If you're new to cannabis, you might wonder about the difference between kief vs. hash?
Before shatter and live resin became dispensary staples, hash and kief were some of the first concentrate products produced from marijuana. But what exactly are they?
Though these both products come from cannabis pla
nt material, they differ significantly in their potency, composition, effects, and method of consumption. Kief is a powdery and silver-looking substance, whereas hashish is a dense concentrate that comes in rich brown tones.
Let's explore the characteristics of hash vs. kief in more depth to help you better understand the differences between these two cannabis concentrates.
Hash vs Kief: Exploring the Differences
What is Kief Weed?
Have the shiny hairs or crystals on your cannabis buds ever caught your eye? These glistening, resinous particles are what we call kief! You may also hear it referred to as “dry sift” "kief weed" or “pollen”. Kief is made up of clusters of trichomes that can be found in the flowers and leaves of cannabis plants. A sifter is commonly used to obtain kief weed, as it separates the trichomes from the rest of the plant material.
In the cannabis community, kief is regarded as a highly potent form of cannabis, due to its minimum processing and high THC levels. Keep in mind, the potency of kief batches can vary widely, as THC concentration is affected by the quality of the cannabis buds and storage conditions.x
What Are Moon Rocks?
If you have ever tried moon rocks, then you've tried kief! The greenish brown or even silvery dusting covering each cannabis bud was in fact the extract kief. To create the best moon rocks, fresh frozen cannabis is cured and coated in a high concentration of both trichome heads and cannabis extracts. Cannabis consumers love the high potency levels and minimal processing of moon rocks.
What is Hash?
Hash is a cannabis concentrate that originated in the Middle East. It's formed after collecting kief and compressing it into a solid mass. Typically no solvents or other chemicals are needed to produce this cannabis extract. It is typically darker and more compact than kief with a more robust flavour and aroma. Most of the time, it comes as dark brown slabs, but varying tones of greenish brown are not uncommon.
Unlike dry sift, hash products are found in many different forms, including:
- Hash rosin
- Dry sift hash
- Bubble hash
- Ice water hash
- Hash oil
What is Bubble Hash?
Bubble hash, commonly referred to as ice water hash, is named for its ability to bubble when exposed to heat, indicating its high purity. It is a solvent-free cannabis concentrate that uses ice water extraction method to separate the resin glands from the starting material. Ice water hash can be consumed in many different ways, including as smoking in a joint or dabbing in a dab rig.
As with most concentrates made from cannabis plants, the quality of the starting material plays a large factor in the quality of the final product. Good bubble hash requires top quality cannabis flower and more specialized equipment than dry sift hash.
Kief vs Hash: 4 Key Differences and Similarities
Both cannabis concentrates are derived from residual plant material of the cannabis plant. These products are highly popular among cannabis users because of their high potency and other beneficial effects.
However, here are a few key differences between hash and kief that are important for cannabis enthusiasts to understand:
1. Plant Material Extraction
How is Kief Weed Collected?
Dry sift can be collected by using filter screens in herb grinders or by sifting shredded flower through a series of fine mesh screens. Either air drying or a freeze dryer can be used to prepare the fresh cannabis flower. The plant's trichomes become separated from the marijuana buds and fall through the screens and into the kief catcher.
Individuals and smaller producers use silkscreens during the grinding process to separate the cured cannabis flower from the pollen. After collection, extractors stack screens of varying sizes to refine the final product and remove any substances of plant matter. Multiple sizes and passes through subsequent mesh screen further refine the loose trichomes. After all excess plant material is removed, the final extract is a concentrated form known as pure kief. Kief can be purified into dry sift by separating the plant material from the trichome resin glands.
How is Hash Made?
Producing hashish is a more complex process than obtaining dry sift. Specialized equipment and advanced techniques are not required but can contribute to achieving an end product that is free of impurities.
The most simple method of extraction can be achieved with light pressure and a 3 piece grinder. Collect kief weed in the bottom chamber of your grinder. Take a large pinch and firmly press your fingers together. The heat from your hands will warm the compounds in the kief and catalyze the process. The resulting product is a basic form of hash.
The more common, industrial method uses specialized machines. They apply pressure and heat to large amounts of kief, forming solid pucks that are ready for consumption.
How is Bubble Hash Made?
Ice Water Extraction is a solventless extraction method that can be used to produce bubble hash. This approach utilizes fresh frozen cannabis buds and ice to form the prized ice water hash.
The ice water method uses bubble bags and ice cold water to separate the trichomes from the cannabis flowers and plant material. The use of ice cold water vs regular tap water helps to preserve the plant's cannabinoids. The process starts by mixing fresh frozen flower with ice water. Agitating the mixture causes the trichomes to become dislodged. They are then filtered through a series of mesh screens.
This method preserves the cannabinoids and other compounds, resulting in a pure and highly potent concentrate. The end product is often called bubble hash (aka ice water hash) to distinguish it from its counterparts.
2. Using Dry Sift Hash
Vaping and Smoking
Both hash or kief may be smoked on their own or combined with other cannabis products for a more intense experience.
When combining them with products such as cannabis oil or flower, keep your tolerance level in mind. Mixing a large dose of extracts with your regular dose of flower can result in a high that is too intense. While too much THC is not harmful to your physical health, unwanted side effects can cause significant mental distress.
If you're a seasoned stoner, try infusing your next joint with both concentrates for the most potent experience! We recommend packing a pre-roll cone with crumbled bubble hash and flower. Once your joint is sealed, dust the outer paper with kief and it's ready to smoke!
Is Bubble Hash Good to Smoke?
Yes! Bubble hash's high purity and terpene levels make it an excellent choice for smoking. You can smoke it in a traditional pipe, roll it with flower in a joint, or use a dab rig for a more potent experience.
Edibles
These cannabis products can also be used to create delicious edibles! You can use different concentrates to infuse your favourite recipes with THC.
It is important to note that you decarboxylate
your starting cannabis plant material before making edibles. This is what activates the concentrate and converts the inert molecules to active THC ones.
You can do this by heating the concentrate at a low temperature for ~20 to 30 minutes. The heat will activate the cannabinoid and terpene profiles of your concentrate, making it more enjoyable and effective.
3. Potency of Kief vs Hash
Kief and hash distinct extraction processes results in varying THC levels. Hash is the more potent and refined sibling of kief weed. As the trichomes of the kief are compressed together, the potency increases. It usually has higher concentrations of THC (up to 90%). It is an optimal choice for those who love strong weed strains.
Meanwhile, the overall THC of dry sift is between 50 and 80 percent, depending on the quality of the buds at harvest. Generally speaking, it is the healthy, higher-grade plants that will give rise to pollen with a higher THC level than a low-grade or unhealthy one.
Both concentrates can be used or combined in many different ways, offering the user endless options for their stash. Provided the person is aware of their tolerance level, kief and hash are a great way to take advantage of marijuana's benefits.
4. Terpene and Cannabinoid Profiles
When comparing the cannabinoid profiles of kief and hash, you will notice some of them look quite similar. Terpenes and cannabinoids can be found in varying levels and contribute to the final flavour, effects, and aroma.
Since dry sift is made primarily of trichomes, it contains a higher concentration of terpenes and cannabinoids compared to other parts of the cannabis plant. This is why kief may be considered stronger than dried cannabis buds.
On the other hand, hash is made by compressing large amounts of resinous dry sift, creating a super dense cake with very high levels of THC and cannabinoids.
Benefits and Effects of Hash vs. Kief
Hash has been around for a long time, and as such, has many fans. It's high THC and terpene levels make it an excellent choice to relieve many common symptoms. It has been found to provide relief from a variety of ailments such as:
- General anxiety
- Post-traumatic stress disorder
- Neuropathic pain
- Glaucoma
- Low appetite
- Insomnia
Potential Side Effects of Cannabis Products
If you're new to cannabis concentrates, be cautious when dosing. It is advised to consume multiple, smaller doses of extracts like hash rosin, versus one hero dose. If you do consume an excessive amount of THC, you may experience the following side effects:
- Increased appetite
- Increased psychoactive effects
- Short-term memory impairment
- Disassociation
- Paranoia
- Heart palpitations
- Dry mouth
- Red eyes
- Fatigue
We highly recommend starting low and slow - don't be afraid to build up your tolerance slowly. This is by far the best way to have a great experience, while reaping the benefits of a high potency extract.
Storing Kief vs Hash
How to Store Hash
Proper storage is needed to maintain your extract's aroma and potency. In order to preserve the quality of concentrates, such as hash rosin, we highly recommend storing them in an airtight containers on a cool, dark shelf.
Light and moisture should be avoided at all costs. Protect your hash from direct sunlight exposure, temperature fluctuations, and high humidity. With proper storage methods, your hash will maintain its freshness and potency. Storing your hash correctly will help you extend the enjoyment of your
How to Store Kief Weed
The process for storing dry sift weed is very similar to the one for storing hash rosin. Oxygen will degrade the active compounds in the plant matter, so an airtight container is a must! We recommend using an airtight glass or aluminum container. Avoid plastic, as it can generate static, or any containers with lingering odours. Keep your container in a cool, dark place away from sunlight.
Boveda humidity packs are sometimes used when storing kief or flower. They contain a special gel that prevents the kief from becoming overly dry or too moist. We highly recommend using a humidity pack when storing kief long term - as its fine texture makes it prone to drying out and losing its potency.
For long-term storage, vacuum sealing your supply and storing it in the freezer is advised. If done correctly, your kief could remain fresh for up to a year!
Kief vs Hash Which is Better?
Overall, both are popular forms of cannabis-derived products that offer potent effects and unique flavour. The prime difference between these concentrates is their extraction process and THC concentration.
Though hash is more potent than dry sift weed, we suggest trying both products to understand their effects on you and your body. Check out the best deals on hash and kief at CW today!
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