There is a whole world of things to learn when it comes to cannabis concentrates! From shatter and wax, to live resin and rosin, there is no end to the products that can be explored. Throughout this guide, we will give you all the info you need to build a strong foundation in understanding the different types of concentrates. Wondering where to buy cannabis concentrates online? Check out the links we’ve provided to shop some of our favourite products.
Whether you’re brand new to concentrates or if you’re a seasoned expert, there’s something for everyone to learn in this article!
What are cannabis concentrates?
Cannabis concentrates are sought after since they are more potent and more flavourful than regular cannabis bud. There are many types of concentrates, each one with a different potency level, extraction process, and way to be experienced.
How are concentrates consumed?
Concentrates can be experienced through many different methods. Vape pens are one of the most popular ways to consume concentrates and also create a milder high.
If you are looking for a more intense high, a dab rig will be a better method of consumption for you. Dabbing is a process that involves heating a concentrate to produce vapour. The vapour can then be inhaled through a dab rig. By varying the temperature at which you dab (300F – 500°F) you can optimize which cannabis terpenes are vaporized, hence enhancing your flavour experience.
Wax can be dabbed directly, much in the same way as shatter and other concentrates. You may also wrap it around a joint or use it with an electronic dab pen. Diamond-infused pre-rolls are now available at our Vancouver Island cannabis stores which contain pure THC crystals that are crushed and rolled in along with flower. Concentrates are also the foundation in the production of most edibles, topicals, and tinctures, so you may have experienced the benefits of cannabis concentrates without even realising it!
What is shatter?
True to its name, shatter is a glass-like concentrate that can shatter into many pieces. Like RAD’s Pink Kush Shatter, it is usually clear or amber in colour, with a smooth and solid texture. It can also sometimes be a bit sticky–almost like hardened tree sap! Shatter is very popular, likely because it is one of the purest forms of concentrate, which means it has the best price-to-potency ratio. It is quite easy to find since most brands that make concentrates will carry shatter.
What is wax?
Wax is one of the stickiest types of concentrate and is typically a yellowish-brown in colour. Due to its texture, it is best handled with a dab tool. Its low potency level makes it more accessible for occasional consumers, especially in comparison to shatter, which has a much higher potency level.
Wax is great for preserving terpene profiles, which means the taste is more defined than what you would usually find from a concentrate. Broken Coast Cannabis’s Muskmelon OG Wax is a great example of this and has a pleasant melon and citrus profile.
What is wax?
Wax is one of the stickiest types of concentrate and is typically a yellowish-brown in colour. Due to its texture, it is best handled with a dab tool. Its low potency level makes it more accessible for occasional consumers, especially in comparison to shatter, which has a much higher potency level.
Wax is great for preserving terpene profiles, which means the taste is more defined than what you would usually find from a concentrate. Broken Coast Cannabis’s Muskmelon Wax is a great example of this and has a pleasant melon and citrus profile.
What is live resin?
Live resin may be the most unique form of concentrate. It appears in many different forms, sometimes looking solid and similar to shatter and other times looking much more viscous.
The process of producing live resin is different from other concentrates as the cannabis plant must be frozen before the extraction process can begin. The material is flash-frozen immediately after harvest and is kept at freezing temperatures during the extraction process. This process allows the terpenes to avoid harmful conditions such as oxidation and light exposure, in turn making the product more flavourful. Because of its preservation, it also has a higher potency level. The combination of these two characteristics make live resin popular among concentrate aficionados.
Live resin can be used to make edibles like San Rafael’s Sour Blueberry Live Resin Gummies. Each gummy contains 2.5mg of THC and is the perfect balance of sweet and sour.
If you’re looking for a classic take on live resin, Purple Hills’ Lemon Pepper Live Resin is an extremely flavourful extract derived from hand-tended, sun-grown flower. Enjoy a mixture of sour and spice with earthy undertones.
What are THC diamonds?
THC diamonds are crystalline fragments that look like…you guessed it, diamonds! THC content in diamond concentrates is usually between 70-95%, which is three times higher than your average cannabis bud.
THC diamonds are made from another concentrate called ‘sauce’, which is glossy and viscous in appearance. The sauce is then put through a process called ‘diamond mining’ where heat and pressure is applied to create its diamond-like appearance.
THC diamonds are typically only recommended for experienced consumers due to their high THC content, like Greybeard’s Live Resin THC Diamonds. These gems will result in a potent high when consumed.
What are THC diamonds?
THC diamonds are crystalline fragments that look like…you guessed it, diamonds! THC content in diamond concentrates is usually between 70-95%, which is three times higher than your average cannabis bud.
THC diamonds are made from another concentrate called ‘sauce’, which is glossy and viscous in appearance. The sauce is then put through a process called ‘diamond mining’ where heat and pressure is applied to create its diamond-like appearance.
THC diamonds are typically only recommended for experienced consumers due to their high THC content, like Greybeard’s Live Resin THC Diamonds. These gems will result in a potent high when consumed.
What is rosin?
Rosin is produced by applying heat and pressure to cannabis in order to extract the oils and produce a form of resin. Solvents are normally used to separate the molecules during the process of refining and distilling. However, in the case of rosin, pressure and heat are used in place of solvents to preserve the terpenes and cannabinoid profile. By not using chemicals, the flavour of the rosin is stronger.
God’s Space Needle Live Rosin from EarthWolf Farms is a unique pick, due to its bright yellow colour and rare terpene profile. Enjoy a blast of citrus followed by secondary notes of fresh tropical fruit.
What is kief?
Kief is produced through one of the oldest known methods to make concentrate. It is created by first shaking cannabis plants against a fine screen to remove the trichomes (fine hair-like particles that grow on cannabis plants). Trichomes contain most of the cannabinoids from the plant and are then crushed into a potent green powder. The powder is collected in grinders, which are used to break the cannabis up into small particles for rolling.
Sapphire Kief from Delta 9 Cannabis is a powerhouse cannabis with very high THC potency and is recommended for experienced cannabis consumers. It’s perfect for topping off any bong or pipe bowl, or rolling onto a joint to increase the THC content.
What is kief?
Kief is produced through one of the oldest known methods to make concentrate. It is created by first shaking cannabis plants against a fine screen to remove the trichomes (fine hair-like particles that grow on cannabis plants). Trichomes contain most of the cannabinoids from the plant and are then crushed into a potent green powder. The powder is collected in grinders, which are used to break the cannabis up into small particles for rolling.
Sapphire Kief from Delta 9 Cannabis is a powerhouse cannabis with very high THC potency and is recommended for experienced cannabis consumers. It’s perfect for topping off any bong or pipe bowl, or rolling onto a joint to increase the THC content.
What is hash?
Hash is one of the oldest concentrates around, originating in East Asia around 4000 BCE. Hash comes from the Arabic word, ‘hashish’ meaning ‘grass’.
There are a few different types of hash, but most traditionally, it has a dark green appearance and usually comes in the form of a brick or ball, like Hiway Hash from Blissco. It is produced similarly to kief, but the collected powder is instead pressed and heated into a mass. Other types of hash include ice water hash and full melt bubble hash, both of which have a more powdery appearance. Jelly hash is a mixture of bubble hash and hash oil.
Still curious about concentrates? There are so many more types to explore like live kief, honeycomb, Rick Simpson oil, dry shift, distillate, and CO2 oil! Visit one of our Vancouver Island locations in Nanaimo or Langford to learn more from our knowledgeable staff. You can also sign up for our newsletter here to make sure you stay up to date on all the latest specials, blog posts, and news!
