What are Concentrates
What Are Concentrates? The Potent World of Cannabis Extracts
For those looking for a more powerful and efficient cannabis experience, **concentrates** are the answer. Also known as extracts, these products are created by processing the cannabis plant to isolate and collect its most desirable compounds: cannabinoids and terpenes. The result is a highly potent substance that is significantly stronger than traditional cannabis flower. Whether you're a medical patient seeking targeted relief or a recreational user looking for a new experience, understanding concentrates is a key step into the next level of cannabis consumption.
Understanding Concentrates: The Basics
The term "concentrate" is a broad category that refers to any product that has had excess plant matter stripped away, leaving behind a concentrated mass of cannabinoids and terpenes. These compounds are found in the plant's trichomes, the tiny, crystal-like glands that coat the surface of cannabis flowers. Concentrates are a way of harvesting and refining these compounds to create a product that can contain anywhere from 50% to over 90% THC, compared to the 15-25% THC typically found in high-grade flower.
How Are Concentrates Made?
Concentrates are generally created through two main methods: **solvent-based extraction** and **solventless extraction**. This key difference in production is what separates many of the concentrate types you'll find on the market.
-
Solvent-Based Extraction
This method uses a chemical solvent—such as butane, propane, CO2, or ethanol—to "wash" the plant material and pull the cannabinoids and terpenes from the trichomes. The solvent is then carefully purged, leaving a pure and potent product. Concentrates made this way include:
- **Shatter**: A brittle, glass-like concentrate that gets its name because it "shatters" when handled.
- **Wax / Budder**: A soft, waxy substance with a creamy, spreadable consistency.
- **Live Resin**: Made from fresh, flash-frozen cannabis plants to preserve the most terpenes, resulting in a highly flavorful product.
- **Distillate**: A highly refined, pure oil that can contain nearly 100% THC or CBD, with most other compounds stripped away.
-
Solventless Extraction
As the name implies, this method uses no chemicals. Instead, it relies on physical processes like heat, pressure, or agitation to separate the trichomes from the plant. This method is often preferred by those who want to avoid any potential solvent residue. Common solventless concentrates include:
- **Rosin**: Made by applying heat and pressure to flower or hash, squeezing out a golden, sap-like substance.
- **Hash**: One of the oldest forms of concentrate, made by pressing kief (the powdery trichomes) into a solid block.
- **Kief**: The simplest concentrate, consisting of the loose, powdery trichomes that fall off the plant.
How to Use Concentrates
The most popular method of consuming concentrates is **dabbing**, which involves using a dab rig (a type of water pipe) to heat a small amount of concentrate on a hot surface (a "nail") and inhale the vapor. Other methods include using portable concentrate vaporizers (dab pens), adding them to a joint or bowl, or using them as a base for edibles or topicals.
Final Thoughts...
Cannabis concentrates offer a powerful and versatile way to experience the plant. With a wide variety of textures, potencies, and flavors, they provide a tailored experience for every user. Whether you prefer the purity of a solventless rosin or the potency of a live resin, the world of concentrates is a rich and exciting frontier in cannabis consumption.
