In fact, if you think of Live Resin and Liquid Diamonds as having the same character, that would be equivalent to comparing a fresh orange to a glass of orange liqueur. Both are excellent choices, but they provide different levels of flavor, aroma, and overall experience of the cannabis plant.
After visiting hundreds of extraction laboratories and testing numerous vaporizers over the past decade, I have come to appreciate the artistic nature of each. The purpose of this article is to help you better understand the background and philosophy of creating each type of concentrate and ultimately help you decide which is best suited to your needs.
The Soul of the Plant: Understanding the Basics
It is essential to understand the philosophical basis of each type of cannabis concentrate before we begin our discussion of the differences between Live Resin and Liquid Diamonds. Choosing either one of these types of cannabis concentrates is based on your perspective of quality.
What is Live Resin?
Live Resin is the captured essence of a cannabis plant at the time of harvest. The method of extracting Live Resin is to rapidly freeze the cannabis plant immediately following harvest. This rapid freezing preserves the plant’s volatile aromatic compounds (terpenes), which are usually lost due to slow drying and curing processes associated with other cannabis concentrates.
When I first discovered a high-quality Live Resin, I was surprised by the complexity and richness of the flavors and aromas. The flavor didn’t simply smell “skunk” or “gas”, it smelled like a mix of specific scents: pine, ripe fruit, and a touch of diesel. The high from Live Resin was also surprisingly complex, it provided a full-spectrum, nuance-rich experience. The experience was so close to the actual experience of smoking a live flower that I call it the ultimate “snapshot” of the living plant.
What is Liquid Diamonds?
Liquid Diamonds are the epitome of pure potency. They consist of two parts: THCA “diamonds,” which are crystal-like structures made almost entirely of pure THCA, and a flavorful terpene sauce. The process of creating Liquid Diamonds involves separating the THCA from the terpenes using precise techniques such as temperature and pressure.
I remember seeing the first THCA diamonds under a microscope and being amazed at the beauty and geometry of these small crystalline structures, reminiscent of jewelry rather than a laboratory. The experience of consuming Liquid Diamonds is that of contrast and harmony. You receive the strong, soaring and intensely potentiating high from the diamonds and a rich, bold flavor from the terpene sauce. The focus of Liquid Diamonds is to provide a precise, potent experience that is unattainable through traditional cannabis extracts.
Connoisseurs Comparison: A Side-by-Side Experience
We’ll transition from theory to reality now and break down how Live Resin and Liquid Diamonds compare in areas that matter most: in your vaporizer.
Flavor and Aroma Profile
Live Resin is the undisputed king of flavor. Live Resin captures the rich, complex and accurate-to-strain terpene profile of the cannabis plant. When you consume Live Resin, you get a genuine taste of the specific genetics of the flower. Many describe the experience as dabbing the flower and for good reason. The flavor is vibrant and sometimes even “plant-like.”
Liquid Diamonds have a rich and delicious flavor, but it’s a completely different experience. Because the terpenes are isolated and then reintroduced, the flavor can be much stronger and more concentrated than Live Resin. However, the delicate nuances and support of the full-spectrum of the plant are often lost during the purification process. The flavor of Liquid Diamonds is often a strong, direct, and potentiating hit of the primary terpenes.
Potency and Effects
Live Resin is a full-spectrum or broad-spectrum experience. This means that you benefit from the entourage effect where cannabinoids and terpenes work together to affect the high. This results in a more balanced, nuanced, and strain-specific experience. Live Resin is potent, but the high is rounded affecting both the mind and body in a complex manner.
Liquid Diamonds are typically higher in total THC content. The effects of Liquid Diamonds are often more intense and cerebral, coming on with a strong, immediate rush. The high from Liquid Diamonds is a direct reflection of the purity of the THCA diamonds. Those looking to achieve the highest level of psychoactivity and a strong, soaring high will find Liquid Diamonds to be the clear winner in terms of potency.
Consistency and Appearance
Live Resin in a cartridge is typically a thin, oily substance ranging in color from light gold to dark amber. Live Resin is typically stable, but can sometimes develop crystals in the cartridge, which can be resolved by gently warming the cartridge.
Liquid Diamonds have a unique appearance. The THCA diamonds are typically visible as small crystals suspended in the golden terpene sauce. The texture of Liquid Diamonds is thicker and more consistent than Live Resin, and is specifically formulated to remain stable in a cartridge and prevent the separation of the two main components of Liquid Diamonds.
The Connoisseur’s Decision Path: A Step-by-Step Guide
Ultimately, choosing between Live Resin and Liquid Diamonds is not about which is better, it is about which is best for you. Follow the following step-by-step decision-making process to determine which is best for you.
Step 1: Determine Your Primary Objective
Determine what is most important to you.
- Live Resin is the ultimate choice for Terpene enthusiasts and those who value the Botanical Artistry of a particular Strain.
- Liquid Diamonds is the ultimate choice for Experienced Users who seek the most potent effects and a powerful Terpene Kick.
Step 2: Determine Your Tolerance Level and Desired Experience
- You have a low tolerance and/or desire a full-bodied experience that mimics the experience of smoking Premium Flower.
Choose Live Resin. The Entourage Effect of Live Resin will provide a more balanced and complex high that will be less overwhelming than other options.
- You have a high tolerance and/or desire a powerful, cerebral experience.
Choose Liquid Diamonds. The Pure THCA of Liquid Diamonds will cut through your tolerance and provide a powerful, focused high.
Step 3: Consider the Circumstances
This is where personal intuition plays a role. I maintain both types of concentrates in my arsenal as they serve different purposes.
- When I am vaping during the day and want to feel relaxed and elevated with great flavor, I choose a Sativa-Dominant Live Resin.
- When I am vaping in the evening and want to relax and possibly alleviate pain, I choose the Intense and Immersive effects of Liquid Diamonds.
The Final Verdict
In the end, the comparison between Live Resin and Liquid Diamonds is a celebration of how far cannabis extraction has progressed. Live Resin is the poetic preservation of the soul of the plant, while Liquid Diamonds are the scientific pursuit of the ultimate power of the plant. Through my experience, I learned that there is no single “best” concentrate – only the best concentrate for a particular moment and desire.
As a connoisseur, your palate will become accustomed to appreciating both Live Resin and Liquid Diamonds. Learn to experiment with intention, and listen to the nuances of flavor and effect, and you will come to realize that there is not only a preference, but a greater understanding of the incredible diversity of the cannabis plant.