Welcome to the world of hemp extracts: a world where you’ll hear terms like resin and rosin, shatter and kief. But what do these all mean? How are they made, and how do you choose the one that’s right for you? Come settle in for our detailed guide on the world of hemp extracts and how to enjoy the perfect extract experience.
Dabs are a highly-popular way to consume hemp extracts. They’re vaporized and inhaled using either a vaporizer or what’s called a dab rig.
There are several different types of dabs available, ranging from shatter, a glass-like concentrate that, true to its name, shatters easily, to wax, a softer and more shapeable form also called “budder”. You’ll also see live resin dabs, which are made from flash-frozen cannabis plants to better preserve the flavors and terpenes.
Dabs are usually made using solvents like CO2, butane or propane. Raw plant material is soaked in the solvent, which then extracts the cannabinoids and terpenes. A solventless concentrate, called rosin, is an alternative to the traditional process, and uses heat and pressure as part of its extraction process.
Using heat and vacuum pressure, the solvent is then purged from the remaining residue, which creates a pure concentrate.
The most common way to consume dabs is through a dab rig. A dab rig is similar to a water pipe, but made specifically for concentrates. You operate it by placing a small amount of dab on the nail (heated surface) and inhaling through the rig.
You can also use a vaporizer, which is a more discreet and portable way to inhale concentrates.
Dabs are incredibly popular owing to their high potency and fast action. Because they’re made using the full spectrum of the cannabis plant, they retain more of the plant’s natural profile and effects.
Before buying dabs, keep in mind that special equipment is needed to consume them. If you haven’t used a dab rig before, the high potency can be overwhelming, especially for first-timers. It’s also important to note that because of the wide differences in dab production methods, quality may vary from batch to batch unless you source your dabs from a trusted supplier.
Distillates are designed for those cannabis aficionados who want pure cannabinoids. They often contain no other plant compounds in them, including terpenes. Because they’re pure cannabis extract, there aren’t different “types’ ‘ of distillates in the way that there are different types of dabs. Instead, you have THC distillate, used for its psychoactive effects, and CBD distillate, designed for therapeutic use, without the high.
Distillates are made by extracting cannabis compounds by using solvents like CO2 or ethanol in order to obtain crude oil. This crude oil is then mixed with ethanol and frozen in order to remove fats and waxes.
The refined oil is then distilled and the cannabinoids are separated from other compounds based on their unique boiling points.
Distillates can be consumed in many different ways, including as vape cartridges, edibles, and topicals, like creams and lotions. They can also be directly inhaled, similar to dabs.
Dabs are ideal for those cannabis connoisseurs who want high potency and purity along with flexible usage. If you’re looking for a hemp extract with consistent cannabinoid content, distillates should be your go-to.
Because distillation removes terpenes, distillates offer a less flavorful experience than dabs or other types of extracts. What’s more, because other cannabinoids are also removed, you may not experience the full entourage effect.
It’s also important to note that quality can be affected depending on how precise the distillation process is, which is why it’s so important to choose a reputable supplier that specializes in hemp extracts that are fully tested and certified.
Concentrates are a broad category of extracts that come in a wide range of forms and consistencies. They’re often chosen because of their high potency and high levels of cannabinoids.
There are several types of concentrates. The first, BHO or Butane Hash Oil, is a type of concentrate that is extracted using butane. This includes shatter, wax and live resin hemp extracts. You’ll also see CO2 oil concentrates, which are typically used in vape cartridges. Like with dabs, you’ll also find rosin varieties and last but not least, kief, which are the powdered resin glands from the cannabis plant. Kief is typically used to make hash.
There are two ways to make hemp extract concentrates. The first method is similar to dabs in that solvents are used to extract the terpenes and cannabinoids from the raw plant material. The second method involves solventless extraction, like rosin pressing or dry sieving.
Like distillates, concentrates are flexible in their consumption. You can use a dab rig or vaporizer, or use vape pens designed for concentrates. Similarly, concentrates can also be found in edibles and topicals.
Compared to hemp flower, concentrates offer a higher cannabinoid compound. You can also find concentrates tailored to specific profiles like THC, CBD and so on. The potency can be intense and the onset of effects happens quickly compared to other types of hemp extract.
As with the other types of hemp extracts we’ve covered in our guide, quality and safety should be a priority when choosing a hemp extract. To learn more or buy online, visit Industrial Hemp Farms and let our hemp extract experts guide you toward making the best choice for your unique needs and goals.
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