Solventless Cannabis Concentrates: A Clean, Potent Alternative in the Cannabis Market

Solventless Cannabis Concentrates: A Clean, Potent Alternative in the Cannabis Market

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As cannabis users explore the variety of product options on the legal market, we're seeing a surge in the popularity and variety of cannabis concentrate (also known as “extracts”) products on the market. Among these, one type, in particular, is capturing more of the attention of enthusiasts and newcomers - solventless cannabis concentrates. If you're looking to explore the latest and greatest in cannabis consumption, solventless concentrates offer a pure, potent, and some would argue - a more flavorful option.

What are Solventless Cannabis Extracts?

Solventless concentrates are a type of cannabis product that are made by extracting cannabinoids and terpenes from the plant material made using only mechanical or physical methods like heat, cold, pressure, or agitation.

Common solventless concentrate types include products like our Live Rosin and Moroccan Melt Hash - each offering a unique set of properties and experiences. Unlike solvent-based extracts, such as distillates and resins, solventless concentrates preserve the native biochemical profile of phytocannabinoids and terpenoids of the plant produced completely without using hydrocarbons.

How are Solventless Extracts Made?

The process for making a solventless extract centers around extracting trichomes—the near-microscopic cannabinoid and terpene-rich glands present on the cannabis plant’s surface. Solventless extraction uses heat, pressure, ice water, and/or agitation to remove the trichomes so they can be isolated and concentrated. Hand-sifting and rubbing to make hash is one of the earliest known methods for making cannabis concentrates.

This process offers advantages over solvent-based methods.

Benefits of Solventless Cannabis Concentrates

• The extraction processes eliminate the exposure of the cannabis material to any chemicals – a major plus for health-conscious consumers and connoisseurs pursuing a "clean" cannabis experience. Because they don’t involve solvents, there's zero risk of consuming unwanted residues.

• Because it doesn't alter the cannabis plant's chemical composition, the resulting solventless extract is a product that preserves the true-to-plant terpenes and flavor profile of the flower.

• The potency of solventless concentrates is another significant factor in their growing popularity. These concentrates are rich in cannabinoids and terpenes, offering a robust and flavorful experience that's hard to match with traditional smoking methods.

Using Solventless Concentrates

Solventless cannabis concentrates can be consumed in a variety of ways, including:

Dabbing

This method involves heating a small amount of cannabis concentrate in a “dab rig” and inhaling the vapor. The relatively low heat transforms the concentrate into a vapor instantly, delivering a potent dose of cannabinoids without combustion.

Learn more about dabbing here

Vaping

Vaping cannabis concentrates involves a vaporizer, a device that heats the solventless concentrate in a self-contained cartridge, causing the active ingredients to evaporate into a vapor that’s inhaled. Our Live Rosin Terp Tanks don’t involve combustion, making them the preferred choice for those who want a smooth experience.

Infused Edibles

Cannabis extracts can be infused into foods or drinks to create edibles like Revolution Live Rosin Gummies and Live Rosin Surp Drink Mixer Keep in mind that the effects from edibles take longer to kick in as they have to pass through the digestive system, but the effects are often stronger and longer lasting compared to combustion and vaping methods.

For beginners, vaping or adding solventless extracts to edibles might be the more comfortable starting point, while experienced users may prefer the potency and rich flavors that come along with dabbing.

Solvent-based vs. Solventless Concentrates

Solvent-based and solventless concentrates are quite different in their extraction processes. Both methods aim to isolate the beneficial compounds of cannabis, such as cannabinoids, terpenes, and flavonoids, but they use different techniques to do so.

Solvent-based Extracts:

In solvent-based extraction, a hydrocarbon solvent mixture (like butane, ethanol, or CO2) is used to separate the resinous compounds of the cannabis plant from the plant material itself. The solvent is then purged in a closed system leaving behind a highly concentrated substance that can be later refined into different consistencies (budder, badder, sauce, jelly, etc.) depending on the final product. While this method is effective in terms of potency and yield, it requires expert execution to ensure that all residual hydrocarbons are properly purged from the final product.

Solventless Extracts:

Solventless (or solvent-free) extracts, on the other hand, do not use any added chemicals to extract the cannabinoids and terpenes. Instead, they use physical methods such as heat and pressure (as in rosin) or agitation of frozen plant matter, as in bubble hash. The goal is to mechanically separate the trichomes (the part of the plant where cannabinoids and terpenes are concentrated) from the rest of the plant matter. Solventless extracts are considered to be “purer” and more “natural” since they don't introduce any substances during the separation process. However, the extraction process can be more labor-intensive, and the yields may be much lower compared to solvent-based methods.

Final Thoughts

Solventless concentrates offer a unique, pure, and flavorful option for both the casual consumer and the seasoned connoisseur. We invite you to explore our growing list of solventless products.

Share your experiences with us on Instagram @revcanna

Remember, always check local laws and regulations and consume cannabis responsibly. Let's continue the journey towards a greener future, one puff (or bite) at a time.

Sources:

Novel Solventless Extraction Technique to Preserve Cannabinoid and Terpenoid Profiles of Fresh Cannabis Inflorescence

History of hashish comes full circle in modern use

Solventless Cannabis Extraction Methods

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