Live resin and cured resin are two of the most popular cannabis concentrates we stock here at our family of Michigan dispensaries. If you’re new to concentrates, the subtle difference in name might be easy enough to gloss over, but in fact cured resin and live resin are two very different concentrates, each with their own thing to offer.
Keep reading to find out more about how these concentrates are related, how they’re different, and how you can choose between the two next time you’re ready to load up your dab rig.
Resin: A Flavorful & Popular Cannabis Concentrate
While the term “resin” can refer to the sticky substance produced in the tiny glands (called trichomes) that coat mature cannabis flower, when we’re talking about cannabis concentrates resin is a solvent-based product that comes in two main varieties, live and cured.
While the basic extraction process for both live and cured resin is about the same, there are some key differences between them that’s seen in the final product. Live and cured resin differ in their consistencies, flavors, aromas and price points. Why? It largely comes down to the “starting material” or the cannabis plant material that’s used for extraction.
Cured Resin vs Live Resin: The Starting Material
What makes curved vs live resin different is the starting material. To create live resin, producers flash freeze the plant quickly after harvesting it. This process preserves the cannabinoids and terpene profiles in the plant at their peak, and instills a very fresh and vibrant quality to live resin.
Cured resin is made from bud that has been dried and cured, a process that can take several weeks. You can think of the curing process as comparable to the aging process of wine. Over time, the drying and curing process creates a richer, more robust and mature flavor profile as compared to using fresh plant material.
Cured vs Live Resin: Flavor & Aroma
Because it’s made from just-harvested, flash-frozen cannabis, live resin has a distinctly fresh and vibrant flavor profile. Think of it as akin to eating flash-frozen veggies— they have a far more fresh taste than any dried veggie could maintain.
At the same time, remember that the overall flavor starts with the plant. The strain of cannabis will ultimately play a role in the way it tastes. Some people enjoy the more mature and nuanced flavor profile of cured resin.
Live Resin vs Cured Resin: Consistency & Color
Another way to tell the difference between cured and live resin is by its consistency and coloring. Live resin typically has a lighter yellow hue, and a more viscous, sappy texture. Cured resin tends to be a darker yellow or brownish color, and while it may have some viscosity to it, you’ll see it overall has a more solid texture than live resin.
Cured Resin vs Live Resin: Which Is Stronger?
Potency is a big factor for anyone considering a concentrate purchase, but potency is impacted by more than just THC content. Dispensing on extraction and other processing methods, live resin and cured resin may have comparable THC concentrattions—they will certainly both have high amounts of THC by nature of being concentrate products.
Because it’s made from fresh, flash frozen plant material preserved at its peak, live resin may have a broader range of terpenes and cannabinoids. Live resin fans report that this may provide a different experience than cured resin thanks to the entourage effect
Cured vs Live Resin: Price
Another important consideration when you’re getting ready for your next session: cost.
Because it’s more labor and resource intensive to flash freeze and handle frozen cannabis material, and because it’s got a higher terpene content, live resin is generally a pricier concentrate. Cured resin is, ultimately, less resource intense to make and, therefore, more affordable. The traditional curing process takes more time but fewer resources, typically. This all helps to reduce the overall cost.
Exclusive Is Your One-Stop Shop for Concentrates
Live resin and cured resin are two popular concentrates that share a lot of similarities, but are ultimately quite different because of the types of cannabis they are made from.
Live resin is made from just-harvested and flash-frozen cannabis, which results in a very vibrant and flavorful final product. Cured resin is made from cannabis that undergoes the traditional drying and curing process, which results in a final product that boasts a more nuanced and robust flavor profile. Both are plenty potent, though live resin tends to sport a higher price tag.
Which is the better option? If you’re after intense flavor, live resin is the clear winner. But if you enjoy a more mellow and balanced flavor profile at a more affordable price point, cured resin has a lot to offer.
Ready to try these concentrates for yourself? If you’re in Michigan, head to your local Exclusive dispensary to check out the unbeatable selection of live and cured resin that line our shelves. Or keep learning about cannabis concentrates with our beginner’s guide to dabbing.
