This special variety of cannabis concentrate is made from freshly frozen cannabis flower — and that makes all the difference in the final product. That’s because live resin retains peak levels of cannabinoids and terpenes that begin to fade away after harvest. It’s capturing cannabis at the peak of freshness. No wonder cannabis lovers are going wild for live resin.
New to live resin? This guide will introduce you to live resin cannabis products and what makes them so special.
Why choose live resin?
Live resin is a type of concentrate packed with flavor and potency, providing a true-to-strain experience ideal if you love taking a sommelier-like approach to your sessions. That alone makes it worth the process and the premium price point. time, effort, and money.
Live resin offers more robust terpene profiles compared to other concentrates on the market, which makes them a good choice if you love the unique flavor each strain offers. It’s unique among concentrates in terms of its terpene richness, so if you prioritize terps in your session, this could be the concentrate for you.
Live resin also provides a potent experience like other concentrates, so if you enjoy high levels of THC, you can expect a satisfying session from live resin products. Generally, live resin ranges from 80% to 90% THC content, placing it on the higher end of the testing spectrum when it comes to potency.
Terpenes and live resin
Terpenes are the scented, flavorful compounds that give cannabis its smell and taste. More than 200 terpenes have been found in cannabis plants, but some of the most common and abundant include myrcene, beta-caryophyllene, and limonene. There are plenty of other terpenes you can expect to see on the label of cannabis products, so check out the Queen City guide to terpenes to learn more about each.
In addition to contributing flavors and scents to cannabis, each terpene contributes potential therapeutic effects that can significantly alter your experience. Myrcene, for example, is known for its soothing, relaxing effects and excels at calming aches and pains. Limonene, on the other hand, is typically considered an uplifting and energizing terpene. And when these compounds come together in different combinations, they can produce a whole range of different experiences. That’s part of the reason why each strain of cannabis can be so different.
Live resin is the ideal cannabis product if you want a potent concentrate but don’t want to sacrifice these terpenes and quality. Typically, the processes used to create concentrates degrade most terpenes, eliminating the unique flavor profiles and effects that quality terpenes provide.
How is live resin made?
The difference between live resin and other types of concentrates is the use of fresh frozen cannabis flower at the start of the process. Live resin is usually made through a process called hydrocarbon extraction, which is the same way butane hash oil (BHO) and many familiar types of concentrates are made. However, because the flower hasn’t been dried or cured, it retains most of its terpene and cannabinoid content that was present at the time of harvest.
During the hydrocarbon extraction process, the flower will naturally lose some of its potency, both in terpene profile and cannabinoid content. However, because fresh frozen cannabis begins with so much more of each compound, the final product tends to retain more as well.
Here’s a basic overview of how it works:
- Fresh frozen flower is combined with hydrocarbon solvents: The cannabis flower is combined with a solvent, usually butane, propane, or a combination of both. The solvent is used to separate the terpenes, cannabinoids, and other compounds from the plant material.
- The extracted solution is refined: The solvent pulls more than just cannabinoids and terpenes; it also brings with it lipids and waxes that need to be removed from the concentrate. Through various methods of dewaxing and winterizing, the extracted solution is refined further so only the desirable parts remain.
- Purging removes residual solvents from the concentrate: The solvents that remain in the concentrate need to be removed before the final product can be collected. This is done by heating up the solution to the boiling point of the solvents to evaporate them and collect them for future production runs. Hydrocarbons have very low boiling points, meaning manufacturers can purge the solvents without destroying terpenes and cannabinoids. That’s why hydrocarbon extraction is the best choice for the production of live resin.
Hydrocarbon extraction is a complex process with a lot of important steps, but this basic overview provides a sense of why hydrocarbons are so useful when producing live resin. When you start with fresh frozen cannabis with peak levels of terpenes and cannabinoids and use a process that involves purging at relatively low temperatures, the result is live resin that preserves the maximum amount of terpenes possible for better flavors and enhanced therapeutic experiences.
What live resin products can I buy?
There are a few types of live resin cannabis products you can expect to find in the dispensary. Here’s a look at what’s available at Queen City, as well as other types of products you may encounter.
- Live resin concentrates: Live resin is often sold like other concentrates, in the form of oil or wax that can be used with a dab rig or vaporizer. At Queen City, we carry concentrates like Gage Fritter Cake Live Resin Badder and Kind Tree Strudelz Live Resin Crumble. Each type of concentrate offers its own consistency and which one is right for you depends on how you intend to consume. If you’re not sure, feel free to ask one of our budtenders for recommendations.
You’ll also find live rosin concentrates from Lily Extracts on our menu. Live rosin is a bit different from live resin — live rosin is made without a solvent from the same fresh plants as live resin — but still provides that impressively flavorful experience.
- Live resin cartridges: If you don’t want to be bothered handling concentrates and using dab rigs, live resin cartridges offer an easy and convenient make for an easier consumption experience. Generally contained in a cartridge with a 510-millimeter thread, live resin vape carts can be screwed into a compatible battery. Simply activate to vaporize and inhale through the mouthpiece with no mess to clean up afterward.
- Live resin edibles: Vaping and dabbing not your thing? Live resin edibles are infused with these concentrates to provide a familiar consumption experience that’s as simple as ingesting your favorite snack. While the terpene flavors are often masked by whatever infused item you choose, the therapeutic effects of the heightened terpene content will still be noticeable. So, if you want to maximize terpenes but don’t want to inhale your live resin, these infused edibles could be the right choice for you.
Not sure what types of live resin you’d like to try, or what’s available? Queen City dispensary staff are always standing by to help you navigate our menu. Whether you’re trying something new or looking for an old favorite, just let us know — we’ll be happy to help find what you’re looking for.
Live resin brings the terps
If you prioritize terpene content in your cannabis, live resin is one of the best choices out there. Whether you enjoy true-to-strain flavors or just like the added effects that terpenes bring to the experience, live resin products could be the right choice for you. And, when you visit Queen City Dispensary, you can expect to be met with friendly, knowledgeable staff that can point out all our live resin products (or anything else on our dispensary shelves) that suit your preferences. So, stop into our Plainfield, New Jersey location today and see what sets Queen City apart from other cannabis dispensaries. We’re looking forward to your visit!
