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When it comes to cannabis concentrates, there are seemingly an infinite number of choices. Dabbers have a variety of products from which to choose, including shatter and rosin. Live resin extract is one of the most popular varieties on the market. It’s available in dab form as well as vape cartridges or pens for both casual cannabis users and medical marijuana patients who want something simple. But what exactly is live resin and how does it differ from other types of dabs? This Green Flower article will answer all of your queries!
A Brief Breakdown
After harvesting, the raw plant material is dried and cured for most varieties of cannabis flower and concentrates. This removes water from the buds while also perfecting them for consumption. Fresh cannabis turns into live resin when frozen. The term “live” is used to distinguish it from other types of cannabis extracts because it is created using fresh, unfrozen cannabis instead of dry leaves or stems. It can be produced via a wide range of extraction techniques, although one particular method (more on that later) is preferred.
The objective of live resin is to keep more of the terpenes within, which are the chemical compounds responsible for cannabis’ distinctive fragrance and some of its effects. While not all of the terpene profile or content is lost during curing, there is some natural evaporation. These products generally have the greatest terpine proportion out of any cannabis extract, especially essential for medical marijuana patients seeking to obtain a complete spectrum of benefits.
Who Invented Live Resin?
William “Kind Bill” Fenger and extraction expert Jason “Giddy Up” Emo, both from Colorado’s cannabis industry pioneers, are credited with the invention of resin. Fresh frozen plant material was used to make butane hash oil by Fenger in 2013 knowing that terpene levels were greater in raw bud. While his first attempt was somewhat productive, Fenger recognized it would not be sustainable in the current market.
Fenger was brought in as a consultant to Emo’s extractor business that year. The pair collaborated to develop a unique closed-loop butane hash oil extraction apparatus that could operate at low temperatures, which had previously been unattainable. This made processing the flash-frozen plant material much easier and resulted in a superior end product that included lots of terpenes and appealed to consumers. It didn’t take long for real resin to establish itself on the scene.
How Is Live Resin Made?
The OBE Extractor was used by the original creators of live resin. Cannabis plant material is flash-frozen as it is being harvested in this method. It’s then placed in tubes in the closed-loop system, where butane is pressured to extreme levels and cooled. The butane liquid passes over the plant material, removing cannabinoids and terpenes from it. This solution is then refined further in a separate chamber of the machine to remove plant waxes and fats before being sent out. Finally, the residual solvent is removed in a vacuum chamber, at which time heat is used to burn off butane gas; however, it is done in such a manner as to not damage the concentrate’s integrity owing to the pressure of the vacuum. The end product is a deliciously terpy substance with a high THC content that may be used in vape carts or dabbing.
The final product of live resin is actually more expensive than that produced from dry cannabis. Live resin can also be made by means of hydrocarbon and rosin presses. The completed concentrate is regarded to be alive resin as long as the cannabis plant has not been dried and cured.
What’s The Consistency Of Live Resin?
There are several consistencies on the market because live resin extract may be produced in a variety of ways. This cannabis concentrate might look like thick sap-like liquid, “budder,” sticky batter, sauce, or crumble. The viscosity of the substance can also be affected by any post-processing activities performed, such as aeration or “whipping,” resulting in dabs that are lighter and fluffier.
What Are The Benefits Of Flash-Frozen Cannabis?
Cannabis plants with peak terpene levels, as previously stated, produce live resin. According to a 1995 study done at the University of Mississippi, just seven days of air-drying cannabis at room temperature can result in a 31 percent loss in terpenes. Researchers also discovered that monoterpenes and sesquiterpenes have equivalent amounts of molecules based on their individual molecule content. Both types of terpenes were reduced overall, but the sesquiterpenes evaporated at a slightly slower rate owing to their larger molecular size.
Myrcene, terpinolene, limonene, and linalool are some of the most well-known cannabis monoterpenes. Betaphenylacendrene and humulene are two prevalent sesquiterpenes in cannabis. Due to the prevention of terpene degradation, live resin has a stronger flavor profile than other cannabis oils or concentrates.
The higher terpene levels in live resin may also indicate well for the overall effects supplied, in addition to its rich aroma and taste. Terpenes have an impact on how a cannabis strain makes a user feel by way of the entourage effect. This is the idea that all plant parts contribute to the end results achieved through ingestion, as evidenced by a 2011 study published in the British Journal of Pharmacology.
How To Consume Live Resin
There are numerous methods to use cannabis concentrates such as live resin. In legal markets, pre-filled vape pens and cartridges containing liquid live resin are very popular. The extract can also be consumed using a dab rig, which is a device that looks like a water pipe. The nail is heated to extremely high temperatures, usually with a butane blow torch or an electric heat source. A tiny dab of concentrate is scooped into the nail using a specialized tool, immediately transforming into vapor and being breathed through a mouthpiece. Using a cotton swab, residual oil is then cleaned away.
A nectar collector, for example, is another popular dabbing tool. These are elaborate staves with one end heated. The heated end lightly touches live resin in the container while the user breathes into the other end. Nectar collectors are slightly less difficult to use than bigger rigs but must be cleaned on a regular basis to avoid clogging inside.
Live Resin — A Terpy Experience
Live resin extracts, which are fragrant and flavorful, are some of the most sought-after concentrates available in the cannabis world. Flash-frozen cannabis plants harvested just hours before are rich in terpenes and have a top shelf price tag — for good reason. The terpene content of cannabis has always been a topic of interest, but recent lab research offers new insight. Terpenes are volatile chemicals that work together to give the plant its unique flavor and aroma. They not only contribute greatly to the overall sense experience of cannabis, both for adult-use consumers and medical marijuana patients, but they also have the potential to influence how the plant affects its users. As a result, live resin will continue to be a popular product for years to come.
