Potent and fast-acting dabs deserve their moment in the spotlight. And with so many varieties and styles on the menu to try, dabs (or more accurately “concentrates” or “extracts”) offer a whole new cannabis world to explore. Before your next (or first) dab, take a moment to learn about what concentrates are, what’s available, what you’ll need to consume them, and how to know if this super-potent product is right for you.
What are concentrates in cannabis?
Concentrates are cannabis products that contain a higher percentage of cannabinoids, typically THC, than flower. Some concentrates may also contain heightened levels of minor cannabinoids and terpenes, the aromatic plant compounds that give each strain its unique flavor and smell.
The term “concentrate” is quite broad. There are many varieties of these products — each one looks, feels, and is used differently. But what doesn’t change is that you can expect a significantly elevated experience after consuming concentrates (also called “dabbing”).
What are cannabis extracts?
In short: all extracts are concentrates, but not all concentrates are extracts.
Cannabis extracts are a specific type of concentrate made by pulling compounds like cannabinoids and terpenes out of the plant material through a variety of methods. Extracts are the oils and waxes you’ll find on dispensary shelves and are distinct from non-extract concentrates like hash. Extracts tend to be the most potent form of cannabis concentrates on the market.
How do you consume cannabis concentrates?
You have several ways to enjoy your concentrates once you bring them home from the dispensary.
- Add concentrates to your flower for a more potent sesh.
- Use a dab rig to heat and enjoy your concentrates.
- Try a dual-use portable vaporizer like the PAX Plus.
- Use an electronic dabbing device like the Dipper.
What types of concentrates are there?
While the list below isn’t exhaustive, and you’ll find new and innovative processes pop up pretty frequently, you can expect to see these household names in many dispensaries in and around Yonkers, like The Plant.
Budder
Budder is a type of wax extract; waxes are solid cannabis concentrates with various textures and consistencies. Sometimes also called batter or badder, budder is smooth and creamy, not that different from the dairy equivalent you might find at the breakfast table.
Budder is made through a solvent-based extraction process such as hydrocarbon extraction and is considered a type of butane hash oil (BHO) — more on that later. The BHO is whipped at the end of the manufacturing process to achieve the budder’s consistency.
Like other varieties of cannabis wax, budder is highly potent, often eclipsing 90% THC content. You’ll need a dab rig or a wax-compatible electronic vaporizer to consume budder on its own. You can also add it to your bowl or a joint to boost the flower’s potency.
Crumble
Crumble is another type of wax extract which, as the name suggests, is dry and crumbly. This extract often appears like a clump of slightly moist sand, which breaks into smaller pieces easily with just a bit of pressure from a dab tool or dabber.
Crumble is also made through solvent-based extraction, typically hydrocarbon extraction. Like budder, it’s also a type of BHO. In this case, the BHO is agitated slightly, then placed in a vacuum oven at a low temperature, to achieve the crumble’s notable consistency.
This concentrate is also highly potent, often surpassing 90% THC content. And, like budder, crumble can be consumed with a dab rig, a compatible vaporizer, or added to flower. Thanks to its crumbly consistency, it’s especially easy to add to bowls or joints without making a mess.
Hash
Hash has the honor of being one of the world’s oldest concentrates — the first documented mentions of it are close to 900 years old!
And to make hash, cannabis lovers of old didn’t make BHO or have any advanced equipment; they did the hard work themselves. That tradition still stands today. Manufacturers still use dry sifting techniques to separate cannabinoid-rich resin glands called trichomes from flower. The resulting fine, dust-like material is then pressed and heated to create solid bricks of hash. Hash can be blonde, brown, or even black. There’s also a variety of hash called “bubble hash” that uses near-freezing water to collect trichomes — more on that later in this guide.
Generally, hash is more potent than cannabis flower but less potent than extracts, ranging from 30% to 60% THC content. It’s often consumed by smoking in a bubbler, bowl, bong, or pipe, and it can be added to flower to increase the overall potency.
Live Resin
Live resin is a fan favorite because all the flavors from the terpenes in a particular strain come shining through.
Live resin is an oil made from freshly harvested or fresh frozen cannabis, which means it preserves peak levels of terpenes that are normally lost while cannabis buds are dried and cured. The result is a sticky, resinous oil that’s packed with the same scents and flavors as the parent strain.
The concentrate itself is quite versatile. You’ll find it in a vape cart, but you’ll also find it turned into other products, like the Honey Banana Live Resin Badder from MFNY on our menu. Like other concentrates, live resin is highly potent and can easily surpass 90% THC content.
Rosin
Rosin is a solid extract produced through a solventless process involving heat and pressure. Unlike BHO, rosin does not rely on solvent-based extraction methods like hydrocarbon or ethanol extraction. Instead, the collected trichomes are pressed into bricks (hash) and then placed into a rosin press. The press uses heated plates to squeeze a flavorful and potent oil from the bricks of hash. When the hash is made from fresh or fresh frozen cannabis, it’s called live rosin.
Rosin is more potent than hash but tends to pack less of a punch than solvent-based extracts. Expect a range of 60% to 80% THC content in most varieties of rosin you’ll encounter. Rosin can be consumed in a vape cartridge or oil-compatible vaporizer.
Sauce
Sauce is a liquid extract produced using solvent-based extraction methods, typically hydrocarbon extraction. During the production process, manufacturers encourage the development of THCA diamonds, which are solid, crystalline structures of pure THCA. This is how THC exists in cannabis before it’s heated. Once you spark up, THC converts from its acidic into its active form; in other words, it loses the “A.”
As the cannabinoids crystallize and the diamonds form, they separate from a surrounding sauce that’s packed with flavorful terpenes. Some sauce is sold with the diamonds still in it, and some sauce products have the diamonds filtered out.
Sauce tends to be the least potent of the solvent-based extracts, hovering around 60% THC content. That’s because sauce manufacturers tend to prioritize the preservation of terpenes and their flavors over the highest possible potency. However, when THCA diamonds are present, sauce packs quite a punch. When vaporized on a dab rig or in an electronic vape, those diamonds instantly convert to pure THC, so take this one easy, as the sauce can still deliver a potent high.
Shatter
Shatter is a solid, glass-like variety of extract that can be broken, or shattered, into small shards. Shatter is popular because it’s easy to handle without much mess or cleanup. Like budder and crumble, shatter is made through solvent-based extraction methods like hydrocarbon extraction and is a type of BHO. The difference in its structure is that during post-processing, the liquid shatter is poured thin on a sheet and allowed to harden.
Like the other varieties of BHO, shatter is highly potent and often contains more than 90% THC content. It can be consumed in a dab rig or a concentrate-compatible vaporizer. It could be added to flower as well, though it may be less suitable for this purpose than other extracts like crumble or live resin.
How are THC concentrates made?
Most concentrates fall into two major categories: those extracted from the plant by placing cannabis buds in a solvent, and some using a manual process. Products made from BHO like budder and crumble are considered extracts. Hash and live resin are made with a manual process.
When it comes to extraction, the basic process of placing flower in solvent is the same, but there are a variety of solvents used. The two main categories are hydrocarbon extraction and CO2 extraction. Hydrocarbon extraction uses a solvent like butane or ethanol, while CO2 extraction uses carbon dioxide. How the resulting extract is treated makes a big difference in the final product, too. For example, we illustrated here that BHO products are all made with the same hydrocarbon extract, but how the extract is treated results in a different kind of product.
Many manual processes use a combination of heat and pressure to make concentrates, which you’ll learn a bit about in the hash section of this guide. However, there are other ways of collecting trichomes, notably ice water extraction. This involves submerging plants in near-freezing water to make the trichomes so brittle that they effectively fall off. The water-trichome mixture is then strained through a series of increasingly fine mesh screens. The trichomes left behind are then collected, pressed into bricks, and dried.
Tips for buying cannabis concentrates
When buying cannabis concentrates, there are a few things you should keep in mind. These tips will help ensure you choose a quality product and that you’ll get the most out of it once you bring it home.
Shop at a licensed cannabis dispensary
Licensed cannabis dispensaries are required by law to carry tested cannabis products, including THC extracts. You can rest assured the products you’re buying from a licensed dispensary are legitimate and do not contain anything they’re not supposed to by law.
When it comes to concentrates in particular, it’s important to know that you can trust the manufacturing process behind the final product. Licensed dispensaries only carry concentrates and extracts that are free of contaminants and residual solvents that could be present in untested concentrates found from unlicensed sellers. Dispensaries like The Plant can produce verified test results so you know exactly what’s in the product you’re buying.
Know the brand you’re choosing
Every manufacturer has their approach to creating concentrates — that’s part of why there’s such a vibrant selection on the market. Of course, that means you may like some brands better than others.
Do your homework or ask a budtender about the brands on the shelf and what you can expect from each one. If you’re not sure what is best for you, let a budtender know about your goals and the options you’re considering. They can help point you in the right direction, especially if you’re new to cannabis concentrates.
Consider your consumption method
The type of concentrate or extract you choose is influenced by how you like to smoke. Think about what best suits your style of session and how easy it would be to handle when making a buying decision.
- If you plan to add your concentrate to a bowl or bong, you may prefer to choose an easy-to-handle extract like crumble.
- If you enjoy the mobility and discretion of a vape pen and cartridge, you may select live resin or sauce that comes conveniently packaged in a vape cart.
- If you prefer using a dab rig, you might choose to experiment with all sorts of concentrates.
Store your concentrates properly
Once you’ve selected your concentrate and brought it home, make sure to store it properly to preserve potency and flavor. Proper storage means your concentrate will have a longer shelf life and you can count on the same quality experience each time you break it out.
Cannabis concentrates should be kept in an airtight container in a cool, dark, dry place. This is because oxygen, ultraviolet light, and heat can all degrade the compounds in cannabis, and over time destroy the quality of your concentrate.
Don’t be afraid to branch out
There are many different varieties of cannabis concentrates to try, each of which comes with its advantages. Don’t be afraid to try new concentrates and consumption methods to mix things up now and then. You may find a new favorite you weren’t expecting, and that’s part of the fun of your cannabis journey.
Concentrate brands available at The Plant
From home-grown favorites to brands with a following in multiple states, you’ll find a nice assortment of concentrates to shop at The Plant. Some of your options include:
Explore high-quality THC concentrates at The Plant in Yonkers
From the Bronx to northern Westchester and everything in between, The Plant is your source for all things concentrates and other cannabis products. Whether you’re new to cannabis or a longtime consumer, we’re helpful, friendly, and a part of the Yonkers community. Find us right on the border of Scarsdale on Central Park Avenue, right across from the Yonkers Gateway Center.
