What is Live Resin?

Why Live Resin is the “Champagne” of Cannabis Concentrates

By Alyse Morgan

Those who have ever witnessed the beauty that is a fresh, ready-to-be-harvested pot plant know that its smell is unparalleled. They’re the type of discerning cannabis enthusiast that will appreciate live resin. Why? The process of extracting concentrates and dabbing have been on the rise following the legalization of marijuana. This new-school method of consumption puts efficiency first, as it does away with the plant matter and carcinogens associated with smoking and heads straight for the good stuff (the THC and sweet, sweet terpenes).

Live Resin Is Special

A well-made concentrate will have adequate potency along with a smooth flavor that is a true representation of its strain, but it won’t touch the beauty that is live resin. To understand live resin, one must understand how it is superior to its concentrate counterparts. The answer lies in the curing process (or lack thereof).

Live resin extraction bypasses this drying and curing process

Others are Dried and Cured

Many will argue that the most important part of cannabis cultivation is the drying and curing process, since six months of work growing the buds all depends on how they’re preserved. Once harvested, the plants go through an initial drying stage that lasts from one to two weeks. This is to remove most of the moisture and, simultaneously, preserve the plant’s terpenes. The second phase is the curing process where the buds are removed from the stem and placed in an airtight container for anywhere from two to eight weeks. The lids of these containers will be regularly removed to allow the buds to breathe. Perfectly cured cannabis will have some moisture. It will provide a smooth burn and have a strong yet aromatic flavor as a result of properly broken down chlorophyll. A poorly cured bud will be harsh, less potent, and will smell like hay. Terpenes are the backbone of concentrates, and a well-cured batch of bud will yield better extractions in the form of a delicious batch of oil, wax, shatter, or distillate.

But something is lost in the curing process.

Since the plants are preserved by the removal of moisture, it is inevitable that a small percentage of the plant’s terpenes dissipate during the drying process. For those who haven’t discovered what terpenes are, they are the oils in cannabis that are responsible for the unique flavor and feeling associated with each strain. As I said before, a well-cured plant will make a fantastically flavorful wax or shatter, but it will have absolutely nothing on live resin.

Finally, The Good Stuff

Live resin (or any live concentrate) does not bother with the curing process. It is made by flash freezing a plant just minutes after harvest, then extracting from there. Live resin is usually extracted with butane and purged in a vacuum oven. The result is a perfectly preserved terpene profile. The sweet, fruity aroma of the fresh plant is transferred into something you can taste. It has been given the well-deserved title of “the champagne of concentrates” because of it’s luxurious flavor and higher price point. I assure you, it’s well worth it.

What To Look For in Live Resin

When shopping for live resin, there are a few factors to consider. One factor is the look of the live resin. It should have a warm color that can range from gold to a deep amber. Well-made live resin should also have a decent balance of crystals and liquid. The crystals are THC, the liquids are terpenes. Flavor is a major component of live resin that has given its well-deserved connoisseur-pleasing status. As the old saying goes, the nose knows.

Since live resin has more terpenes, it has more flavor and aromatics. Terpenes work with your body when you smell and inhale them. These spellbinding oils actually modulate the effects of THC, so they are your key to knowing if a particular strain is right for you. All other concentrates are made from dried cured flower, so they will be flavorful, but the flavor is muted in comparison since the full terpene profile is not preserved after the curing process.

How to Enjoy Live Resin

Anyone wishing to dabble in the delicious nectar that is live resin can enjoy it in a multitude of ways. Dabbing is the most popular way to consume concentrates. This can be done can either by using a rig or a dab straw. Most people don’t drink fine wine out of a solo cup, and it’s best to take that approach to live resin.

Metal nails are difficult to get a precise temperature. Too hot, and precious terpenes burn off making the dab harsh and toasted. Not hot enough, and the flavor is lackluster and the dab lacks depth. If dabbing live resin, reach for glass or quartz for temperature control and flavor.

If the idea of using a torch is too much, vape pens or dab pens can be a fantastic alternative. Much like the devices for dabbing, not all pens are created equal. Pens with spheres are cheap, not at all discrete, and change the flavor of the concentrate. We recommend a pen with a ceramic dish or a pen with a crystal dual coil and the ability to change temperature.

Treat Yourself

That’s right, live resin is Mary Jane’s way of reminding us to enjoy the more fine things in life. Whether you live in a state where cannabis is legal, or if you’re just visiting — use this knowledge and try something new. Treat yourself to some live resin.

What the rest of the team says about live resin:

“I like the immediate, powerful results. I also like the taste of live resin more than shatter or wax. It’s like a no-fuss concentrate. It’s a quick fix that’s long-lasting with lots of flavor and lots of punch. A little dab will do ya!”

– Eric Weber, The Weedmeister (Sales & Support)

“Live resin uses flash-frozen flower in the extraction process as compared to using regular dried and cured buds. This gives it a unique, flavorful profile that you wouldn’t get with just using dried buds. The reasons I like smoking live resin are 1) its fast and easy 2) tastes so so good and 3) it’s very discrete (similar to vaping). If I go snowboarding or biking and want to get high, it’s not as easy as one would think. First you need to get your bowl or joint lit which is a hassle in itself. Secondly, you have to be discrete about it if you don’t want a public consumption ticket. And third, you have to do it quickly (see reason two).

I like using a vape-style pen called GoBee (made by BeeNails) that works perfectly. No crazy butane flame or risk of burning yourself. No rig needed. Just pack it, turn it on, press the button and boom! You’re surfing the clouds waving at passing satellite dishes. Also with GoBee you don’t have to worry about the wind because it uses internal electronic coils to heat the concentrates. No holding his jacket over his face to try and get the lighter lit for this guy!”

– Austen Regehr, The Bean Counter (Office Manager)

“Live resin is the most advanced science behind cannabis consumption. Literally, it is next-level extraction. With taste profiles ranging from fruity to skunky, the flavor of live resin is the purest terpene profile you can find in a marijuana plant.”

– Matt Roland, The Answer (Director of Sales & Sponsorships)

“With live resin, you’re tasting as close to the pure essence of the plant as possible. It’s worth the bother of treating it more delicately in exchange for tasting the nuance that you’re not able to detect in other concentrates. Dabbing live resin is like going on a date with the ghost of the plant.”

– Nick Brogna, The Nick of All Trades (Account Manager & Tour Guide)

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