Concentrate
A concentrate is what you get when you process flower to extract and concentrate the active compounds while removing most of the plant material. The result is a potent product that comes in various textures and forms — from stable shatters to sticky waxes to liquid oils.
Key features:
- Significantly higher potency than flower
- Various consistencies: shatter, wax, budder, sauce, oil
- Different extraction methods create different products
- Consumed via dabbing, vaping, or infusion
- Terpene profiles vary by starting material and process
Extraction methods fall into two categories: solvent-based and solventless. Solvent-based extraction uses substances like butane, propane, or CO2 to dissolve compounds from plant material. The solvent is then removed through purging, leaving concentrated extract. Solventless methods use heat, pressure, or ice water to mechanically separate compounds — think rosin or bubble hash.
The consistency you end up with depends on the extraction method, starting material, and post-processing. Shatter is glass-like and stable. Wax is opaque and crumbly. Budder is creamy and spreadable. Sauce is terpene-rich with liquid and crystalline components. Live resin (made from fresh-frozen material rather than dried flower) preserves more terpenes for enhanced flavor.
Potency ranges widely but generally sits between 60%-90% active compounds compared to flower's 15%-30%. This concentration means you use much smaller amounts — a dab the size of a grain of rice delivers effects similar to a much larger amount of flower. Terpene content affects both flavor and the overall experience through a phenomenon known as the entourage effect.
Using concentrates: Concentrates require specific equipment based on the form. Stable concentrates, such as shatter and wax, work well in dab rigs with bangers. You heat the quartz, let it cool slightly, and then apply the concentrate using a loading tool. Oils and more liquid concentrates are compatible with vape batteries or concentrate pens. Some concentrates, like rosin, can be added to flower in pipes or joints. Storage matters: Keep concentrates in airtight containers (preferably glass or silicone) away from light and heat to preserve potency and terpenes. Most people use small silicone or glass jars specifically designed for concentrates.