As the cannabis industry continues to grow, so does the variety of products available on the market. With this growth has come so much innovation, from how we grow cannabis to what we can do with it. Live resin is an incredible example of this, being an extremely potent and pure cannabis product. In this blog post, we’ll explore what live resin is, how it’s produced, how it can be used, and the different types of live resin you can find.
What is Live Resin?
To explain what live resin is, we’ll first explain what it’s not. Most concentrates are made with dried and/or cured, cannabis flower. Live resin, however, is made with fresh cannabis that’s been frozen immediately after harvest. This may seem strange at first glance – after all, most cannabis products we consume come from dried flower – but using fresh cannabis in concentrates can have a few perks. We’ll dive into those later.
Using fresh flower makes helps preserve the cultivar’s traits through the extraction process. The fresh flower contains more terpenes and cannabinoids than dried flower, which means the resulting live resin will as well. This retains the cultivar’s unique flavors and smells better than if the cannabis had been dried before extraction.
How is Live Resin Made?
There are a few ways to produce live resin, most of which fall under the umbrella of “closed-loop extraction.” These processes include using a solvent, commonly butane, to extract the cannabinoids and terpenes from the fresh-frozen plant. Once the cannabinoids and terpenes have been extracted, the solvent is evaporated away, leaving behind a gorgeous, ultra-concentrated product.
This process has a lot of variables involved that can be adjusted to affect the end result. Small changes can completely alter the THC percentage, aroma, flavor, and even consistency of the resulting live resin. It’s a true combination of art and science with so much room for experimentation and innovation.
What’s the Difference Between Live Resin and Other Concentrates?
The biggest difference between live resin and other concentrates is that live resin is made with fresh-frozen cannabis. Most other concentrates are made with cannabis that’s been dried and cured, which means fewer terpenes in the final product.
Some concentrates are also made with solvents, produced using water, heat, or pressure to remove the cannabinoids from the plant. These solventless concentrates can also be live if made from fresh cannabis, but most use dried cannabis as well.
Traits of Live Resin
One of the most unique traits of live resin is its enhanced flavor profile. When you dry or cure cannabis, it tends to lose a lot of flavor and aroma in the process. Fresh cannabis contains more terpenes and holds onto all those nice flavors and smells. This makes for a tastier and better-smelling concentrate in the end.
Live resin is also incredibly potent. Depending on the consistency of your live resin, how it was produced, what cultivar it was made from, and more, they can range anywhere from 60-95% THC. They’re well-suited for frequent cannabis users for their potency. They can also produce a longer-lasting high than other cannabis products because of their potency.
How to Use Live Resin
There are a few ways to enjoy live resin, depending on your preference. Here are a few:
Using a Dab Rig
If you’re familiar with taking dabs and using a rig, this one is a good go-to. You can use your live resin just like you would any other concentrate, but pay attention! Some live resin products can be more potent than other concentrates.
Added to Your Flower
Some live resin consistencies can be added to your favorite flower for a little something extra. Add them to a bowl or on your next pre-roll to enhance your experience. Take it slow if it’s your first time, live resin can sneak up on you!
In Vapor Products
Cartridges, disposable vapes, and other vaporizers are a great way to use live resin without worrying about the upkeep of a dab rig. Disposable devices are especially convenient and can be a good place to start if you’ve never tried live resin before.
In Edibles
If you like to make your own edibles at home, you may have added distillate or another kind of concentrate to your recipes before. You can do the same with live resin for a potentially more potent end result.
Conclusion
We love live resin, and so do a lot of cannabis enjoyers out there. Its flavorful, potent, and aromatic nature makes it a favorite for many. Between its variety of cultivars and versatility, it’s a great product for those more experienced with cannabis.
If you want to learn more about live resin, you can ask us on our contact page or speak with your nearest Dreamz budtender. We’re happy to answer any questions you may have. Shop our live resin products and see what else we have in our inventory. Interested in learning more about cannabis? Check out our other posts.
