Hey yo, it’s Dan here and I’m back again to help ya’ll get all ya need to know about live resin and preservin’ terps. For all you newbees out there who don’t know what I’m talking about, live resin is a technique of preserving terpenes when making concentrates and terps are the essential oils responsible for the flavor and aroma we love about cannabis.
So what’s so special about live resin? Well, it’s all about keepin’ those sweet, sweet terpenes alive through the extraction process so you can enjoy an authentic flavor experience with each hit. By using this method of extraction, you can preserve the terpenes in their original form rather than losing them during the evaporation phase. Let me break it down for ya:
Before you start any type of extraction process, be sure to choose a high-quality strain with a high concentration of terpenes. This is necessary because terps have a low boiling point and evaporate quickly when exposed to heat. Once you’ve got your strain selected, you’ll need a few pieces of equipment. We recommend using a closed loop system with a solvent to extract the oil from your buds. Some examples of solvents include butane, hexane, ethanol, and propane.
Once you’ve set up your system and started the extraction process, you’ll need to watch your temperatures closely. This is key because too much heat can degrade your terpenes and damage their delicate chemical structure. Ideally, you’ll want to keep your temperatures below 160°F (71°C). If you can manage to keep your temps in that range, congrats cuz you’re on your way to preservin’ your terps!
After the solvent has been removed from the oil, you’ll need to winterize your concentrate by putting it in a freezer for 24-48 hours. This helps remove any waxes or fats that may have been extracted during the process. Afterward, decarboxylation is needed in order to activate the THC and other cannabinoids in your concentrate. You can do this by heating your concentrate between 220-240°F (104-116°C) for 10-20 minutes in an oven or a hot water bath.
Finally, it’s time to jar up that sweet nectar! To avoid exposing your terpenes to oxygen or UV light, be sure to store your concentrate in an airtight container. We also recommend storing it in a cool place such as a refrigerator or freezer for optimal preservation.
In conclusion, keeping live resin fresh and tasty is all about maintaining the natural flavor and aroma from your strain of choice by keeping those sweet essential oils alive during the extraction process. From selecting quality strains with high concentrations of terpenes to monitoring temperatures and storing properly, there’s quite a bit that goes into preserving those tasty terps so make sure you do your homework! At the end of the day though, it’s all worth it when you take that first dab or joint hit and experience that realness for yourself.