While cannabis concentrates are a variety of cannabis to appreciate, let’s face it, they can get a little confusing. With type names that sound a lot alike and some that even look the same but have different names, it can be difficult to understand cannabis concentrates even when they’re right in front of you.
Two of the most commonly confused concentrates are cured resin vs live resin. What’s the difference between cured resin and live resin? Check out the answers in this head-to-head comparison of cured vs live resin below.
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Live Resin vs Cured Resin – A Closer Look
Both cured and live resin are potent cannabis concentrates. In the world of weed, cannabis concentrates are extracts taken directly from cannabis buds that contain less plant matter and a more concentrated level of cannabinoids like THC and CBD. How and when these extracts are derived, purified, and processed has a bearing on what the end product becomes. Live resin and cured resin have similar but unique paths before they land on dispensary menus.
What is cured resin?
Cured resin is a cannabis concentrate derived from cannabis buds that have already been cured. Once cannabis buds are harvested and trimmed, they are left to cure, which allows time for moisture levels to dissipate and cannabinoids and terpenes to get locked in. Once the buds are cured, processors use different methods such as heat, solvents, or pressure to separate the resinous trichomes from the bud. The end result is cured resin.
What is live resin?
Live resin is still “alive” when it is harvested. In other words, cannabis flowers are harvested, flash frozen before they are cured, and then the trichomes are harvested while the fresh plant is still frozen. Different methods may be used to separate the resinous trichomes from the frozen cannabis buds, including using either high pressure or solvents.
Similarities and Differences Between Live and Cured Resin – Head-to-Head
Consistency
- Live Resin: Thick, oily or waxy consistency
- Cured Resin: Slightly sugary, oily consistency
The differences in processing between live resin vs cured resin causes the end concentrates to have slightly different consistencies. It is not uncommon for the cured resin to be less fluid and more crystallized, while live resin tends to be more fluid or smooth.
Potency
- Live Resin: Highly potent
- Cured Resin: Highly potent
Regardless of whether you’re using live or cured resin, both should be respected because they are both highly potent substances. The trichomes contain the bulk of the THC in the plant. Therefore, separating the resinous trichomes leaves you with a concentrate that can run as much as 80 to 90 percent THC.
Terpene Concentrations
- Live Resin: Slightly fewer terpenes
- Cured Resin: Slightly more terpenes
Live resin contains a lot of terpenes, but the flower used to make the concentrate did not go through the curing process to lock in those compounds. Therefore, cured resin tends to have a better terpene profile.
Flavor
- Live Resin: Fresher, “greener” taste
- Cured Resin: More complex, terpene-rich flavor
Live resin often contains a fresher flavor due to the fact the extract is taken immediately after harvest before the plant matter itself breaks down. By contrast, cured resin is extracted after some of the plant compounds break down, which means you get more profound terpene flavors.
Reviews
- Live Resin: Excellent reviews
- Cured Resin: Excellent reviews
Regardless of whether you are looking at reviews for live vs cured resin, both have really good reviews. Both concentrated are considered some of the best available if you prefer to actually taste the terpenes from the plant. Both are highly potent, which is often preferred, and the overall user experience can be similar. Essentially, both live and cured resin have good qualities to appreciate, and most people appreciate them both for similar reasons.
Shop for Both Cured and Live Resin at Silver Therapeutics
Now that you know the difference between live and cured resin, you’re probably anxious and try both unique concentrates for yourself. If so, Silver Therapeutics is the dispensary to visit to get your hands on only the best. And we have locations across three states to make sure you have a dispensary nearby.
Be sure to take a look at our dispensary menus in Berwick, Portland, and South Portland, ME, Palmer and Williamstown, MA, and Bennington, VT, to explore all the best live and cured resin, as well as other cannabis concentrates.
Ready to get an even closer look at cannabis concentrates? Check out Budder, Batter & Wax: What’s the Difference? on the Silver Blog.
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