Cannabis concentrates Portland consumers choose range from beginner-friendly products like kief and crumble to highly potent options like shatter and live resin. At Greeley Gallery, we help customers explore the many cannabis concentrates Portland consumers choose for flavor, potency, and convenience.
For those unfamiliar with the world of cannabis concentrates, it may at first appear both alluring and overwhelming. Alluring due to the high potency and exciting cannabis high it creates, but the sheer selection, with terms like “extract” and “concentrates” used interchangeably, and seen products labeled “shatter” or “wax” can be intimidating. But have no fear. We at Greeley Gallery, our cannabis dispensary near the University of Portland, are happy to shine a light on cannabis concentrates and remove any shadow of uncertainty.
While cannabis concentrates are more potent than smoking dried marijuana flower, many people are drawn to them precisely for their higher potency, as well as their efficiency, purity, and flavor – all of which are also stronger than your averaged dried flower and achieved in smaller amounts. When it comes down to it, there are two primary categories of cannabis concentrates: those produced using solvents and those made without them. In this article, we’ll discuss both and share our favorite products.
What Are Cannabis Concentrates?
The most significant difference between concentrates and other forms of cannabis is their potency. As the term “concentrates” suggests, cannabis concentrates are highly concentrated cannabis products compared to the raw plant.
For instance, dried cannabis flower typically contains between 1% and 30% THC, the psychoactive compound responsible for the high weed is known for. Whereas cannabis concentrates can contain up to 90% THC. The reason for their high potency comes down to how cannabis concentrates are made.
The process involves separating the active ingredients of cannabis from the plant material. More specifically, it involves isolating cannabis trichomes – resin-rich structures containing cannabinoids like THC and CBD, as well as terpenes, which are the compounds responsible for the aroma and flavor of cannabis – from the plant’s leaves, buds, and stems.
There are several ways to complete this process, which produce various types of cannabis concentrates.
Understanding cannabis concentrates Portland shoppers encounter can make it easier to choose products that match your preferences and experience level.
Cannabis Concentrates Portland Shoppers Should Know
While there are several methods for producing cannabis concentrate products, they can be divided into two broad categories: those made with solvents, known as extracts, and those made without solvents, often known as hash.
Both approaches successfully isolate and concentrate the active ingredients of cannabis into a highly potent form, but they vary in texture, taste, color, and consumption method.
Some cannabis concentrates are produced using solvents, such as carbon dioxide, butane, propane, ethanol, or alcohol, which extract cannabinoids, flavonoids, and terpenes from the cannabis plant, yielding a concentrated, potent form. Afterward, some may also be combined with a carrier oil, such as hemp seed, avocado, or grape seed oil, for vaping or ingestion.
Solvent Based Cannabis Concentrates (Extracts)
Now we’ll discuss some of our customers’ favorite solvent-based cannabis concentrates at our dispensary near the University of Portland. Understanding the different cannabis concentrates Portland shoppers encounter can make it easier to find the right product for your experience level.
Crumble
Best For: Dabbing, edibles, and sprinkle on flower
Many cannabis concentrate options get their names from their appearance, and crumble is no different. Crumble is one of the driest types of concentrate, known for its nearly powder-like texture that resembles dehydrated honeycomb crumbs. It ranges in color from pale to deep yellow, which may change to amber with age.
As with other concentrates, a chemical solvent is used to extract the active ingredients from cannabis, but what sets crumble apart is that the extraction process takes place over a long period at low temperatures, resulting in a distinctively dry, crumbly texture.
Crumble is a great option for those just beginning their cannabis concentrate journey, as it is ideal for sprinkling a bit on top of dried cannabis flower. Just add a pinch to your bowl or a joint to enjoy a boost.
Shatter
Best For: Dabbing, vaping
Shatter is one of the most well-known types of cannabis concentrate. Similar to how crumble was named after its crumbly texture, shatter concentrates are thin, glassy, and brittle pieces that shatter when broken.
What sets shatter apart is that after solvents soak up all the terpenes and other active ingredients, it undergoes a second process known as ‘vacuum oven purging,’ which evaporates any leftover solvent and most of the moisture, to create the smooth, glass-like texture.
Wax
Best For: Dabbing, vaporizing
While shatter and crumble have very specific textures that align with their names, wax is more versatile as it doesn’t appear like wax from, say, a candle. Instead, its nicknames, budder or frosting, often describe wax the best because its texture is smooth and soft, like creamy budder or soft icing.
Like shatter and crumble, wax cannabis concentrates are created using a solvent-based extraction method, but they differ from the other during the final stages of their process. The whipped, creamy consistency of wax comes from the substance being continually agitated during the cooldown stage, during which it is whipped for several hours, which helps evaporate the remaining solvent molecules and preserves more terpenes compared to other processes.
Live Resin
Best For: Vaping, dabbing, and adding to dried flower
Live resin is a thick and sticky cannabis concentrate with a strong aroma thanks to its full spectrum of terpenes. That said, live resin isn’t typically as potent as other concentrates, like wax or shatter. While it will still get you high and is stronger than non-concentrated cannabis products, consuming live resin is more about enjoying the full plant profile of terpenes and cannabinoids.
Live resin concentrates have a very different creation journey from many others. For instance, typically, the source of cannabis concentrates comes from dried and cured plant material. However, the “live” in live resin means it is produced using fresh plant material that’s been harvested at peak potency, then flash-frozen to lock in volatile cannabinoids and terpenes that can get lost during the curing process. This method produces one of the widest terpene profiles in live resin compared to other forms of cannabis concentrates.
Our favorite resin products here at Greeley Gallery, located near the University of Portland, is Bobsled dabs and cartridges.
Non-Solvent Based (hash)
Then there are the cannabis concentrate options that don’t use any solvents during production. Instead, this group of concentrates is made using physical methods, such as freezing and pressing, sifting, or using heat and water to extract the active ingredients from cannabis plant materials. The lack of solvent during production makes these cannabis concentrates the perfect option for cannabis purists.
Hash
Best For: Sprinkled atop dried flower and dabbing
Hash is often used as an umbrella term for all solventless cannabis concentrates, likely in part because the final product varies in potency and texture. Sometimes it is soft, sticky, hard, and even brittle depending on the cannabis strains used and their production process.
Part of the reason hash has several variations is that it’s easily one of the most ancient cannabis concentrates ever, as humans have created it for thousands of years. Traditionally, hash was made by physically separating trichomes from the cannabis plant material and then compressing them into balls or blocks. However, these days, hash is typically produced using ice-water agitation, which provides a more refined separation.
Our favorite hash product at Greeley Gallery has to be Bubbles Bubble Hash.
Rosin and Live Rosin
Best For: Adding to dried flower, vaping, dabbing
As with Live Resin, the “live” in live rosin simply means the cannabis plant matter used to make it was frozen. Meanwhile, dried cannabis plant material is used for rosin. Outside of their source material, rosin and live rosin are both made using a rosin press in which heated plates press nuggets of marijuana.
The combination of heat and pressure extracts a hot, gooey extract. The resulting rosin (and live rosin) tastes like the cannabis was pressed from, except with a greater flavor and a stronger high.
Kief
Use:Sprinkling on top dried flower
If hash is the oldest form of cannabis concentrate, kief is the simplest because it consists of trichome glands — the glands that secrete resin, where terpenes and cannabinoids like THC and CBD are produced — that naturally separate from marijuana buds.
The result is a fine, powdery concentrate that’s typically collected using screens or grinders. You’ve likely unwittingly produced kief already without realizing it. Because of this process, kief has many nicknames, including dry sift, dry sieve, and sift – all related to its powdery appearance. Kief can be enjoyed on its own or can be further processed into hash or rosin.
We at Greeley Gallery LOVE Bubble’s Kief.
Choosing the Right Cannabis Concentrate
Whether you’re new to concentrates or experienced with dabbing, cannabis concentrates Portland customers enjoy vary widely in texture, potency, and terpene profiles. Choosing among cannabis concentrates Portland consumers enjoy often comes down to your preferred consumption method and desired experience. Live resin is popular for flavor, rosin appeals to solventless enthusiasts, and shatter or wax are often chosen for potency. Exploring cannabis concentrates Portland consumers trust can help you discover products that fit your lifestyle and preferences.
If you’re interested in trying cannabis concentrates Portland consumers trust, our team is happy to help you find the right option.
Final Thoughts
Beyond its benefits and pure enjoyment, one of Greeley Gallery’s favorite things about cannabis is its versatility. Since Oregon legalized cannabis in 2014, the industry has exploded with cannabis options – from thousands of dried flower strains to smoke, along with a wide selection of edibles and beverages, and a plethora of cannabis concentrates to choose from.
You’ll find a wide range of high-quality, locally produced cannabis concentrates on display at our cannabis dispensary near the University of Portland. Our friendly and knowledgeable staff are happy to make recommendations and answer any questions you may have.
Greeley Gallery is a Portland dispensary located on Greeley Ave near Arbor Lodge Park. We’re open daily from 7 AM to 10 PM for your convenience. View our menu and stop by anytime.Stop in today and mention the code word “Greeley Love” to receive a FREE hat or beanie with your purchase! We’re located on the corner of N. Greeley Ave and Rosa Parks way. Click the links below for directions.
Google Maps: https://bit.ly/greeley-googlemaps
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