Live Resin vs Distillate

In the ever-evolving world of cannabis consumption, the diversity of products and approaches continues to expand, providing enthusiasts with a plethora of options to explore. While traditional cured flowers and grinded weed remain a popular choices, cannabis concentrates have surged in popularity, offering a more potent and refined experience.

Among these concentrates, live resin and distillate are two unique players, each with its own distinct properties and characteristics. In this article, we provide a simple introduction to cannabis concentrates, comparing and contrasting live resins and distillates to help you understand their differences and make an informed choice.

Different Cannabis Concentrates

During the transition from the flowering stage to final maturation, cannabis flowers develop microscopic, mushroom-shaped sacs known as trichomes. Trichomes generate a resinous substance that contains the acidic form of various cannabinoids like THC, CBD, CBG, CBC, CBN, and many others. This resin is also rich in terpenes, flavonoids, and other active plant compounds.

A cannabis concentrate is essentially a concentrated accumulation of cannabinoids and terpenes from trichomes, encapsulating the full spectrum of cannabis's effects, aromas, and flavors.

What is Live Resin?

Live resin is a popular form of cannabis concentrate extracted by flash-freezing fresh cannabis flowers. This unique process helps preserve cannabis properties that might otherwise be lost through traditional extraction methods, such as ethanol and butane.

Typically containing around 70% cannabinoids and 10-20% terpenes, live resin offers a potent combination of purified cannabinoids and preserved terpenes in a single extract. It's commonly enjoyed through vaping, dabbing, or using a bowl or blunt for consumption.

What is Distillate?

Distillate, often referred to as 'liquid gold,' stands out as a distinctive type of cannabinoid concentrate. Unlike other concentrates produced by eliminating chlorophyll, waxes, and unwanted materials, distillate undergoes a unique process – heating to induce vaporization.

This method effectively separates cannabinoids from other compounds, yielding a final product that boasts a striking golden hue and exceptional purity. Typically, distillate contains cannabinoid concentrations surpassing 95%.

While the flavor of distillate can vary based on the specific strain, it tends to have a subdued flavor profile due to the removal of most terpenes.

Live Resin vs. Distillate: Which is Better for You?

Since live resin and distillate have their own things going on, people often have different tastes. When you stack up these concentrates side by side, the following tips help you figure out what suits your style.

Potency

Distillate typically boasts a higher cannabinoid concentration than live resin, theoretically making it more potent. This makes it an appealing option for users with a high tolerance or those seeking intense effects.

However, despite its lower cannabinoid content, some individuals may experience a stronger high from live resin. This could be attributed to the entourage effect, where the combination of cannabinoids and terpenes enhances the overall experience.

If you're chasing really high cannabis potency, check out our previous guide on how to grow buds with higher THC level.

Flavor

Live resin offers a richer and more vibrant taste, thanks to its abundant terpene content. On the other hand, distillate offers a cleaner and milder flavor profile, as terpenes are removed during the distillation process.

Your preference between the two may hinge on your personal taste and desired cannabis experience. Additionally, the quality of the product can also significantly influence its flavor.

Cost

In terms of affordability, live resin usually comes out on top compared to distillate. Live resins range from $20 to $80 per gram on the lower end, while premium varieties can reach upwards of $100 per gram.

Distillate prices have seen a slight decline, but they typically remain steady, ranging from $20 to $60 per gram in legal markets. Bulk purchases or larger quantities may lead to lower prices per gram. However, high-quality or branded distillate products may fall on the higher end of this price spectrum.

Smell

Live resin gives off that classic weed smell when you light it up, thanks to its terpene richness. Great if you're into that, but maybe not so much if you're trying to keep things low-key, especially in places like apartments.

Distillate, on the other hand, doesn't really have much of a smell when you use it, keeping things pretty discreet.

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How to Smoke Live Resin?

To enjoy your live resin, here's a laid-back guide:

1. Get Your Gear

Grab a dab rig—it's perfect for concentrates like live resin. Make sure it's clean for top-notch flavor.

2. Scoop Your Dab

Use a dab tool to scoop up a tiny bit of live resin, like a grain of rice. Then, plop it onto the dabber for easy transfer.

3. Heat Things Up

Fire up your torch and heat the nail of your dab rig until it's hot enough to vaporize the resin. Let it cool a bit for the best flavor.

4. Dab and Inhale

Once the nail is just right, drop your live resin onto it with the dab tool. Take a slow, smooth inhale as you do to catch all that tasty vapor.

5. Let It Out and Chill

xhale slowly and savor the awesome flavor and effects of the live resin. Want more? Repeat the process, adjusting heat and dab size to your liking.

6. Clean Up

After your sesh, use a cotton swab or Q-tip to wipe away any leftover resin. This keeps your rig tasting fresh for next time.

FAQs

1. Does distillate provide a stronger high than live resin?

Typically, yes. Distillate tends to pack more cannabinoids, resulting in a robust and longer-lasting high. However, individual reactions may vary due to the presence of terpenes and minor cannabinoids.

2. Is it safe to consume live resin and distillate?

Absolutely. When sourced from trustworthy brands and with some prior cannabis experience, both live resin and distillate are considered safe for consumption.