Cannabis concentrates have become increasingly popular in recent years, with a wide variety of products now available on the market. One of the most sought-after types of concentrates is live resin. This premium product is known for its intense flavor and aroma, as well as it’s high THC and CBD content. In this blog post, we’ll take a closer look at what live resin is, how it’s made, and why it’s so highly prized by cannabis connoisseurs.
What is Live Resin?
Live resin is a type of cannabis concentrate that is made using freshly harvested, flash-frozen cannabis flowers. The process of making live resin involves freezing the buds immediately after harvest before they have a chance to dry out. This allows the concentrate to retain more of the terpenes, the compounds responsible for the unique flavor and aroma of each strain, than traditional concentrates made from dried cannabis.
The buds are then typically put through a process called butane or hydrocarbon extraction, which uses a solvent (usually butane or propane) to strip the THC, CBD, and other cannabinoids and terpenes from the plant material. The resulting product is a highly concentrated, flavorful, and aromatic form of cannabis that can be used in a variety of ways.
Why is Live Resin so Special?
One of the main reasons why live resin is so highly prized is that it retains a much higher concentration of terpenes than other types of concentrates. Terpenes are the compounds that give each strain of cannabis its unique aroma and flavor, and they also play a role in the therapeutic effects of the plant. By freezing the buds immediately after harvest, live resin is able to preserve a greater number of terpenes than other concentrates, which results in a more flavorful and aromatic product.
Another reason why live resin is so special is that it typically has a higher THC and CBD content than other concentrates. This is because the extraction process used to make live resin is able to effectively remove these compounds from the plant material.
How is Live Resin Made?
The process of creating live resin typically involves several key steps:
- Freshly harvested cannabis buds are immediately flash-frozen. This can be done by placing the buds in a freezer or using liquid nitrogen. Flash-freezing is to preserve as many terpenes and other volatile compounds as possible, as these compounds can degrade or evaporate over time.
- Next, the frozen buds are placed in a closed-loop extraction machine, which is used to extract the desired compounds from the plant material. The most common solvents used for this process are butane and propane. The closed-loop system allows for safe and efficient extraction.
- The extracted material is then purged to remove any remaining solvent. This is typically done using a vacuum oven, which removes the solvent through evaporation.
- After purging, the final product is a highly concentrated, flavorful, and aromatic form of cannabis. This can be used to make a variety of products such as vape cartridges, edibles, and waxes.
- Finally, the live resin is packaged and labeled.
It’s worth noting that the process can vary depending on the equipment and techniques used by the manufacturer. Some manufacturers use cryogenic ethanol extraction, which involves using ethanol that has been cooled to very low temperatures (-100°F) to extract the terpenes and cannabinoids. Additionally, some manufacturers use a process called “live rosin” which is a variation of the live resin process, but it uses heat and pressure to create a rosin product that is considered to have a similar terpene profile to the live resin.
Consuming Live Resin
Live resin can be consumed in a variety of forms, including as an ingredient in edibles, as a dab, or used to make vape cartridges. Vaporization is considered the best way to consume live resin as it preserves flavor and aroma. It is typically consumed with a rig or a vaporizer specifically designed for concentrates.
In conclusion, live resin is a premium product that is highly sought after by cannabis connoisseurs and people who prioritize aroma and flavor over pure THC or CBD content. Its unique production process preserves more of the terpenes present in the cannabis plant, which results in a more flavorful and aromatic product. If you’re looking for an intense and unique cannabis experience, live resin is definitely worth trying.
Please remember that the information provided in this post is for educational and informational purposes only, and is not intended as medical advice. It’s always best to consult with a healthcare professional before consuming any cannabis products, especially if you have any underlying health conditions.