photography
Next

Beginners Guide to Cannabis: Glossary of Terms