When people ask me about cannabis concentrates, one of the most basic questions I get asked is: "What is the difference between live resin and live rosin?" Although the names are similar, live resin and live rosin represent two separate ways of extracting cannabis concentrates.
Live resin utilizes chemical solvents to extract the cannabinoids and terpenes from the cannabis plant, whereas live rosin does not utilize solvents; instead, live rosin utilizes heat and pressure to extract the cannabis oil from the plant. As someone who has studied and consumed both types of extracts, I find each type of extract offers something unique. So, let's take a closer look at these premium cannabis concentrates.
Solvent vs. Solventless – The Key Difference
The primary difference between live resin and live rosin is the way the cannabinoids and terpenes are extracted from the cannabis plant. Live resin uses solvents such as butane, or propane, to remove the cannabinoids and terpenes from the cannabis plant, whereas live rosin does not utilize any solvents; rather, it uses heat and pressure to squeeze the plant for its cannabis oil. The method of extraction is going to influence every aspect of the finished product including the flavor profile of the final product, the cost of the finished product, and the overall perception of purity.
What is Live Resin? – The Flash-Freeze Extraction
Live resin is focused on preserving the freshness and essence of the cannabis plant at its peak. To do this, the cannabis plant is flash-frozen immediately after harvesting. By freezing the plant at the moment of harvest, the cannabis plant preserves the volatile terpenes responsible for the unique aroma and flavor of the cannabis strain. If the plant were allowed to dry slowly, the volatile terpenes would evaporate and therefore could not be preserved for the final product.
How Live Resin is Made
Once the cannabis plant has been flash-frozen, the frozen plant material is then introduced to a closed loop extraction system. In a closed loop extraction system, a hydrocarbon, (butane, propane, etc.) is cooled down until it becomes a liquid. The liquid hydrocarbon is then passed through the frozen plant material where it acts as a chemical "key" to dissolve the valuable components of the trichome head (cannabinoids and terpenes) from the rest of the plant material. Once the hydrocarbon has dissolved the cannabinoids and terpenes, the solution is then passed through a vacuum oven to purge the hydrocarbon and leave behind a very potent, terpene rich cannabis concentrate. The final product may be a sappy liquid, a sugar-like, crystalline budder, (often referred to as "badder"), or a variety of other consistencies depending on the specific product.
To me, live resin is a concentrated version of the flavors and aromas of the cannabis plant. When done properly, live resin can provide an overwhelming amount of terpenes and deliver a much more intense and explosive flavor than many other types of cannabis concentrates. The high produced by live resin is generally strong and wide-ranging and mimics the effects of smoking or vaping the original cannabis flower. However, even though the final product has been extensively purified to remove any residual solvents, some consumers still have reservations about consuming any product that was made with solvents, regardless of the level of safety certification provided with the final product.
What is Live Rosin? – The Heat-and-Press Method
If live resin is a technological wonder of modern extraction methods, live rosin is a true art form. Live rosin is a pure, solventless extraction of cannabis concentrates and is targeted towards the purists who want only the cannabis plant itself. The initial step is the same as that used to create live resin; the cannabis plant is first flash-frozen.
Creating Live Rosin
This is where the two methods diverge. Instead of being immediately pressed, the flash-frozen plant material must be converted into a solventless hash. The frozen cannabis buds or trim are mixed in cold water and agitated to break off the brittle, frozen trichomes. The mixture is then strained through multiple mesh filters to collect the trichome heads. The collected trichomes are then dried. After being dried, the trichomes are transformed into "live bubble hash". This hash is then wrapped in a paper bag and pressed between two hot plates. The heat and pressure cause the trichomes to melt and release a thick, golden cannabis oil called live rosin.
Unlike live resin, live rosin is characterized by refined, true-to-plant flavor characteristics. Because live rosin is not chemically processed, the terpene profile is often described as more subtle, creamy and less pungent than live resin. Additionally, the high produced by live rosin is extremely clean and clear, making it ideal for day-time use or for any time when function needs to be maintained. The texture is usually a smooth, butter-like substance that is easy to work with. 710 Labs has mastered this process, creating "Persy (Personal) Live Rosin", which exemplifies the best of this craft.
A Side-by-Side Comparison – A Guide for Consumers
While understanding the theoretical aspects of the two extraction processes is beneficial, it is only half the battle. Understanding how they translate to the shelf and your equipment is equally important.
Picking Between Purity and Potency
A consumer walks into a dispensary looking at two premium, high-priced products. One of the products emphasizes the extreme flavor of the final product (live resin), while the other emphasizes the ultimate purity of the final product (live rosin). Making the decision can be daunting.
Linking Product to Preference
The answer to the dilemma lies in self-evaluation.
- Choose Live Resin if: You prioritize a strong, flavorful dab that packs a powerful punch, and you do not mind the use of solvents in the production of the final product. Live resin is generally less expensive than live rosin in terms of pure cannabinoid potency per dollar.
- Choose Live Rosin if: You are a purest when it comes to the solventless nature of the final product, you prioritize a clean, full body effect, and you are willing to spend a premium for a product created solely through heat and pressure. Live rosin is the option for those who see concentrates as a craft experience.
The Verdict: Two Paths to Premium Cannabis Concentrates
The debate between live rosin and live resin is not a debate about which is objectively better; it is about what you, the consumer, place more importance on. Live resin is a technological marvel that demonstrates human ingenuity and the ability to capture the cannabis plant's most ephemeral characteristics with incredible potency. Live rosin is an artistic expression of the cannabis plant itself, emphasizing the plant as the sole ingredient in a minimalist extraction process that removes all chemicals and only uses heat and pressure. While both products are of the highest quality and occupy the top rung of the concentrate food chain, I recommend that you do not try to pick a side. Each has its own unique experience to offer, and appreciating them for their individual merits will make your concentrate journey more enjoyable.