Concentrates
Concentrates: What Is The Difference Between Resin And Budder Concentrates?
Jan
You’ve probably heard or seen various extracts such as Budder, Live Resin, and Sauce. But what are the differences between these THC-rich concentrates?
Cannabis concentrates, or marijuana concentrates, have recently found their way into various products offered on the cannabis market. They are widely available and allow you to enjoy cannabis in multiple forms such as Shatter, Budder, wax, etc. These concentrates are enjoying tremendous popularity.
However, with so many different variations of cannabis concentrates, it’s becoming increasingly difficult for the average consumer to understand the complexities of each variation adequately. As you enter the wondrous world of concentrates, you may feel overwhelmed by all the variations you encounter.
For cannabis newcomers or the curious who want to try their hand at the concentrate market, it would be intimidating not to know enough about each variation, how they are made, or what effects they can produce. This article will review the variations from a beginner’s point of view and try to approach these questions systematically.
Cannabis Concentrates
Cannabis concentrates are highly potent cannabis derivatives containing Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC). Cannabis concentrates, or cannabis extracts, resemble honey or butter in appearance. And they are often named for their appearance, texture, and consistency.
However, there are many other fundamental differences between extracts beyond what they represent to the naked eye.
How Are Cannabis Concentrates Made
Concentrates are formulated and refined to contain only the necessary components of the cannabis plant, such as cannabinoids and terpenes, while eliminating all other undesirable properties and impurities.
They are produced to give consumers the ultimate experience of a high dose of marijuana and free them from smoking the burnt plant matter.
There are different methods for extracting concentrates, including:
There are various extracts made with different solvents and extraction methods. Each type offers its own experience to the consumer.
Budder
Budder is a THC-rich cannabis concentrate that resembles butter in appearance and consistency, so it is called Budder. It is usually yellowish or amber in colour and indeed looks and feels similar to butter.
Budder, also called butane hash oil (BHO), is a solvent-based concentrate. It is usually made using the same methods as Shatter.
Budder is a softer extract and spreads well, much like soft table butter. However, the colour can vary significantly depending on what strain it came from and exactly how it was made. Sometimes you can find Budder in different shades: golden or greenish-brown coloured.
Potency
Budder can have a substantial effect due to its high THC content of 80% or even more. Budder extracts are potent and have a waxy, crumbly consistency. One of the distinguishing features of Budder that sets it apart from other concentrates is the whipping technique used to make it.
You can think of Budder as a combination of wax and crumble. It is also sometimes referred to as Batter or Badder; however, there are some minor differences. Budder is the fluffiest marijuana concentrate that you can scoop like butter.
Extraction Process
Only licensed professionals with sufficient experience should produce Budder, or other solvent-based cannabis concentrates, as the production processes or solvent residues can be hazardous.
The same extraction methods produce Budder as wax. However, heat and whipping are used for a shorter period. The extract whipped up by the preparation methods initially becomes wax.
Then, the resulting wax is aerated, and you get a butter-like consistency. You will come to know this product as frosting, icing, Badder, and similar creamy sounding names.
Budder is usually extracted using CO2 or butane as a chemical solvent to “blast” the plant material and extract the THC and other desirable cannabis constituents such as CBD.
The solvent is then purged, applying heat and air pressure to remove solvents. The same process is used to produce Shatter and Crumble wax concentrates, but the results are very different due to technical details.
Budder is typically made with liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) like butane and propane. Similar to other concentrates, the process involves a closed-loop system. The only difference in the process is the post-extraction technique.
The main issue with Budder is that it is relatively expensive to produce because part of the preparation process involves vigorous mixing or whipping, resulting in its creamy consistency.
How to Consume
Budder is another wax-concentrated product with very high potency due to its high THC content of over 90%. Budder is made when the extracted cannabis components– mainly cannabinoids (THC)– begin to crystalize after being stirred during the extraction process.
The combination of excellent potency and pleasant flavour has made Budder one of the most popular extracts on the market. Budder consumers also enjoy how easy it is to use.
Due to the butter-like texture, Budder is relatively easy to use in a THC oil pen or dab rig. Plus, you can use budders with dried weed in a bowl or a joint. However, Budder can feel very sticky at high temperatures.
How to Store
It is best to store Budders in parchment paper or silicone containers to avoid mess. Ensure that your Budder– purchased from reputable companies– has a long shelf life. For example, any product in our Budder category should be kept in an airtight container such as a glass jar or silicone in a cold environment.
Like other marijuana concentrates, Budder is heated, and the resulting vapours are inhaled. Many mostly smoke “concentrates dabs” with a dab rig, which is very similar to a bong.
However, dab rigs have nails, and a dome is used to heat the dabs. Then, the vapours are passed through a vessel to the mouthpiece for inhalation.
You can also consume wax concentrates by mixing them with regular pots and smoking them in a joint or a traditional pipe or bong. Due to the high potency of wax, it is highly recommended to use tiny fragments.
Also, adding concentrates can significantly change the way the flowers burn. This method can be an option for those who do not have the right tools or experiment with wax concentrates.
Live Resin
As one of the newest concentrates, Live Resin is quickly becoming one of the most popular concentrates as it fully reflects the original composition of the cannabis plant.
As a highly potent concentrate, Live Resin features a vibrant flavour profile rich in terpenes and respectfully reflects the essence of the marijuana flowers used in its production. It is obtained by flash freezing the cannabis bud after cultivation.
You may find some more potent extracts than Live Resin. But it would be best to keep in mind that the natural terpenes and THC content are carefully preserved in the extraction methods.
Resin & Trichomes
The term “resin” is generally used to characterize the sticky crystal-like residue (known as trichomes) found on the flowers of marijuana plants.
Most of the cannabinoids and terpenes– that cannabis consumers are most interested in– are found in the trichomes. One of the essential cannabinoids is THC, which is mainly responsible for making you feel high.
When cannabinoids (THC and CBD) work synergistically with terpenes and flavonoids, they create a new set of medicinal benefits. This is known as the entourage effect. Our Resin & Sauce collection, with its unique source material, is an excellent example of concentrates that offer such an effect.
Live Resin; Extraction Process
Extraction involves freezing the flowers processed after harvest while they are technically still alive. Instead of extraction from dried buds or dried trim, the living resin is extracted from frozen plants immediately after harvest.
This process – which aims to preserve the full and original terpene profile of the flowers – explains the use of the word “live.” Ideal Live Resin has preserved cannabinoids and terpenes generally lost during the ripening and curing.
Live Resin extracts are made using Shatter and crumble extraction methods. Live Resin produces more intense and complex odours and flavours than conventional waxes and Shatters.
Live resin is usually a rare treat for most stoners, as its attractive flavour profiles result in a higher price tag than other extracts. On the commercial side, pre-filled Live Resin vaporizer cartridges have already appeared; as a result, they could become even more popular in the future.
Resin vs. Budder; A detailed Comparison
As mentioned earlier, Live Resin is a cannabis concentrate. It is produced using a unique rapid freezing process that allows for the practical preservation of the plant material. Live Resins offers incredibly distinct flavour profiles by preserving phytochemicals such as terpenes and flavonoids. But, how exactly does this cannabis concentrate compare to Budder?
Budder is well-known in the cannabis world because it’s easy to smoke. It is nicely moldable, unlike Shatter or liquid sauces. Plus, even the most inexperienced dabbers can quickly get a scoop on the dab tool when using it.
Both Live Resin and Budder have high levels of terpenes. Budder is one of the most flavorful and aromatic concentrates found on dispensary shelves and is in direct competition with Live Resin but still behind it.
The extraction methods preserve the terpenes while ridding them of heavy metals, toxins and pesticides. Both Budder and Live Resin are flavorful yet pure concentrates that are relatively easy to use.
Typically, there is no noticeable difference in THC potency between wax, Shatter, Crumble, and Live Resin. They all cause a solid high and can be consumed by dabbing. They differ primarily in their consistency, which results from how they are extracted.
Which is Better
It depends on how you define “better!”
Both Budder and Resin induce an immensely aromatic and potent high, but Budder is generally easier to handle than Live Resin. However, managing Live Resin is no problem if you have the right tools on hand.
Budder has a pliable texture that makes dabbing a breeze. Consumers typically use Budder for its calming properties, especially before bed or when they are craving a relaxing day at home. Live Resin and Budder show the full advantage of cannabinoids and terpenes.
Budder is a versatile option for consumption. You can vape it or sprinkle it in your joints. If you choose to use Budder with edibles, first, make sure you heat it in an oven to activate the cannabinoids. And remember, whatever you do, it’s always best to start with small amounts because Budder is a very potent concentrate.
Other Types of Cannabis Concentrates
Here, we will take a quick look at some other types of concentrates, but we won’t go into great detail because there are numerous concentrates. Therefore, it would require a long and tedious article or a book to describe them all in detail.
Wax
Wax is a form of cannabis concentrate produced using a solvent. First, the solvent is mixed with the plant material and then by applying heat at low temperatures and whipping, a product like whipped cream is made.
Wax is an exciting concentrate in the cannabis world. It’s neither solid enough nor liquid enough to be considered an oil. Wax has a high potency with a THC content between 60% – 90%. Usually, it is consumed with a vape or a dab rig.
It is incredibly sticky and can be challenging to handle. Therefore, users know that wax makes quite a mess and contaminates everything if you are not careful enough. So you can use a dab tool to avoid that sticky mess.
Shatter
Shatter is another potent cannabis concentrate that usually is a golden-amber colour. The name refers to the brittle, glassy, and translucent properties that Shatter possesses. Shatter has exclusively built a niche market in the cannabis community.
Shatter is perhaps the most well-known cannabis concentrate, aside from oil. As with other concentrates, the colours vary drastically depending on the strains used to produce the wax or the extraction methods (primarily via BHO or PHO).
Nevertheless, the colour is typically a mixture of orange and yellow. Depending on the extraction method, the texture can be somewhat cloudy or crystal clear.
Consistency of Shatter
Shatter is a cannabis concentrate with a delicate, glass-like consistency that tends to break apart and shatter into smaller pieces when you drop it.
Typically, Shatter is a highly pure marijuana extract, meaning it contains a very high THC level, i.e., often 90% or even more. You can quickly distinguish Shatter from other cannabis concentrates because it has an intense orange-honey colour.
With a THC content of 70% to 90%, Shatter has become well-known among cannabis connoisseurs mainly for its potency. It is the purest type of cannabis that consumers can use. Shatter should always be stored in parchment paper at less than room temperature to avoid a sticky mess.
Shatter; Extraction Process & How to Consume
A Shatter extract is a cannabis concentrate without all the terpenes because the plant matter has been removed during extraction. This is always the case unless the plant matter– terpenes, flavonoids, and other cannabinoids– are added back after it’s purged.
Shatter is made by pouring raw extract onto a thin layer and letting the mixture sit undisturbed for some time. Shatter– packed with psychoactive resins– is highly potent and a highly favourable concentrate. It is most commonly used in a dab rig or vaped for the best results.
Wax vs. Shatter
Wax is similar to Shatter with its high THC concentrations and solid psychoactive effects. However, wax has a stickier and more friable consistency than Shatter, much like earwax.
The difference in consistency results from slight variations in the production method. In addition to the difference in consistency and appearance, wax also breaks down faster than Shatter.
Sauce
The Sauce is a cannabis concentrate with a high THC content and a consistency like applesauce. However, the texture is not quite as liquid as the name suggests. The texture is due to a homogenization process that ensures the desired ratios reflect the full essence of the plant. Usually, a Sauce concentrate has two main ingredients:
- Cannabinoid-rich crystals
- A terpene-infused oil
The concentration of these ingredients can significantly affect potency and flavour.
The terpene-rich oil is mainly responsible for making Sauce concentrates stand out from others. This oil makes for an extremely tasty vaping or dabbing experience. In some cases, the concentrate can contain up to 30% terpenes.
How to Consume
The best way to consume Sauce concentrate is to put it in a dab pen or use it in a dab rig.
Oil
Extract oils are the most popular marijuana concentrates consumed for decades—a few methods for extracting oils, including butane and propane as solvents.
However, the most popular and expensive method is with CO2. This method results in an ideal final product. The other production methods may leave traces of toxins and carcinogens (e.g., solvents) that must be removed before the product is released.
No worries! Most reputable vendors have pure cannabis concentrates that may also be rich in terpenes and cannabinoid profiles. This is especially true for the sellers who follow strict regulations and have testing facilities.
Moon Rocks
Moon Rocks are cannabis concentrates obtained as follows:
- Take a nug of your favourite weed strain or a high-quality flower as a base
- Coating it with any extract (e.g., hash oil, Shatter, Wax, Live Resin, Rosin)
- Rolling it in high-grade kief
The resulting combination is an upscale and potent Flower Nug.
Bottom Line
Live Resin and Budder share many basic similarities. Both cause an aromatic and potent high. However, Budder is usually easier to work with than Live Resin. But if you have the right tools, handling Live Resin is not a problem.
If you are interested to know more about cannabis concentrates or want to try them, please get in touch today.
