Live resin and live rosin are cannabinoid- and terpene-rich substances made for vaping, dabbing, smoking with flowers in joints or pipes, or making edibles. Both of them are hemp-derived concentrates. For rosin, manufacturers may use dried cannabis flowers or fresh frozen/flash-frozen hemp plants processed into live bubble hash. In contrast, live resin is only made from flash or fresh frozen material.
Although both are hemp concentrates, a few differences distinguish them from each other, and understanding them can help you determine which is best for you. It starts with what each substance is:
Rosin and Live Rosin: What Are They?
Rosin: A solventless extract, rosin is made by applying low heat and high pressure to dried and cured hemp buds, dry sift, bubble hash (live or regular), or kief between two heated plates. This process brings out the plant’s resinous trichomes, which contain all the beneficial compounds.
Live Rosin: This is made from pressing live bubble hash that comes from fresh frozen hemp. Since the hemp flowers do not undergo drying and curing, live bubble hash and the live rosin that comes from it are loaded with terpenes.
Extracting Live Rosin: Live rosin extraction is a tricky process and involves these steps:
- The manufacturer may extract live bubble hash in-house or source it from elsewhere
- The dried live bubble hash is put in a micron-rated rosin bag
- The bag is put inside a folded parchment paper, which is placed between the rosin press
- The bag receives heat and pressure, melting the hash rosin
- The substance flows onto the parchment paper and is cold-stored
- Some manufacturers cold-cure the rosin for a badder-like consistency
The Taste of Live Rosin:
The popularity of live rosin is often attributed to its complex flavor profile.
Popular Live Rosin Products
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What is Live Resin?
Live resin is a premium version of butane hash oil (BHO). It is made from fresh or flash-frozen hemp using a light hydrocarbon extraction process that involves propane or butane. The concentrate usually sports an amber hue with a soft, sugary texture.
Making Live Resin:
The process generally involves light hydrocarbon solvents like propane and butane. Manufacturers put fresh frozen hemp in the solvent, where both materials bind and dissolve. Then, the resin is extracted from the solvent.
Live resin can be made into different products like diamonds, wax, badder, and sauce—items much more familiar to dabbers and vapers than those who typically smoke joints.
The Taste of Live Resin:
Like live rosin, live resin also has rich flavors due to the preserved terpenes. The solvents used during extraction create a unique flavor by extracting the terpenes.
Popular Live Resin Disposables
Live Rosin vs. Live Resin: Which Is Better?
It all boils down to personal preference. For some, specific flavors come into play. Some prefer live rosin over live resin for its quality and solventless extraction process. Others choose live resin for its lower price point.
The Endgame
Live rosin and live resin are popular choices for those who love hemp concentrates with luscious flavors. The key difference between them is that rosin provides a very high-quality substance and is free from solvents. The product is full-spectrum. Live resin is more affordable and may contain solvents. Finally, what you choose will depend on your budget and preferences.