The Ultimate Guide to Live Resin Concentrates
So you’ve heard about live resin concentrates and want to learn more about this tasty cannabis extract. Great choice – live resin is one of the most flavorful and aromatic concentrates out there. As an extract connoisseur, live resin is a must-try. But what exactly is live resin and how does it differ from other cannabis concentrates? How do you consume it and what kind of effects can you expect? This is your ultimate guide to everything live resin. By the end of this article, you’ll be a live resin expert ready to dab your way to flavor town. Live resin is made from freshly harvested and flash-frozen cannabis plants to preserve the terpenes. The end result is a concentrate bursting with the aromatic compounds that give cannabis its distinctive flavors and smells. Compared to cured plant material, live resin can have up to 10 times more terpenes – and that means a much more flavorful dabbing experience for you.
What Is Live Resin?
Live resin is a cannabis concentrate produced using fresh-frozen plant material, rather than cured buds. This innovative technique results in a concentrate that retains the terpenes and cannabinoids that are often lost during the curing process.
The key is flash-freezing freshly harvested cannabis plants immediately after cutting them down. This quick freeze preserves the terpenes, the aromatic oils that give cannabis its distinctive smell and taste. Terpenes also interact with cannabinoids like THC and CBD to create the entourage effect, influencing the overall experience.
How It’s Made
To make live resin, cannabis plants are harvested and immediately flash-frozen. The frozen plant material is then processed using solvents like butane or propane to extract the cannabinoids and terpenes. The solvent is purged, leaving behind the potent live resin concentrate.
The entire process must be carefully controlled and monitored to preserve the delicate terpenes. When done properly, live resin can capture the cannabis plant’s full essence, creating a remarkably aromatic and flavorful dab or vape experience.
The result is a concentrate that is not only higher in terpenes but also contains a broader range of cannabinoids compared to concentrates made from cured plant material. This means a wider array of therapeutic and experiential benefits for you.
Live resin is more expensive to produce so it typically costs a bit more than other concentrates. But for many, the unparalleled aroma and experience make the splurge worthwhile. If you want to enjoy cannabis in its freshest, most flavorful form, live resin is the only way to go.
How Live Resin Is Made: From Plant to Concentrate
To make live resin, the process starts with fresh, frozen cannabis plant material – not dried and cured buds like traditional extracts. The key is flash-freezing the plant immediately after harvest to lock in terpenes and cannabinoids.
The frozen plant material is then transferred into an extraction machine where solvents like propane, butane or ethanol are used to separate the cannabinoids and terpenes from the plant. The result is a concentrate that maintains the aromatic compounds from the living plant, giving live resin a stronger aroma and flavor.
Compared to cured resin or other concentrates, live resin tends to have a higher terpene content since the volatile compounds haven’t had a chance to break down during the drying and curing phase. The final product will contain a robust spectrum of cannabinoids like THC, CBD and CBG, as well as aromatic terpenes like myrcene, limonene and linalool.
How It’s Different From Cured Resin
While cured resin can still produce high quality concentrates, live resin is considered a premium extract given its ability to capture more of the living essence of the plant. During the drying and curing process for cured buds and resin, up to 60-70% of a plant’s terpenes can be lost. Live resin, on the other hand, retains most of these aromatic hydrocarbons since the plant is frozen immediately after harvest.
The result is an extract with a stronger, truer flavor that provides a more complex, well-rounded experience. Connoisseurs and cannabis aficionados tend to prefer live resin for its robust taste and effect. If you want to experience the full essence of a particular cannabis strain, live resin is the way to go.
The Terpenes in Live Resin: Flavor, Aroma and Effects
Live resin concentrates are prized for preserving the terpenes of the cannabis plant. Terpenes are the aromatic oils that give cannabis strains their distinctive flavors and scents. By using flash-frozen plant material, live resin concentrates retain the terpene profiles better than other concentrate production methods.
Flavor and Aroma
The terpenes in live resin leads to an extremely flavorful and aromatic dabbing experience. You’ll notice tastes of mango, lemon, pine, or diesel fuel and scents to match. The terpenescreate an “entourage effect” with the THC and other cannabinoids, enhancing their effects.
Potency and Effects
Live resin tends to be very potent, with THC percentages of 65-95% or higher. The high terpene content helps the THC absorb into your body efficiently. The effects tend to be very cerebral, euphoric and long-lasting. Many users report an uplifting, creative and focused high from live resin concentrates.
• Sativa-dominant live resins may produce an energizing, thought-provoking high.
• Indica-dominant live resins tend to have more relaxing, sedating effects.
• Hybrid live resins fall somewhere in between, with a balance of mental and physical effects.
The diversity of live resin products gives you many choices to find the flavor, aroma, potency, and effects that you desire. Sampling different strains and potencies is the best way to determine what suits you best. Start low and go slow until you find your sweet spot.
Live resin concentrates offer a pure, terpene-rich dabbing experience for cannabis connoisseurs. When made from high-quality, properly cured plant material, live resin can be the ultimate expression of a cannabis strain’s genetic potential.
How to Consume Live Resin Concentrates
There are a few common ways to consume live resin concentrates:
Dab rig
The most popular method is using a dab rig. A dab rig is a specialized bong designed specifically for smoking concentrates. It typically has a nail made of quartz, ceramic, or titanium that you heat up with a torch. Then, you place a small amount of live resin on the nail and inhale the vapor through the rig. Dab rigs provide an intense experience and full flavor of the terpenes.
Vape pen
Vape pens have become increasingly popular for enjoying live resin on the go. Look for a pen specifically designed for concentrates that can handle the viscosity of live resin. These pens have chambers you load the live resin into, then a heating element vaporizes it for you to inhale. Vape pens are very convenient but may not provide the full flavor of a dab rig.
Bowl topper
For a more traditional experience, you can top off flower in a bowl or bong with a little live resin. Place the concentrate on top of the flower, then spark up as usual while gently inhaling. The heat will melt the live resin, infusing the flower with terpenes. Go slowly, as this method can produce an intense high.
Joint/blunt
You can also roll some live resin into a joint, spliff or blunt. Spread the concentrate evenly over your rolling paper or blunt wrap before adding ground flower. Roll it up as usual, then spark one end and pass it around. This classic way of consuming flower gets an upgrade with the added live resin.
As with any concentrate, start low and go slow until you understand how live resin will affect you. A little bit goes a long way, so take small dabs or hits and work your way up to find what’s right for you. Live resin provides a premium cannabis experience, so savor and enjoy!
Where to Find High-Quality Live Resins
Once you’ve got a grasp on what live resin is and why it’s superior, the next question is where to find the best live resins. As with any concentrate, quality and purity are key. Here are some tips for sourcing high-quality live resins:
Dispensaries
Your best bet is to visit reputable dispensaries in states where cannabis is legal. Dispensaries that focus on high-quality, organic products and have a wide selection of live resins and other concentrates are ideal. Talk to the staff about their sourcing and manufacturing processes to determine which brands meet the highest standards. Some top brands for live resin include 710 Labs, Viola, and Raw Garden.
Delivery Services
In some areas, cannabis delivery services offer a range of live resin products. Do some research on the service to make sure they carry high-quality, lab-tested live resins from reputable brands before ordering. Check their menu in advance to see the selection and current offers. The advantage of delivery is convenience, but you lose the ability to see and smell the product before purchasing.
Events
Cannabis events like competitions, festivals, and trade shows are a great opportunity to connect with various live resin brands and try different products. You can get firsthand recommendations from brand ambassadors, ask questions about their extraction and testing processes, and even score discounts on products. Some of the top cannabis events in the U.S. and Canada include the Emerald Cup, Cannabis Cup, Lift & Co. Expo, and O’Cannabiz.
Online
As a last resort, you can purchase live resin from some online retailers, but you need to be extremely cautious. Only buy from reputable retailers that carry lab-tested products from licensed cannabis brands in states where it’s legal. Avoid retailers that don’t list information about testing, licensing or the brands they carry. And of course, live resin products cannot legally be shipped across state lines.
The key is doing your homework to find high-quality live resins that meet the highest safety and potency standards. With so many options now available, you can experiment to find products perfectly suited to your tastes and needs.
Conclusion
You now have all the info you need to dive into the world of live resin concentrates. With its intense aromas and flavors, live resin provides one of the most terpene-rich dabbing experiences. The complex tastes and smells are unlike anything else. While live resin can be a bit pricey, even small dabs of this premium extract go a long way.
The next time you visit your local dispensary, do yourself a favor and pick up some live resin.Find a nice, low-temp rig or wax pen, get comfortable, and prepare to enjoy a full-bodied flavor explosion. The tastes and effects of live resin are so vibrant and nuanced that you’ll wonder why you waited so long to try it. Live resin concentrates offer a glimpse into the true essence of the cannabis plant. What are you waiting for? Go live!
