Concentrates are arguably one of the most versatile cannabis products you’ll find on our Michigan menu. This product type offers a wide range of factors that transform your high experience. The texture, flavor, potency, and extraction method determine the type of concentrate and the best way to consume it.
Consider this your ultimate guide to exploring cannabis concentrates and determining the difference between solventless and solvent-based cannabis concentrate options.
How Are Cannabis Concentrates Made?
When it comes to concentrates, everything starts with the cannabis extraction. The way extractors pull cannabinoids and terpenes from the plant material defines both the product type and the final experience for consumers.
- Cannabis extraction methods fall into two main categories: solvent-based and solventless. The key difference comes down to whether the process uses chemicals or not.
Solvent-Based Extraction
Solvent-based extraction methods rely on compounds such as butane, propane, ethanol, or CO₂ to strip cannabinoids and terpenes from the cannabis plant.
After extraction, the resulting product must go through purging. The process uses heat and pressure to remove any leftover solvents. When done properly, this step ensures a clean, safe concentrate product ready for consumption.
- Manufacturers don’t make “solvent-free” products without solvents. They purge the solvents before packaging and sending them to dispensary shelves.
- Popular solvent-based concentrates include live resin, shatter, crumble, distillate, and diamonds.
Solventless Extraction
On the flip side, extractors create solventless concentrates without the use of chemical solvents. Instead, they rely on mechanical techniques such as heat, pressure, agitation, or filtration to isolate the plant’s compounds, trichomes, and oils.
Solventless extraction methods skip chemicals entirely, which is why many people consider them a more “natural” alternative to solvent-based products.
- Common solventless concentrates include hash, rosin, live rosin, bubble hash, and kief.
- These cannabis concentrate products are often prized for their clean flavor and artisanal quality.
Popular Types of Concentrates in Michigan
Common concentrates like wax, shatter, live resin, rosin, crumble, diamonds, distillate, hash, and kief may look and feel very different. However, they all start with the same goal to separate the most valuable compounds of the plant (cannabinoids and terpenes) from the rest of the material.
Here’s a quick look at some of the most popular concentrate varieties you’ll find on our Michigan dispensary menu:
RSO (Rick Simpson Oil)
Known for its thick, tar-like consistency and high potency, RSO is a full-spectrum oil made using solvents, preserving a wide range of cannabinoids and terpenes. RSO can be consumed orally, added to food, or applied topically, making it one of the most versatile concentrates.
Rosin
A solventless fan favorite, rosin is traditionally made by pressing cannabis flower, kief, or hash with heat and pressure. The result is a clean, flavorful concentrate packed with cannabinoids and terpenes.
Badder
Badder (also known as budder) has a smooth, whipped texture that resembles butter or cake frosting. It’s easy to handle and full of terpenes, making it perfect for dabbing and delivering a flavorful, aromatic smoke.
Sauce
Terpene-rich and saucy in texture, this concentrate separates into two parts. The parts are high-potency THCA crystals and a syrupy layer of terpene “sauce.” When combined, THC sauce gives you a balance of intense flavor and powerful effects for advanced consumers.
Live Resin
Live resin preserves more of the plant’s natural terpene profile by extracting a fresh cannabis plant to flash freeze, instead of traditional dried buds. The result is a concentrate that’s bursting with flavor and aroma, offering a ‘fresh plant’ smoke.
Hash
Producers make hash, one of the oldest forms of concentrate, by compressing trichomes and kief into solid bricks or hash balls. Known as the most traditional concentrate type, it’s still popular today for its simplicity, potency, and versatility. You can smoke hash in a pipe, press it into rosin, or crumble it into a joint.
Tips for Dabbing & Enjoying Concentrates
No matter your specific tolerance level or relationship with the plant, it’s important for users to keep in mind the higher potency levels of cannabis concentrates. Keep these tips in mind for a more enjoyable experience:
- Start Low & Slow: Concentrates are highly potent, so begin with a small dab (about the size of your fingernail or a thumb tack).
- Assemble Your Tools of the Trade: A dab rig with a torch is the most classic method to consume concentrates, but e-rigs, dab pens, and nectar collectors make the process easier and more portable.
- Cleaning Your Gear: Keep your device fresh by wiping down sticky parts with isopropyl alcohol. Soaked Q-tips work wonders on small corners, bangers, and mouthpieces.
- Remember Flavor vs. Potency: Crystalline isolates can reach up to 99% THC but will lack terpene flavor, but concentrate types like live resin and rosin balance potency with full-spectrum taste.
Shop Concentrates at Krewe Cannabis Co.
Whether you’re searching for terp-heavy live rosin, flavorful live resin, or ultra-potent diamonds, our dispensary in Benton Harbor has you covered.
At Krewe Cannabis Co., you can trust that we are constantly stocked with top-quality concentrates. Plus, our budtenders are always here to guide you toward exploring new products and picking the perfect product for your next dabbing sesh.
Browse our online menu or stop in at our dispensary in Benton Harbor to explore our list of the best MI concentrate brands.
Order online or stop by today and elevate your cannabis experience with Krewe Cannabis Co. Read more consumer tips and plant education on our blog.
The contents of this blog are intended for informational purposes only. Always seek the advice of a physician or other qualified healthcare provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.
