Cannabis concentrates are becoming more and more popular. They are especially suitable for patients, as the cannabinoids are present in concentrated form and even a small puff on the vaporiser leads to the desired effect. Until now, it was mainly THC and CBD that aroused the interest of producers and consumers. With the increasing knowledge and research of terpenes and their interaction with cannabinoids (read more at Terpenes in cannabis and their interaction with cannabinoids), many patients are now looking for concentrates that contain many terpenes.
So how do you make BHO, which contains many terpenes?
There are two ways to produce concentrates with a high terpene content. On the one hand, there is the possibility to dissolve the terpenes from the buds by means of steam distillation before the BHO production and to mix them with the BHO again later. However, the distillation of the terpenes is not so easy and extra distillation equipment is needed for this.
The second possibility is to use fresh buds and petals instead of dried plant material. Drying degrades the terpenes and only a few of them can be dissolved during extraction. If, on the other hand, fresh flowers are used, all the terpenes are still present and can be dissolved; this method is known as "life-resin extraction".
What is "Life-Resin-Extraction"?
Normal extractions made with dried source material contain about 4-5% terpenes, depending on which strain was used. Life-resin extraction" uses fresh plant material, i.e. the buds are manicured, frozen and then extracted. As a result, a terpene content of over 15% is not uncommon in these extracts.
By drying the plants, about 60% of the existing terpenes are lost and can accordingly no longer be dissolved. By using fresh, "living" starting material, all the terpenes contained can be extracted. The actual extraction in a roller extractor with butane gas works in the same way as with dried buds, you can find out more about this in our reports Step by step instructions: Production of Shatter (BHO) and Production of BHO and cannabis concentrates.
For extraction with fresh material, the buds and small leaves are frozen in the freezer immediately after harvesting in a plastic box with a lid or a large ziplock bag. Once the buds are well frozen, they are roughly broken open and frozen again. Then they are extracted. The result is a lighter and much more liquid BHO, but one that smells and tastes much stronger.
Differences between BHO from dried and fresh flowers
As already described, there is a clear difference in consistency. Due to the higher terpene content, BHO produced with the life-resin extraction is much lighter and more liquid; for dabbing, it is best to use a small spoon or spatula to apply it to the nail. This also makes it more suitable for vaporizers, as the liquid is much easier to vaporise.
Also, because of the much higher terpene content, the butane honey oil from fresh weed is much more aromatic. One gram of it smells like a whole bag of weed. The taste is just as much more intense and a real treat, especially with fruity cannabis strains.
There is also a difference in the effect. Due to the combination of cannabinoids and terpenes, the effects are, in my opinion, even more extensive and stronger, the complete spectrum of effects comes to light, which is especially appreciated by patients.
A big difference also lies in the amount extracted. With BHO extracted with fresh cannabis, you only get about 2/3 of the normal amount, which does not stop many from making their butane honey oil with the "life-resin extraction" because of the more intense aroma and the stronger effect.