As the cannabis industry continues to evolve, so do the consumers. In fact, many cannabis consumers today have evolved into connoisseurs with sophisticated pallets demanding a higher standard in their cannabis products. This highly-competitive market forces extraction engineers and producers to look for the next big thing in cannabis. Full-spectrum concentrates are a perfect example of the evolution of a cannabis product designed to impress the connoisseur.
The concept of dabbing, or vaporizing cannabis oil extracts is not new. In fact, certain resources report this consumption method originated more than four decades ago. Products like wax and shatter are fairly commonplace in most dispensaries today; however, with the legal market proliferating, better refinement technologies and improved processes are leading to premium full-spectrum cannabis extracts.
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What are Full-Spectrum Concentrates?
Although quite potent in THC, the process of making cannabis concentrates like wax and shatter can often destroy or dilute terpenes in the plant material, which, in turn, dilutes the experience for the consumer. Terpenes are proteins found in plants which give them the familiar aromas and flavors, such as citrus, pine, or berry. Without the terpenes, extracts not only lose their aroma, they lose their flavor. Full-spectrum concentrates preserve these compounds for full flavor and for the benefit of what is called, "The Entourage Effect."
The Full-Spectrum Advantage
Full-spectrum cannabis extracts preserve the entire profile of cannabinoids, terpenes, flavonoids, and other lesser compounds, yet removes things like fats, waxes and lipids. The final extract separates into two types of exquisite, top-shelf products called High Terpene Full Spectrum Extracts (HTFSE) and High Cannabinoid Full Spectrum Extracts (HCFSE) which are rich in flavor and highly potent.
New consumers should approach these products with caution. As highly potent products, dosing should be kept to a minimum and slowly built-up over time. Large doses with potent THC concentrates can lead to unwanted side effects.
High Terpene Full Spectrum Extracts (HTFSE)
HTFSE is not live resin, although the two are often confused. Also known as "Terp Sauce," a true HTFSE is produced from dried, cured flower, whereas live resin is produced from cryogenically frozen, fresh plant material. HTFSE is a viscous, clear liquid typically containing 13 percent or higher terpene content with 45-70 percent cannabinoid content.
HTFSE can also be confused with High Terpene Extract, or HTE, which is generally low in cannabinoid content. HTE is most commonly used as a flavor additive and potency booster for bowls, blunts or joints.
High Cannabinoid Full Spectrum Extracts (HCFSE)
The other product produced as a full spectrum concentrate is high cannabinoid full spectrum extract. Similar to HTFSE, terpene content in this product is very high, often exceeding 20 percent, however, THC potency can reach levels as high as 90 percent or greater.
Highly sought after by cannabis connoisseurs, HCFSE is a solvent-free, pure-plant extract. After undergoing a vacuum purge process, over time, the THCa starts to solidify into its natural crystal form and create large, crystal formations in the sauce, which look like diamonds. Thus, the term "Diamond Mining" to describe the process of collecting the biggest crystals from the terp sauce.
Full-spectrum concentrates bring out the best of what the plant has to offer in a condensed, highly-potent extract, which also provides the consumer with a rich, full-bodied flavor most representative of the original plant.
