Cannabis Concentrates 101: Everything You Need to Know Before You Buy

Sure, flower is a classic, but concentrated cannabis takes things up a notch. These products are packed with cannabinoids and come in different forms like wax, shatter, and rosin. But how do they go from plant to potent? Let's get into what makes them different and how to find the best form of cannabis concentrate for you.

What Are Cannabis Concentrates?

Cannabis concentrates are potent products made by extracting key compounds from the cannabis plant, resulting in a refined and powerful form. Unlike traditional flower, cannabis concentrates contain higher levels of cannabinoids in a compact form.

Why People Choose Concentrates:

• Purity: Undesirable plant materials are removed, leaving only the essential compounds.
• Potency: Higher cannabinoid content means less product is needed.
• Variety: From wax to rosin, there’s a cannabis concentrate for different preferences.

How Cannabis Concentrates Are Made

The way cannabis concentrates are made determines their potency, purity, and consistency. There are two primary extraction methods: solvent-based and solventless.

Solvent-Based vs. Solventless Extractions

• Solvent-Based
• How It Works: Uses chemicals like butane or CO₂ to extract compounds
• Common Types: Shatter, wax, distillate
• Solventless
• How It Works: Uses pressure, heat, or water to extract compounds
• Common Types: Rosin, dry sift, bubble hash

Solvent-based extractions involve using chemical solvents to strip cannabinoids and terpenes from the plant material. This process can efficiently pull out desired compounds, but it requires post-processing to remove any residual solvents, ensuring a clean final product.

Solventless extractions, on the other hand, do not use chemicals. Instead, they rely on mechanical pressure, heat, or water to extract compounds without altering the plant’s natural profile. These methods preserve the integrity of the cannabinoids and terpenes.

Solvent-Based Extraction Methods

• Butane Hash Oil (BHO) Extraction

BHO extraction is one of the most common methods for producing cannabis concentrates. In this process, butane is used as a solvent to dissolve cannabinoids and terpenes, separating them from the plant material. The resulting extract is then purged using heat and vacuum techniques to remove any leftover butane. This method creates popular concentrates like shatter, wax, and budder, each with its own texture and consistency. Due to its efficiency and high yield, BHO remains a go-to method in the industry.

• Propane Hash Oil (PHO) Extraction

PHO extraction works similarly to BHO, but instead of butane, it uses propane as the solvent. Propane has a lower boiling point, allowing for a lighter and more flavorful final product. This method is particularly known for producing softer-textured concentrates like budder. PHO extraction tends to preserve terpenes more effectively than BHO.

• CO₂ Extraction

CO₂ extraction is a solvent-based method that uses pressurized carbon dioxide instead of hydrocarbons like butane or propane. This process is often considered a cleaner option since CO₂ naturally evaporates, leaving no solvent residue behind. It’s commonly used to create vape cartridges, tinctures, and distillates. CO₂ extraction also allows for precise control over temperature and pressure.

• Ethanol Extraction

Ethanol extraction involves soaking cannabis in ethanol to pull out cannabinoids and terpenes. This method is particularly effective at stripping unwanted plant matter, resulting in a highly refined product. Ethanol extraction is widely used in the production of distillates and isolates, which are often found in edibles, tinctures, and vape products. Since ethanol evaporates at relatively low temperatures, it’s an efficient way to create cannabis concentrates with minimal thermal degradation.

Solventless Extraction Methods

• Rosin Pressing

Rosin pressing is a chemical-free method that uses heat and pressure to extract cannabinoids from the cannabis plant. This process involves placing flower, kief, or hash between heated plates and applying pressure to release the resinous oils. Since rosin pressing doesn’t require solvents, the final product remains pure while retaining its full-spectrum properties. The simplicity of this method makes it a popular choice for those who prefer solventless cannabis concentrates with minimal processing.

• Bubble Hash (Ice Water Extraction)

Bubble hash is created using ice-cold water and agitation to separate trichomes from the plant material. The frozen trichomes break off and sink, while the unwanted plant matter remains suspended. The extracted resin is then collected, dried, and pressed into hash. High-quality bubble hash is rated on a star system, with “full melt” being the purest form, meaning it fully melts when exposed to heat. This method produces a potent, solvent-free cannabis concentrate that retains a significant amount of terpenes and cannabinoids.

• Dry Sift (Kief Extraction)

Dry sift extraction involves using fine mesh screens to separate trichomes from dried cannabis flower. The result is kief, a fine, powdery collection of trichomes that can be used as-is or pressed into hash. This method is one of the simplest and oldest ways to create cannabis concentrates without the need for chemicals or heat. While dry sift doesn’t offer the same potency levels as BHO or distillate, it provides a pure and natural option for those seeking a solvent-free concentrate.

Post-Extraction Processes

Once cannabinoids and terpenes are extracted, some cannabis concentrates go through additional refinement steps to improve purity and consistency.

• Winterization

Winterization is a process that removes fats, waxes, and lipids from solvent-based extracts. This is done by dissolving the extract in ethanol and freezing it at extremely low temperatures. The unwanted compounds separate from the mixture, allowing them to be filtered out. This step is commonly used in the production of distillates to create a cleaner final product.

• Purging

Purging is necessary for solvent-based extractions like BHO and PHO to remove any remaining solvents from the concentrate. This process involves applying heat and vacuum pressure to the extract, allowing the solvents to evaporate without degrading cannabinoids or terpenes. Proper purging ensures that cannabis concentrates are free from residual chemicals and safe for consumption.

• Distillation

Distillation is a technique used to isolate cannabinoids and remove unwanted compounds like plant waxes, chlorophyll, and terpenes. This process creates highly purified distillates, which are often used in vape cartridges and edibles. Distillation allows for precise cannabinoid concentration.

Popular Types of Cannabis Concentrates

With so many cannabis concentrates available, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed. Each type has its own texture, extraction method, and potency. Some are made using solvents, while others rely on heat, pressure, or water to separate cannabinoids from the plant. 

Solvent-Based Concentrates

Solvent-based cannabis concentrates are made using chemicals like butane, propane, or CO₂ to extract cannabinoids and terpenes.  Here are some of the most common types:

Shatter

Shatter is known for its hard, brittle consistency that resembles glass. It’s one of the most recognizable cannabis concentrates, often breaking into sharp, clean pieces when handled. The clarity of shatter is due to the way it’s processed. Low temperatures and minimal agitation keep the extract stable, resulting in a smooth, translucent appearance. Because of its firm texture, shatter can be more challenging to work with compared to softer concentrates like wax.

Wax

Wax has a softer, more pliable texture than shatter. The difference comes from how the extract is processed. Whipping during the purging stage introduces air, creating a fluffier, crumbly consistency. Depending on how it’s made, wax can vary in texture, from creamy budder to chunkier crumble. Its softer structure makes it one of the more user-friendly cannabis concentrates for those who want something easy to work with.

Distillate

Distillate is a highly refined cannabis concentrate that strips away everything except cannabinoids. The result is a nearly pure, odorless, and flavorless extract that is often used in edibles, tinctures, and vape cartridges. Because distillate undergoes multiple filtration steps, it lacks the plant’s original terpenes unless they are reintroduced later. This makes it a versatile option for those looking for a neutral concentrate that can be easily infused into different products.

Live Resin

Live resin stands out because it’s made from fresh, frozen cannabis plants instead of dried flower. Freezing the plant immediately after harvest preserves terpenes that might otherwise degrade during the drying and curing process. The result is a concentrate with a strong, natural aroma and a more flavorful profile. 

Solventless Concentrates

Solventless cannabis concentrates skip the chemicals and rely on mechanical methods like heat, pressure, or water to extract cannabinoids. These options appeal to those who prefer a more natural extraction process while still getting a potent product.

Rosin

Rosin is made by applying heat and pressure to cannabis flower, kief, or hash, squeezing out the resinous oils without using solvents. This method keeps the plant’s natural compounds intact, making it one of the purest cannabis concentrates available. Rosin can vary in texture from a sticky, sap-like consistency to a more solid form, depending on the temperature and pressure used during extraction.

Bubble Hash

Bubble hash is made using ice water and agitation to separate trichomes from the plant material. The cold temperature helps preserve cannabinoids and terpenes while preventing unwanted plant matter from making its way into the final product. Once the trichomes are collected, they are dried and pressed into a soft, crumbly hash. High-quality bubble hash, often rated using a star system, can melt completely when heated, leaving little to no residue.

Dry Sift

Dry sift, also known as kief, is made by sifting dried cannabis flower through fine mesh screens to collect the trichomes. This fine, powdery substance can be pressed into hash or used on its own as a cannabis concentrate. Because dry sift doesn’t go through an extensive extraction process, it retains much of the plant’s original profile.

How to Choose the Best Form of Cannabis Concentrate

With so many cannabis concentrates available, finding the right one depends on your experience, extraction preferences, and how you plan to use it. Here’s a breakdown of what to consider when choosing the best form of cannabis concentrate for your needs.

Experience Level

Your familiarity with cannabis concentrates plays a big role in what type you might prefer:

• Beginners: Wax and rosin are great choices because of their manageable texture. Wax has a soft, malleable consistency, making it easy to use, while rosin provides a solvent-free option with minimal processing.
• Experienced Users: Shatter and distillate may be more appealing due to their higher purity levels and potency. Shatter has a brittle, glass-like consistency that requires careful handling, while distillate is highly refined and often used in edibles, tinctures, and vape products.

Extraction Preference

Some people prefer concentrates made without chemical solvents, while others look for the highest levels of refinement and purity.

• Solvent-Free Options: If you want a concentrate without chemical processing, rosin and bubble hash are ideal choices. These concentrates use heat, pressure, or ice water to extract cannabinoids without introducing solvents.
• Purity and Potency Priorities: If your focus is on achieving the highest purity and cannabinoid concentration, distillate or live resin may be the way to go. Distillate undergoes an extensive refinement process, removing unwanted compounds, while live resin is made from fresh, frozen plants to preserve more natural compounds.

Product Usage

Different cannabis concentrates are suited for different applications, so it's important to consider how you plan to use them.

• Edibles: Distillate is commonly used in edibles because it’s odorless, flavorless, and highly refined, allowing for easy infusion into various products.
• Vape Pens: Many vape cartridges contain CO₂-extracted oils, offering a smooth and convenient option for those who prefer vaping.
• Versatile Options: Rosin and wax can be used in multiple ways, making them a solid choice for those who want flexibility in how they consume their concentrates.

Storage Tips for Cannabis Concentrates

Proper storage is key to keeping cannabis concentrates fresh, potent, and free from degradation. Factors like temperature, light, and exposure to air can affect the quality of your product over time. Here’s how to store them correctly to maintain their purity and potency.

Shatter & Wax

Shatter and wax are known for their sticky consistency, which can make handling a challenge. To prevent them from sticking to surfaces, store them in silicone containers or wrap them in parchment paper before placing them in an airtight container. This helps maintain their texture and prevents unnecessary mess. Keeping them in a cool, dark place will also help preserve their structure and prevent them from becoming too soft or brittle.

Live Resin & Rosin

Live resin and rosin contain more natural plant compounds, which makes them more sensitive to temperature and light. Exposure to heat can cause them to degrade quickly, affecting their quality. The best way to store these cannabis concentrates is in an airtight glass jar in a cool, dark place. Some people prefer refrigeration, but if stored at room temperature, make sure the area is dry and away from direct sunlight.

Distillate & Oil

Distillate and oil-based cannabis concentrates are highly refined and require airtight storage to maintain potency. Since these products can be affected by oxygen exposure, keeping them in sealed glass or plastic syringes, dropper bottles, or airtight jars will help preserve their quality. Store them in a cool, dark cabinet away from heat sources to ensure they stay fresh for longer.

Final Words

Cannabis concentrates come in a variety of forms. Whether you prefer solvent-based options like shatter and distillate or solventless choices like rosin and bubble hash, there’s something for every preference.

When shopping for cannabis concentrates, it’s essential to choose lab-tested products to ensure quality and purity. At Apotheca, you’ll find a curated selection of cannabis products, including cannabis seeds and pre-rolls for those looking to explore different options.