Live Resin: Cream Of The Crop Concentrates
Live resin is still a relatively new product in the world of cannabis, but it has quickly become very popular among enthusiasts, connoisseurs and producers alike.
The live resin extraction process uses freshly harvested (live) flower material, bypassing the trimming, drying and curing phases of harvesting. Plant material can also be frozen immediately upon harvest, prior to and during extraction to achieve the same result.
This method preserves the flavors and aromas of the live cannabis flower better than any other known method or process.
Taking care of the terpenes
The flavors and aroma of cannabis flowers come from compounds called terpenes. Terpenes exist within trichomes, which line the surface of mature cannabis flowers and foliage.
During drying and curing, moisture and chlorophyll evaporate from the plant. This process exposes trichomes to oxygen, light and heat all of which degrade terpenes. Trichomes also break off of the plant as it is handled and moved around during the harvesting and trimming process.
By extracting or freezing the plant immediately following harvesting, the plant retains its true terpene profile, unique flavor, and fragrance through the extraction process and into the final product.
Because of this unique process, live resins have a more complex terpene profile and higher concentrations of terpenes offering a more robust experience, making them highly desirable.
Benefits of live resin
Cannabis enthusiasts love live resins because they are more flavorful and terpene-rich than other concentrates. In preserving trichomes and terpenes, they retain the flavor profile of the original plant. Preserving trichomes also keeps cannabinoids intact, and live resins are also known to be very potent.
Growers like producing plants for live resin as well. Extracting or fresh freezing plants at harvest means growers don’t have to deal with the costly, time-consuming processes of trimming, curing and drying —whole plants can be cut down and immediately extracted or frozen. Cultivating plants for live resin saves growers huge amounts of time, money, and labor.
How to consume live resin
Live resin product options are expanding from the original form of raw extracts which are best consumed with a “dabbing” or “e-rig” device like the Puffco Peak, or concentrate pen like the Puffco Plus.
These extracts come various consistencies depending on the extraction method and plant strain/terpene profile and are often called budder, sugar, sauce and resin to reflect their texture. Live rosin refers to a solvent-less live extraction process using only freezing temperatures and pressure to separate the cannabinoids and terpenes from the other plant material.
Industry leading companies like True Terpenes based in Oregon, have pioneered new live resin terpene cultivation and extraction processes to produce live resin terpenes that are free from delta-9 THC, opening the door to a whole new range of live resin products in the hemp market.
One of the most exciting new products in the live resin market are live resin carts, Live resin cartridges are disposable vape cartridges pre-filled with live resin extracts, bringing live resin to a wider audience with the convenience of a cartridge (no expensive “dabbing” devices or pens needed).
How much does live resin cost?
Live resins have evolved a lot since their inception in Colorado circa 2011. As recently as 2019, they were a new, rare product only found in certain connoisseur markets at premium prices, often exceeding $100 per gram.
Although live resins are still sold at a higher premium than other concentrate products, there is now a wider range of options for more people to experience the benefits of live resin concentrates at more affordable prices.
On average, live resin concentrates typically cost anywhere from 20% to 100% more than standard concentrates.
Where did live resin originate?
The origins of live resin go back to 2011 when a small group of growers and extractors in Colorado pioneered the live resin extraction process by developing specialized equipment capable of maintaining the incredibly low temperatures needed to produce live resin.
This new process and technology enabled them to preserve terpenes, flavor, and aroma during the extraction process.
What makes live resin different from other concentrates?
Live resin is unique and desirable because of its high terpene content and rich aroma profiles. A more complex terpene profile can provide a different and more robust experience as well, because of the entourage effect— the synergistic interaction between cannabinoids, terpenes and the human body.
Live resin products typically tend to be potent and consumers love them because of their intense flavors and aromas which carry over from the original plant
Fans of cannabis concentrates tend to place a high value on flavor and aroma as well as effects, so there’s a big demand for live resin concentrates.
The evolving popularity of live resin
As the market for cannabis concentrates continues to demand more flavorful options that offer a more complex experience, live resins will continue to gain popularity and prominence. After all, enjoying a concentrate that remains true to the fragrance of the flower it came from is truly a remarkable experience!
Where to buy live resin
While live resin is still most prevalent in connoisseur markets, more dispensaries are starting to offer live resin or expand their live resin offerings.
Innovative new brands like Cultivar Carts are pioneering hemp derived THC O live resin carts for sale online with free shipping. Click here to learn more about Cultivar Carts and buy live resin carts online today!
