Curious about the world of cannabis concentrates? You’re definitely not the only one. Legalization of cannabis to some degree in over half the country has led the way for all kinds of new ways to enjoy cannabinoids to be birthed. Cannabis concentrates are perhaps one of the most captivating. After all, who doesn’t love the idea of concentrated cannabinoids that give you high potency, deep flavors, and more for your money?
Even the most experienced cannabis aficionados can get confused when it comes to cannabis concentrates, especially when it comes to two of the most desirable: resin and rosin. While these two types of concentrates may sound almost the same, the differences between resin vs rosin can be pretty profound. Below is a comprehensive breakdown of resin vs rosin, what they are, and why the differences are important to know.
What is Resin?
Resin is a type of cannabis concentrate that is exceptionally potent, flavorful, and mostly free of other plant compounds. Resin is made by flash-freezing cannabis flowers and then using chemical solvents like propane or butane to extract the resinous trichomes from the plant matter.
For reference, the majority of the cannabinoids and terpenes found in the cannabis plant are concentrated in the resinous trichomes that coat the exterior of the buds. Once the trichomes are separated, the oily material is heated and pressed. Any remaining solvent residue is purged via an evaporation process. The final result is a full-spectrum cannabis resin filled with all the terpenes, flavonoids, and cannabinoids from the plant.
Initially, resin is thick and sticky and usually a yellowish-brown color. However, processors take this base resin and manipulate it further to alter its consistency. Therefore, you can find a whole collection of live-resin-based concentrates, such as live resin sauce, diamonds, or badder.
What Does It Mean When Resin Is Live?
The word “live” when attached to “resin” or other cannabis concentrates simply means the resin is taken from freshly harvested cannabis buds. In other words, the buds are pulled directly from the still-alive plant and flash frozen instead of first going through a curing process before being transformed into a cannabis concentrate.
Live concentrates are considerably preferable because all present terpenes in the living plant are immediately captured and frozen for preservation. Terpenes, such as limonene, myrcene, and others, are responsible for the intensely robust flavors and aromatics of cannabis. These molecules are why certain strains deliver the zesty taste of citrus or others come across like sweet cream laced with herbal spice. Therefore, consuming live resin is as close to consuming the live flower as you can possibly get.
What Is Rosin?
Rosin is a flavorful, potent cannabis concentrate that also contains the full spectrum of terpenes, cannabinoids, and flavonoids from the plant. However, rosin is made without the use of chemical solvents. Instead of using solvents to separate the trichomes from the cannabis buds, processors use more natural methods.
One of the more popular methods is using ice and water to cause the trichomes to separate from frozen buds with brisk agitation. Once the trichomes are separated, the flower particles are filtered, and the trichomes are freeze-dried. These freeze-dried trichomes are then placed onto a heated press, and the resulting product is an amber, oily substance. Depending on the end goal, the rosin may be further refined or processed to make vapable oils to use in vape carts or whipped and worked to thicken the consistency for wax, shatter, or badder dabs.
What’s the Difference Between Rosin and Live Rosin?
So, you see, while resin and rosin may differ by name by only a single letter, the two concentrates are actually different in how they are made, their appearance, and more. Take a closer look at the differences between resin vs rosin in the table below.
| Attributes | Live Resin | Live Rosin |
| Extraction Method | Flash-freezing, solvent extraction, solvent purging through evaporation, heat, and pressure | Flash-freezing, ice-water bath agitation, freeze-drying, heat, and pressure |
| Consistency | Rougher, denser texture | Thick and gooey texture |
| Flavor and Aroma | Highly flavorful and aromatic | Highly flavorful and aromatic |
| Terpene Preservation | Exceptional terpene preservation | Exceptional terpene preservation |
| Solvent Use | Hydrocarbon solvents like propane or butane | No solvents used |
| Popular Uses | Vaping, dabbing, edible-infusion, or bowl-topping | Vaping, dabbing, edible-infusion, or bowl-topping |
| Potency | Up to 90% cannabinoids | Up to 80% cannabinoids |
How Live Resins and Rosins Are Used
Both live resin and live rosin can be used in similar ways. Both cannabis concentrates can be further processed from their original state to take on different consistencies. Therefore, you end up with a highly versatile concentrate that is both highly potent and flavorful and capable of being consumed in various ways. Take a closer look at the various ways of consuming live resin and live rosin below.
Dabbing
Dabbing is by far the most popular way to consume resin and rosin. The word “dabbing” comes from the fact that the process involves applying a tiny “dab” of the concentrate onto a heated surface and inhaling the vapors. This is typically done using a pipe with a special accessory referred to as a dab nail or a dab rig, which is specifically made for dabbing. To dab resin or rosin with a dab rig:
- Heat the dab nail until it is red-hot with a torch
- Take a small amount of the concentrate and place it onto the heated nail (All most people need is a dab about the size of a grain of rice)
- Inhale the vapors released through the mouthpiece, and then exhale as usual
Vaporization
Vaporization using either an e-nail (electric nail) or vaporizer is another option for consuming resin and rosin. These devices rely on electricity or battery power to heat a coil or nail to the right temperature to vaporize the concentrate. Either will have buttons for adjusting the temperature and a designated place to put a small amount (a dab) of resin or rosin. You can also purchase preloaded vape carts to use with your own vape battery or disposable vapes pre-filled with rein or rosin, much like the Live Resin THCP, HCP, and THCA Disposables from Galaxy Treats.
Joint and Bowl Integration
Live resin and rosin can also be added to raw flower for smoking, either in a joint or in a bowl. This method of consumption enhances the potency and flavor of the flower you’re already planning to smoke, which can be a desirable addition. The best live resins and rosins to mingle with flower for smoking are those with a denser, less fluid consistency, as more fluid or oily concentrates can be harder to burn. To add concentrates to flower for smoking, you simply add a dab-sized amount to your joint or bowl and smoke as usual.
Edibles and Infusions
If you intend to make your own homemade edibles, live rosin and resin are good concentrates to opt for to add to the recipe. The high potency of the concentrate means you won’t have to use much at all to make sure every serving has a significant dose of cannabinoids. For example, if you’re making your own cannabis crispy treats instead of buying Cosmic Krispies, you can add a few dabs worth of concentrate to the marshmallow mix. Keep in mind, concentrates can be exceptionally potent. Therefore, make sure to know the potency of what you’re adding and mix thoroughly for evenly distributed dosing.
When it comes to using any cannabis concentrate, it is important to experiment and find the method that suits you best. Each method of consumption can have its own advantages and disadvantages, and everyone can have their own personal preferences.
Resin vs Rosin – Which is more expensive?
In general, live resin can be a little cheaper than live rosin. Live rosin is made without the use of hydrocarbon extraction or high-tech equipment. However, this also means that live rosin production is an incredibly labor-intensive process that takes a lot of time, which leads to a more expensive end product. For some people, the higher cost of live rosin will lead them to pick live resin instead. However, for some, paying the added cost of rosin is a worthy investment.
Explore High-Quality, Hemp-Derived Live Resin at Galaxy Treats
In the end, both live resin and live rosin are potent, full-spectrum, flavorful cannabis concentrates. Both can be used in various ways and offer a rapid lift-off for a good price. Therefore, both can be attractive, even when it comes to those shopping for hemp-derived products.
If you are looking to try well-tested, hemp-based live resin products, be sure to explore the collection of live resin disposables at Galaxy Treats. Made with well-tested live resin that contains THCP, HCP, and THCA, our vapes are potent and delicious with flavors like Birthday Cake, Pineapple Express, Gushers, and Grape God.
