Besides resin, rosin, and RSO, there are at least three more categories of concentrates we will be covering.

OIL [C02/Distillate Oil/Butane Oil] - Depending on how it’s extracted will let you know what kind of oil this would be. Distillate oil is commonly found in vape cartridges, while C02 oils are the preferred method for brands like Apothecare, Giggle Stix, and Dose Extracts.

KIEF - As the cannabis plant matures, its buds develop resinous glands called trichomes, which contain THC, CBD, terpenes, and other compounds that contribute to cannabis’ psychoactive effect and healing properties. Trichomes look like tiny crystals – think finely-milled sugar or salt. When these trichomes dry and break off of the plant, they become kief. Kief, because it has oxidized and loses freshness when separated from the plant buds, usually has a darker color than trichomes, ranging from light gold to brown. It has a powdery appearance and a texture that is somewhat sticky, though less so than trichomes on a bud. Sometimes it gets spelled like “keef,” but kief is the correct name. It can be added to vape chambers, bowls, or joints for an added kick when your bud is lacking. It can also be pressed into hash if you have enough kief in your grinder.

HASH [ICE or BUBBLE / ROSIN / DRY SIFT / TEMPLE BALL] - is made by separating these trichomes from cannabis buds and trim, and concentrating them into a potent extract. You already know how ROSIN is made, but what about Ice Water or Bubble Hash?

Well, Ice Water Hash or Bubble Hash, is made by mixing frozen cannabis buds with water and ice, agitating that mixture to help separate the trichomes from the plant material, and finally running the water through different size mesh sieves. The result is a crumbly hash with a consistency similar to crystallized honey that is then pressed into a rosin.

Dry sift hash is made by gently sieving dried cannabis buds and trim through fine-mesh screens. This gentle friction helps separate the trichomes into a fine powder known as kief. This kief is then pressed into blocks, using different techniques depending on the area of production.

A Temple Ball is made by rubbing live cannabis buds between the hands for hours. Eventually, the trichomes from the plant form a thick, dark resin that is scraped together into balls or sticks with a creamy texture, similar to chocolate truffles.

Now that you have a good understanding on WHAT a concentrate is, let’s dive into HOW we consume concentrates.

Just like how there’s a difference on how it’s all made, it also matters how concentrates are consumed.

TEMPERATURE: Temperature is the biggest factor in getting a good dab that doesn’t kill your lungs. When a dab is too hot, the vapor can burn your lungs. On the other hand, when it’s too cold, you don’t get the full effects of the plant.

Different dab temperatures will produce different flavors, even from the same extract. In addition, each extract will have its own “sweet spot” temperature that brings out the most well-rounded effect and flavor combination. Therefore, as you try different strains and types of concentrates, we recommend experimenting with various dabbing temperatures to find which temperature range works best for a particular strain or consistency of extract. ONe of the main reasons you’ll want to find the right temperature for your dabs is because of the terpenes. They are the more fragile and volatile compounds in cannabis extracts, as they typically evaporate at lower temperatures than cannabinoids such as THC and CBD.

DELIVERY: Another important thing to keep in mind when selling dabs, or even buying for yourself, is how you will be consuming your dabs. Will you be using it to infuse your blunts or joints? Do you use a Puffco/Dr. Dabber/e-rig? Do you have a Nectar Collector (the straw you heat up with a torch) or Seahorse (the e-nail version of a nectar collector)? Are you using a glass rig? If you’re using a glass rig, what kind of banger are you using?

Different delivery methods will require different temperatures and it can also determine what kind of consistency you or a customer would want in their wax.
Keep in mind that everyone has their own preference when it comes to the dabs’ consistency, but here’s the most common ones for each and why:

• Puffco / Dr. Dabber / E-Rigs

  • Consistency: Shatter, Diamonds, Batter, Sauce

  • Notes: Using a Puffco or other e-rigs are super easy and beneficial. You can use just about any consistency because your cup will keep sauce in one spot, it’ll evenly heat the diamonds, and shatter is so pliable that it’s easy to snap off a piece and stick in the cup.

    • Few clicks to turn it on and let it heat up, once the Puffco vibrates (or the Dr. Dabber turns green), you are good to take a hit.

    • You’ll want to get familiar with the different heat ranges for the different terpenes in it, so you are burning them at the proper range but TYPICALLY Blue (Low, 450*F) and Green (Medium, 500*F) are where you want to be

    • Although user-friendly, e-rigs are typically a costly investment, and only serious dabbers want to spend the $400+ price tag on an e-rig

• Nectar Collector / Seahorse

  • Consistency: Shatter, Budder, Crumble

  • Notes: Saucier concentrates get “sucked up” really fast when using a nectar collector. Using something that is more pliable and easy to handle is ideal for these delivery methods

• Rigs with bangers

  • Glass

  • Ceramic

  • Quartz

  • Metal

    • Consistency: Preference at this point

    • Notes: Just don’t heat your banger (sometimes called a nail) too hot to burn your product too high. Doing a “cold start” where you drop your dabs in first and then slowly heat it to temp is the recommended way to start when first trying this method

• Infusions

  • Consistency: Sauce, Batter, Budder

  • Notes: A little goes a long way with infusions, especially when considering trying to burn through “globs” of wax in a blunt or joint.

Concentrates are literally a science, so don’t be afraid to experiment and find which method for consuming works best for you (or your customers), and which consistencies are preferred for your dabbing method. Now that you have been able to break this down into smaller bites, hopefully it’s not as confusing to you.

This means that lower-temperature dabs will preserve more terpenes in the vapor produced, while the higher the temperature you dab at, the more terpenes are destroyed, and the flavor becomes impaired. Not only does it affect the enjoyment of your dab, but too much heat can also create harmful by-products in the vapor you inhale.

For example, the most common terpene in cannabis - Myrcene - which has an earthy, musky aroma. The boiling point of Myrcene is 334*F, so it will begin to evaporate at this temperature. Dab temperatures can range between 400-600*F, meaning that Myrcene is sometimes vaporized at nearly twice the required temperature. When this happens, it degrades and creates Benzene, a toxic compound we want to avoid inhaling if we can.
Therefore, we must be aware of our dabbing temperatures to ensure we are not overheating our delicate terpenes, burning our lungs, and creating unwanted by-products in our vapor.