The Difference Between Cured Resin vs Live Resin
Cannabis extracts are the most fascinating products out there for cannabis lovers. These products contain extra-high levels of cannabinoids and terpenes, making them particularly strong and flavorful. However, they can also be confusing with so many unique extraction methods - even for the same types of extracts. For instance, you might want to know the difference between cured resin and live resin.
Live resin is one of the most popular types of concentrates out there, especially as its high terpenoid levels make it extra flavorful. With that said, cured resin is another exciting option for dab lovers who want something a little different. So what exactly is the difference between live resin and cured resin and which should you use? Here’s a breakdown.
What Is Live Resin?
Those looking for cannabis concentrates that are just as flavorful as they are powerful often opt for live resin. This popular type of cannabis extract isn’t just loved for its high THC levels - it also has high levels of flavorful terpenes. Its flavorful qualities are mainly due to the unique extraction process used to make it.
Making live resin is a little different from many cannabis concentrates as it must be made with fresh cannabis. As soon as the cannabis buds are harvested, usually by placing them in a container of dry ice or submerging them in liquid nitrogen. It’s believed that using flash-frozen cannabis buds helps maintain the freshness and flavor of the finished product.
After flash freezing the chosen cannabis strain, the buds undergo a solvent-based extraction process. However, relatively low temperatures are used in comparison to other types of cannabis extracts. Using low extracts helps ensure that the terpenes aren’t lost during extraction. After extraction, a vacuum chamber is used to evaporate residual solvents.
What Is Cured Resin?
Much like live resin, cured resin is a potent cannabis extract that contains high levels of THC and terpenes. However, cured resin extracts are often less flavorful than live resin extracts. A slightly different process is used to make cured resin. Instead of freezing fresh cannabis buds, cured resin can be used with any dried and cured cannabis.
Drying and curing are important processes used to bring harvested cannabis buds to optimal levels of potency. After harvesting the plant, they must undergo days of drying following a long curing process to ensure they reach peak cannabinoid levels. During this process, some terpenes and other components are lost.
After drying and curing the cannabis buds, they then undergo a similar extraction process. Solvents are used to separate the most potent parts of the strain from the rest of the plant material. The extracts gained via this method are then purged of solvents before they’re ready to use.
Cured Resin vs Live Resin: What’s The Difference?
Cured resin and live resin are similar in many ways. Most can give you sensational effects thanks to high cannabinoid levels. You can also use both of these concentrates in the same ways. Some users might not even notice a significant difference between cured resin and live resin, but they vary in a few ways.
Simply put, cured resin is made with dried, cured cannabis buds whereas fresh, flash-frozen cannabis buds are used to make live resin. Using fresh cannabis buds means that live resin extracts maintain more fresh, flavorful terpenes than cured resin extracts. However, cured resin extracts are often stronger as curing helps cannabis strains reach peak potency.
Cannabis connoisseurs who seek the most aromatic and flavorful strains will probably prefer live resin to cured resin. The process used to make it ensures maximum flavor for users. In contrast, those who want the most potent, hard-hitting extracts will probably prefer cured resin. Nonetheless, both of these extracts can offer powerful highs and flavorful hits.
How Are Cured Resin and Live Resin Used?
While live resin and cured resin differ in some ways, the ways you can use them are the same. Like other cannabis concentrates, you can smoke, vape, or dab live or cured resin extracts. The ideal method depends on your preferences. However, there are other factors to consider when choosing your method of consumption.
You can smoke live resin or cured resin by mixing them with cannabis. Start by rolling a joint with your favorite strain of ground weed before adding a few dabs of your chosen cannabis extract. You can also fill a bowl with ground weed before topping it with dabs of live resin or cured resin. As you burn the weed, the resin will burn along with it and your hits will be enhanced.
Vaping is arguably the best way to use live resin. Using a concentrate vaporizer lets you choose your desired temperature and enjoy smooth, flavorful hits. As such, you can use lower temperatures to bring out the flavor of your live resin extracts without running the terpenes. Cured resin also works well with vaporizers.
Dabbing is a method that involves heating your extracts at high temperatures for stronger hits. You start by heating the nail of your dab rig before carefully applying a dab of your chosen extract. Dabbing is great for cured resin as it helps bring out the full extent of its potent effects. In contrast, using live resin with a dab rig can make you miss out on its fresh, flavorful qualities.
Conclusion
Cured resin and live resin are both popular cannabis concentrates known for delivering powerful effects. Live resin is made with flash-frozen buds, meaning it retains more flavorful terpenes. Cured resin is made with dried and cured cannabis buds, meaning these extracts are often more potent. With that said, both of these extracts provide sensational experiences and it’s worth trying both of them.
Alternatively, you might want to consider rosin. Rosin is a solventless extract that anyone can make from home using a Rosin Press. Its solventless nature makes it one of the safest and cleanest extracts you can use. You can even make live rosin by using ice wax made with freshly frozen cannabis buds. You can find everything you need to make high-quality rosin at The Ju1ceBox.