When it comes to using a Rosin Press, it can be extremely useful to know as much about the process as possible – including what kind of cannabis products can be used for the production of your own rosin. To make this information as accessible as possible, we have put together a series of blogs to explain the process and help you to understand all the ins and outs of the Rosin Press. In this blog, we will look at which cannabis products can be used to create rosin with your new Rosin Press. But first, let’s take a look at cannabis in a little more detail…
The cannabis plant has been cultivated by humans for over 10,000 years and in this time, it has been used to produce a huge number of products. Some of these products were entirely industrial, such as paper, clothing, and even weapons; however, the most well-known and enduring uses of the plant are its consumption for medical and recreational purposes. In this bracket alone, a huge number of products have been formulated to make consumption easier and more effective – depending on the desired result.
As a consumer of cannabis products – whether for medicinal or recreational purposes – you can now access a huge variety of products. Whether you are in the market for buds or flower, or prefer more concentrated products such as rosin or shatter, the chances are you will find what you’re looking for. This perhaps makes cannabis one of the most versatile plants in existence. Nonetheless, for some products it can be extremely useful to have a little more knowledge about the process – as well as the right tools for the job. We are, of course, talking about the use of a Rosin Press to make cannabis rosin.
What is Rosin?
Let’s face it: for most people, there are a lot of other cannabis-based products that spring to mind before rosin. For example, extracts such as oils, vape liquids, hash and kief and even flowers and buds are far more common and talked about than rosin. So, what is rosin? How is it made? And what do you need to make it?
To put it simply, rosin is a type of cannabis concentrate that has been extracted directly from the leaves, buds, or other cannabis products. Notably, rosin doesn’t require the use of solvents or other chemicals as is common in the production of other extract products. Also important to note is that the term ‘rosin’ isn’t used exclusively to refer to cannabis products – in fact, one of the most well-known rosin products is used by the music industry, for which it has been manufactured and used for conditioning violin bows for centuries. This type of rosin is made from pine or other conifer plants to create a sold bar.
When it comes to cannabis, however, rosin is a type of full-spectrum extract. This means that it contains the full variety of cannabinoids, terpenes and countless other cannabis compounds that are found in the original plant. The absence of solvents and other extraction chemicals commonly used in the extraction of other concentrates means that rosin is generally considered to be a purer and often more desirable option. Many other extracts, such as broad-spectrum or isolate products, are refined further to remove certain compounds – most commonly, THC. Extracting rosin using a Rosin Press, however, preserves the full profile of the original product – only in a different form.
Is Rosin the Same as Resin?
If you’re reading this thinking that rosin sounds exactly like resin, then it’s pretty certain that you’re not the only one. These two products are often confused – and not only because their names sound incredibly similar. There are a number of similarities between rosin and resin; however, there are also some significant differences. It is these differences that make rosin a unique cannabis product.
Resin can actually be used to refer to two kinds of cannabis product, the first being the sticky substance that is naturally secreted from the trichomes on the living cannabis plant. This substance often contains high concentrations of cannabinoids like CBD and THC. It is also commonly left behind as a by-product when smoking or vaping cannabis buds.
It is the other type of resin, though, that has several similarities with rosin. First of all, like rosin, resin is also a cannabis extract. Crucially, however, resin is produced through traditional solvent extraction methods. These methods involve the use of solvents, ethanol and other chemicals, such as propane and butane. Therefore, unlike rosin, it cannot be made using a Rosin Press.
The need for these chemicals in the production process means that resin should only be manufactured by professionals. In comparison, theoretically anyone can produce their own rosin – anyone, that is, with the right equipment. So, if you’re looking to get into the rosin game, the first thing you need is a Rosin Press.
Why Choose Rosin?
There are a lot of factors that go into making the ‘perfect cannabis product’ – but really, this is an extremely personal concept. Every individual prefers to consume cannabis in different ways, thanks to the wide-ranging and distinctive qualities of each particular product. Different cannabis products, from strains to extracts, can contain significantly different levels of important compounds such as cannabinoids and terpenes. Arguably the most important of these compounds are cannabinoids like CBD and THC; however, other cannabis compounds like terpenes and flavonoids can also contribute to the taste, scent, and effects of the final product.
While many people might look for convenience over quality, there are those who are willing to put in a little more time and effort to create and consume a more personalised and tailored product. For these people, concentrates like rosin are the perfect solution. With the help of a high-quality Rosin Press, anyone can become an expert in creating their perfect cannabis extract. A Rosin Press allows you to take your preferred cannabis product and create something totally new and versatile with minimal effort.
If you have decided that you would like to put in a little extra work to create your ideal cannabis concentrate then – great! If you want to become something of a rosin connoisseur, then perhaps the most important thing to consider is having the right tools for the job. This means you should be on the lookout for a high-quality Rosin Press. You should take a look at our selection of Rosin Presses at our products page – you’re sure to find the right product for you!
‘Live’ Rosin
The phrase ‘live’, which may also be applied to resin, is used to refer to the type of cannabis product used in the manufacturing process. Put simply, it means that frozen plant matter was used to make the rosin or resin. This is most commonly ‘ice water hash’. But these aren’t the only cannabis products that can be used to make rosin.
What is used to make Rosin?
As mentioned earlier, a number of cannabis products can be used to make rosin, including buds, kief and hash. In general, cannabis flowers and buds are considered to be the best place to start when starting your own rosin production line. Importantly, using high-quality buds and flower will make for a better rosin which represents that full profile of cannabinoids, terpenes, and flavonoids that are present in the original product. This helps to maintain not only the potency of the product but also makes for a more desirable flavour and scent profile.
Rosin can also be made using hash and kief and even the leftovers of your cannabis flower. In fact, using a Rosin Press to make rosin is a great way to use up your leftover cannabis products and prevent waste. Best of all, you will end up with a quality, usable product from something that otherwise might have been thrown away.
Can I Use Cannabis Trim in My Rosin Press?
Full and leftover cannabis buds are not the only plant products that can be used to make high-quality rosin. Impressively, you can even use cannabis trim with your Rosin Press to make a whole new product that is usable and effective. But you should be aware which of these trim leaves are worth using if you are trying to achieve the most effective and authentic result.
What is Cannabis Trim?
Cannabis trim refers to the parts of the cannabis plants that are intentionally removed during the cultivation process. Trimming cannabis is an essential part of growing high-quality products as it removes parts of the plant that has a lower cannabinoid content, giving the plant more energy to focus on the more highly concentrated leaves and buds.
The nature of trimmed leaves means that many growers will throw them away, assuming that they are of no value. However, cannabis trim can actually be used to make a number of high-quality products. If you have a Rosin Press, then one of these products is, of course, rosin!
Cannabis Trim can be separated into two categories: Fan Leaves and Sugar Leaves. While both of these leaf types are routinely removed from the cannabis plant to promote healthy growth, they are actually very different products with very different value.
First of all, fan leaves are the larger leaves that protrude from the branches of the plant. These large leaves contain fewer trichomes – that’s the fine outgrowths found on cannabis leaves and other plants. Trichomes produce a thick, sticky substance that contains a high concentration of cannabis. The fewer trichomes present on a cannabis plant’s leaves – the fewer cannabinoids and, hence, the lower the value of said leaves. The low cannabinoid content of fan leaves means that they are largely considered as waste and, as such, shouldn’t be considered high enough quality to put in your Rosin Press.
Sugar leaves on the other hand contain many more trichomes and a higher concentration of cannabinoids including CBD and THC. Sugar leaves are the smaller leaves that grow out of the buds of the cannabis plant. Unlike fan leaves, their high cannabinoid value means they are ideal for creating a number of extracts and concentrates – including rosin.
How is Rosin Made?
The essential process of making rosin is actually quite simple. All that is really needed is heat and pressure. It is possible to create rosin in a DIY manner (some people even opt for using hair straighteners!), however, employing the help of a Rosin Press obviously makes life a lot easier! But how does rosin production actually work?
As mentioned, your Rosin Press is designed to apply the perfect amount of heat and pressure in order to achieve a high-quality and stable end product. You can even use micron filtration bags with your Rosin Press to get even purer and more concentrated rosin. The heat and pressure applied by your Rosin Press will trigger the release of the natural oils from your original product.
In addition to making rosin production easier and more convenient, a Rosin Press also makes the whole process a lot tidier and safer than DIY techniques. If you have ever tried the hair straightener technique, then the chances are you will have made a mess and probably gained a few burns along the way. Helpfully, a good quality Rosin Press will make these occurrences a thing of the past! Rosin Presses are carefully designed to deliver high-quality rosin in an efficient, safe, and tidy manner.
Last of all, your Rosin Press will also allow you to experiment with different kinds of rosin products. It gives you full control over the production process, allowing you to apply specific temperatures and pressure to meet your own specifications! Check out our blog post on How to Make Rosin Crumble to find out more about the benefits of investing in a Rosin Press.
