EDUCATIONAL
ROSIN: T HE M E C H A NI C S O F M E LT B Y W I S E LY H A S H
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P H OTO G R A P H Y BY J O N S E C O R D
What is “rosin?” Rosin is a cannabis concentrate that is created using heat and pressure to filter trichome heads from material such as cannabis flower, bubble hash, or kief. The result can be a sappy, badder, or shatter-like consistency. Rosin is one of a few cannabis products available that contains a full spectrum of cannabinoids and terpenes. As a result, the patient encounters a more “full-bodied” effect not normally found in concentrates made using solvents such as butane, propane, or hexane. What are the main types of rosin? The past few years have brought the industry an explosion of solventless concentrates. Here are the five most popular: Flower rosin This is a rosin created using dried/cured flower as a starting material. Of all the rosin types, flower rosin is the most likely to provide the fullest spectrum of cannabinoids and terpenes. However, given the low yields, low percentage of cannabinoids, and often unattractive color, it has become one of the least popular types of rosin among patients. Hash rosin Hash rosin is made by using bubble hash from dried flower as a starting material. Bubble hash is created using a process
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in which flower is submerged in ice-cold water and agitated to remove trichome heads. The water is then filtered through mesh bags that collect the trichome heads. The heads are then dried and put under heat and pressure to create hash rosin. Hash rosin tends to have a higher concentration of cannabinoids because the initial starting material is already an extract. Live rosin Live rosin is created with a starting material of bubble hash similar to the above; however, in this instance, the plant material is “fresh frozen” before being turned into bubble hash to preserve the terpenes and cannabinoids. “Fresh freezin” is a process of harvesting plant material and immediately freezing it until it is ready to be processed. Live rosins are frequently more potent than other rosins because freezing the material limits the degradation of terpenes and cannabinoids, leaving an attractive color, distinct flavor, and full-spectrum effect. Sift/Kief rosin Sift or kief rosin is made using material that is collected from dry flower or trim using a screen to filter the trichome heads that have been shaken off of the flower/trim. Rosin extracted from kief generally has a similar cannabinoid content and yield to hash rosin as the material is the same with the absence of water as an agitator.
