Rosin stands out as a pure, solvent-free cannabis concentrate. It is crafted through a process that employs heat and pressure instead of harsh chemicals or solvents, making it a purer form of cannabis extract. However, this method of extraction usually results in a higher price tag compared to solvent-based concentrates.
Dive deeper into the ways to enjoy rosin and discover how you can produce it yourself at home in the following sections.
What Is Rosin?
Rosin is a high-quality cannabis extract produced by applying heat and pressure to cannabis plant material. This is achieved by placing the plant material between heated plates in a press and applying pressure, which releases a potent oil. The absence of solvents or chemicals in its production makes rosin a cleaner, more natural concentrate. Originally, this technique was developed for producing rosin used on violin bows, lending the concentrate its name.
The process of making rosin is quick and straightforward, requiring no further purification or dilution steps. With a homemade rosin press or basic tools found around the house, creating rosin is accessible to anyon.
Rosin is typically consumed using a dab rig, classifying it as a dab. It can also be filled into cartridges for vaping. Unlike waxes that are solvent-based, rosin is free of such substances, including butane.
What Is Live Rosin?
Live rosin represents a special category of rosin, produced in the same manner but starting with flash-frozen cannabis flowers instead of dried and cured ones. The technique of flash-freezing helps preserve fragile terpenes and cannabinoids, offering a superior quality compared to traditional drying and curing methods. For cannabis connoisseurs, live rosin is highly prized for its exceptional flavor and aroma, achieved without resorting to chemical processes.
When considering live resin versus rosin, it’s important to note that “live” indicates the use of flash-frozen cannabis in the production. Hence, while the resin is a concentrate made with solvents, the live resin also incorporates solvents but starts from flash-frozen marijuana.
The Genesis of Rosin
The origins of rosin have sparked considerable debate, but it’s widely acknowledged that the cannabis community was first introduced to rosin in 2006 by a forum member named Compashon on ICMag. It wasn’t until 2015, however, that it started to draw significant attention, thanks to Phil “Soilgrown” Salazar. Salazar began to experiment with it, sharing images online as he sought to repurpose lower-grade hash.
During an attempt to compress the hash, Salazar observed that resin began to exude from its sides, rendering the original hash depleted and ineffective. Intrigued by this accidental discovery, he experimented further by placing a piece of hash in parchment paper and applying heat with a hot dab nail, resulting in the extraction of the now-famed rosin oil.
Salazar’s initial experiments with his wife’s hair curler led him to switch to a hair straightener upon her suggestion. When he ran out of hash, he began experimenting with cannabis buds, achieving similar results. Since those early days, the methods for producing rosin have advanced significantly, incorporating the use of screens and industrial presses for large-scale, consistent quality production.
How Is Rosin Produced?
The creation of rosin involves applying heat and pressure to cannabis, bursting the trichome heads and releasing an oil rich in terpenes and cannabinoids. This method is akin to extracting juice from grapes or oil from olives, yielding a product similar to butane hash oil (BHO), yet devoid of chemical solvents.
Rosin production presents a simpler and safer alternative to the complex and technical closed-loop resin extraction process commonly utilized in essential oil production. Unlike closed-loop extraction, which requires extensive expertise, expensive equipment, and a dedicated space, along with a post-extraction purging step, rosin making is straightforward and accessible. It can be executed safely at home with minimal investment, allowing individuals to utilize even the trim, a byproduct often discarded during the harvesting of buds.
The outcome of rosin, including its color and consistency, is influenced by the temperature, pressure, and quality of the initial material, resulting in various forms such as fresh press, badder, jam, or solventless. Rosin is free from solvents, ready for immediate consumption, and retains the original strain’s flavor profile through the preservation of fresh terpenes and cannabinoids. Its simple production process makes it an accessible option for many, offering a safe method to produce concentrates at home.
Different Types of Rosin
Rosin, like all cannabis derivatives, can be produced through several methods, each yielding a distinct type of rosin. The primary difference among these types lies in their production process. The top three varieties of rosin are:
Flower Rosin
Typically, rosin is derived from kief, but it can also be produced by applying heat and pressure directly to the cannabis flower. This method retains much of the plant’s original material, including fats and oils. Although creating flower rosin may be quicker and yield more product, it often results in a flavor that some cannabis aficionados find less appealing.
Hash Rosin
Among the various rosin products, hash rosin stands out as a favorite. Its production starts with the extraction of kief through an ice water method and a series of screen bags designed to capture the tiny trichomes. The kief is then pressed into hash before being processed in a rosin press machine. The result is a high-quality, potent concentrate with significantly less plant material than found in flower rosin. This method is the most complex and demands great skill to maximize the preservation of trichomes, ensuring a premium end product.
Dry Sift Rosin
For those seeking a cleaner method of rosin production, dry sift rosin presents a viable option. The process begins by breaking down the cannabis flower and spreading it across screens with increasingly fine mesh. The material is then gently sifted to dislodge the trichomes from the buds. Although this method is labor-intensive, it is less demanding in terms of skill compared to hash rosin production.
How to Use Rosin?
Rosin’s versatility allows for multiple consumption methods, catering to the preferences of cannabis users, whether they choose to vape, smoke, or ingest their rosin.
Dabbing: A popular method for vaping concentrates, dabbing involves placing rosin on a heated nail and inhaling the vapor, such as with electric dab rigs. This technique is often regarded as the best way to experience the full flavor profile and aroma of rosin.
Infusion: For those who prefer smoking rosin, it can be combined with ground cannabis flowers. This mixture can then be used in a hand or water pipe or even rolled into a joint.
Edibles: Rosin’s adaptable nature makes it a suitable addition to a variety of edibles. Incorporating a small amount of rosin into sauces or using it as a frosting on cakes are just a couple of examples. It can also be mixed with cooking oil, provided the temperature is kept low. Since rosin is already decarboxylated during production, there’s no need for additional cooking, offering greater flexibility in culinary applications.
How to Make Rosin at Home?
For those looking for an economical setup, the hair straightener technique is an option. This tool is exceptionally adept at applying the necessary heat and pressure to your buds, facilitating the extraction of rosin. Additionally, this method is time-efficient and offers the flexibility of repeated use, though it offers limited control over temperature and pressure.
Begin by positioning your hemp or cannabis flower between two sheets of parchment paper, or fold a single sheet in half. It’s crucial to ensure there is ample space around the edges for the rosin to flow out. For those working with kief or hash, it’s advisable to encase them in a rosin bag first, then envelop them in parchment paper.
Before starting, don a pair of gloves and preheat your hair straightener to a moderate temperature of about 280-330°F. When the plates are adequately heated, place your prepared hemp or cannabis in the center of the plates. Apply steady pressure for approximately 3-7 seconds until a sizzling sound indicates the extraction process.
To maximize the yield, you may need to repeat the pressing process a few times. Afterward, open the parchment paper and gather the rosin with a dab tool. It’s recommended to store the rosin in an airtight glass jar and use the dab tool for handling when needed.
While a hair straightener suffices for home-made rosin production, investing in a rosin press delivers superior outcomes. Rosin presses are readily available for purchase online and offer the convenience of portability, allowing for the production of high-quality rosin at home.
The procedure with a rosin press mirrors the initial steps; wrap your hemp or cannabis flower in parchment paper, using a rosin bag for kief or hash. Once your rosin press is heated to the ideal temperature, wear gloves, and place your package between the plates. A firm clamp typically results in immediate rosin production, often requiring just a single press.
After the extraction, allow the wrapped material to cool, potentially placing it in the refrigerator for quicker solidification. Once it’s set, the rosin can be collected with a dab tool for use as desired. At this moment, you can enjoy it by an electric dab rig at home.
The Ascendancy of Rosin Within the Cannabis Sector
What may have begun as a hobbyist’s venture, rosin has rapidly ascended as a sought-after cannabis extract, boasting extensive potential uses. For the home grower, rosin presents a straightforward method to transform home-cultivated buds into dabs. For entrepreneurs, it represents a lucrative opportunity.
For those considering rosin production, whether in a commercial setup or at home, it’s crucial to begin with plant material rich in trichomes, ideally fresh frozen or within 1-2 weeks post-harvest if dried, alongside a durable, professional rosin press. By fine-tuning the temperature and pressure settings, you could soon find yourself crafting premium, artisanal rosin.