Resin vs. Live Resin vs. Rosin: What’s the Difference
While resin, live resin, and rosin are all cannabis concentrates, each product is made differently and offers unique properties in terms of flavor, potency, and method of extraction. Here's a breakdown of the differences between these three types of concentrates:
Resin
Resin can refer to two different things in the cannabis world:
- Pipe Resin: The sticky, tar-like substance that accumulates in your smoking device (pipe, bong, etc.) after you smoke cannabis. This resin is primarily composed of leftover cannabinoids and tar, often considered low-quality due to its degraded nature.
- Cured Resin: This term refers to a concentrate made through a solvent-based extraction process applied to dried cannabis flower. The extraction uses solvents like butane or propane, which are pushed through the dried plant material to separate the cannabinoids and terpenes. The result is a concentrate, often referred to as cured resin sauce, which may have a somewhat muted flavor compared to live resin.
Key Characteristics of Resin:
- Typically refers to leftover plant matter (pipe resin) or solvent-extracted concentrate (cured resin).
- Flavor: Cured resin has a somewhat muted or less fresh flavor compared to live resin.
- Cannabinoids: Lower in terpenes and cannabinoids than live resin due to the extraction process.
Live Resin
Live resin is a highly aromatic, flavorful cannabis concentrate that’s made using freshly harvested cannabis. The plant is immediately flash-frozen to preserve all of its natural compounds—particularly terpenes and cannabinoids. The flash-freezing method ensures that these compounds are preserved at their peak, offering a fuller, richer experience.
After freezing, the cannabis is put through a careful extraction process (usually hydrocarbon extraction using butane or propane) to pull the essential oils from the plant material. This process captures a higher concentration of terpenes, making live resin incredibly aromatic and flavorful.
Key Characteristics of Live Resin:
- Made from flash-frozen cannabis immediately after harvest to preserve terpenes and cannabinoids.
- Flavor: Intense and true-to-strain due to the high terpene content.
- Cannabinoids: Retains a more complete and potent cannabinoid profile than cured resin.
- Extraction Process: Uses hydrocarbon extraction (butane or propane).
Rosin
Rosin is a solventless concentrate, meaning no chemical solvents like butane or propane are used. Instead, rosin is extracted using heat and pressure applied to dried, cured cannabis (or sometimes fresh material, like live rosin). When the plant material is pressed, the trichomes (the resin glands of the plant) are separated from the plant material and form a sticky, gooey concentrate.
Unlike live resin, which is made from fresh cannabis, live rosin uses flash-frozen cannabis for extraction. This preserves the aromatic terpenes and cannabinoids while still using the solventless method of rosin extraction.
Key Characteristics of Rosin:
- Extracted using heat and pressure—a solventless method.
- Flavor: Mild to robust, depending on the quality of the starting material and the extraction method.
- Cannabinoids: Less potent than live resin in terms of cannabinoid profile, as it does not capture as many compounds.
- Extraction Process: Uses heat and pressure only (or sometimes a mechanical press).
Live Resin vs. Other Concentrates: Key Differences
While all cannabis concentrates are potent, live resin stands apart due to its unique extraction process and the method used to preserve its terpene and cannabinoid profile. Here’s a quick comparison:
Feature Live Resin Cured Resin Rosin Live Rosin Plant Material Used Freshly harvested and frozen Dried and cured cannabis Dried and cured cannabis Freshly harvested and frozen Extraction Method Hydrocarbon extraction (butane, propane)Solvent-based extraction Heat and pressure (solventless)Heat and pressure (solventless)Flavor ProfileRich, aromatic, true-to-strainLess aromatic, muted flavorsMild, depending on starting materialRich, aromatic, true-to-strainTerpene PreservationHigh, due to flash-freezingLower, as the plant is driedModerateHigh, due to flash-freezingPotencyHighModerate to HighModerateHighBest ForFlavorful experience, true-to-strain effectsMore affordable concentrate optionsClean, solvent-free experiencePremium, solvent-free concentrate
Which One Should You Choose?
- Live Resin: If you’re looking for the richest flavor and a full-spectrum cannabis experience, live resin is the way to go. Its flash-freezing process ensures that you get the freshest, most aromatic concentrate available.
- Cured Resin: If you’re looking for a more affordable option with decent flavor and potency, cured resin can be a good choice. However, its flavor is not as pronounced as live resin due to the drying and curing process.
- Rosin: For those who want a solventless concentrate with clean extraction methods, rosin is the best option. It’s perfect for those who prefer a natural, chemical-free experience.
- Live Rosin: If you want the best of both worlds—a solventless extraction method with flash-frozen cannabis for maximum terpene preservation, live rosin offers the best quality.
Understanding the differences between these concentrates can help you make an informed decision based on your preferences, whether you’re looking for flavor, potency, or a specific extraction method.