New users tend to end up in a rabbit hole thanks to the many forms dabs can take. I don’t blame them, because the universe of cannabis concentrates can be wide. So, let’s go a bit deep into the different types of dabs and their consistencies.
First of all, we have to be clear about what is a concentrate. As the name suggests, these are concentrated forms of marijuana. In simple terms, the cannabis plant undergoes a process called extraction, which removes the extra plant material and leaves only the cannabinoids and terpenes.
If you want to know a bit more about terpenes visit the blog in which I wrote about them. I will also be writing more about cannabinoids soon, but for the moment, let’s stay on the topic of dabs.
Now that you understand what is a concentrate, you probably know why they are a great option for cannabis consumers who want to increase the intensity of their high, as well as quite popular among flavor connoisseurs seeking to experience exquisite terpene profiles.
Despite dabbing is the most popular way to consume marijuana concentrates, dabbing is simply the process of vaporization and consumption of a cannabis concentrate. However, not all dab pens can dab all concentrates. So, the question of what types of concentrates are “dabs” is very relevant.
Let’s start this quick revision of some of the most popular dabs.
Shatter is a glass-like concentrate that as its name hints, most of the time it “shatters” into many pieces. Known as the most popular of all concentrates it usually looks solid, smooth, and clear or amber in color. Some kinds are slightly sticky.
As a technical note, this type of concentrate is made using BHO extraction, meaning they use butane as the main extraction solvent.
Because of its consistency, it’s easy to smoke and handle. So, if you’re looking for a hard-high, shatter is likely the concentrate for you.
Crumble it’s a concentrate that during the production process transforms into a soft and fragile body that crumbles easily. It comes in many sizes, but it can be broken down into a perfect size dab to put inside an amazing dab pen device, like SLASH.
Compared to Shutter that is usually stored in parchment paper because of its initial sticking consistency, crumble is better stored in silicone or glass jars.
Very popular among pen vaporizer owners, Wax has a yellowish almost brown color. The name, again, tells you a lot about its waxy and sticky texture and should only be handled with a dab tool.
There are ranges in its texture, allowing you to find Wax that is less sticky and crumblier, way to the other extreme of having a more honey-like texture. As with crumble, Wax can be found in silicone containers or small glass jars.
No matter what type of Wax you choose, you’ll be satisfied by dropping a puddle inside your dab pen. Don’t forget to visit your wax pen store near.
Budder is a concentrate very similar to Wax. However, Budder has an opaque finish.
Rosin is a popular type of dab that is also known as the most natural extract available. It looks like a yellowish shatter but not as solid and more oil-like.
Differing from previous concentrates, Rosin is made without the use of a solvent like butane because it’s just the result of squeezing it with a hydraulic heat press.
Because the pressure is being applied to cannabis buds, Rosin contains many of the terpenes present in the plant itself, making it a favorite among terpene-loving stoners.
As a side note, I honestly think it’s a hit because it can be done “at home”. Really! Google it and you can find people making it with a hair straightener, parchment paper, and hand-applied pressure.
A concentrate extracted from live plants. Live Resin contains higher terpene profiles than any other concentrates and it’s the one that delivers the purest plant aromas. The reason is that all other cannabis concentrates use dry plants. Because the process to produce this type of concentrate is more complex, its price is also higher.
100% recommended for consumers with more experienced taste buds and best vape pen vaporizer users.
This crystallized form of cannabis is super concentrated and has a high level of the main psychoactive compound in cannabis. They support up to 99% of THCA! For that same reason, it’s not advisable to smoke them directly; in other words, mix them. If you are fairly new in the cannabis world, better give them a while now that they are usually used by experienced smokers.
Diamonds are fancy and so it’s their consumption. Crystalline THC can only activate by adding heat to it, so ingesting them or adding them to edibles will be a waste and will not reap any effect. The best method of consumption is dabbing. So, load that SLASH!
As you might already discover, like flowers, there are many ways to consume concentrates. Ultimately, it's a simple matter of personal preference. However, compared to smoking flowers that on average have 10%-25% THC, by dabbing concentrates you get to experience on average 60%-80% THC levels.
Get your best portable dab pen and dab pick tool, and start vaping.
Stay high!
