Bubble Hash vs Rosin
Cannabis concentrates have recently been one of the most popular hemp products due to their potent characteristics. Some of these concentrates, like bubble hash and rosin, are the most common choice of cannabis enthusiasts. Although there is not much difference between such concentrates when it comes to price, there are several other differences that differentiate them from one another. So what's the difference between bubble hash vs rosin?
Continue reading as we analyze the characteristics of these two concentrates, their production, potency, and market access.
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Bubble Hash vs Rosin
Although bubble hash and rosin belong to the group of cannabis concentrates, there is a general difference in the method of extraction. Generally speaking, bubble hash is created by using ice and water and mixing to separate the trichomes from the cannabis. The final result of this method is a powdery substance that varies in purity.
On the other hand, rosin is produced by heating or pressing the hash, or kief, to obtain the resinous juice. This extraction method results in a sticky concentrate with a high content of cannabinoids and terpenes.
To better understand the differences between bubble hash vs rosin, let's take a closer look at the characteristics of these two concentrates.
What is bubble hash?
Bubble hash, also known as ice water hash, is one of the purest cannabis solventless concentrates available. The name comes from the ability to bubble up when exposed to heat and the bubble bags that are used when extracted by the ice and water method.
Such concentrate is made by mixing cannabis plant material with ice and cold water. This process separates the trichomes, the resinous glands of the cannabis plant, from the plant material. This mixture is filtered through multiple-micron bags with different pore sizes to isolate the trichomes from water and plant debris. In principle, the production process is divided into two parts:
Ice water and agitation – in the first process, the cannabis material is mixed with ice and water to freeze the trichomes. This makes the trichomes brittle and breaks them off easily.
Filtration – once you get a slurry texture, it is passed through multiple mesh bags, progressing to a finer mesh size. Finally, the collected trichomes are dried to produce a powdery substance known as bubble hash.
Appearance and usage
Depending on its purity, the hash can appear as a golden to dark brown powder or a putty-like substance.
You can consume bubble hash in different ways– mix it with the cannabis flower as infused rolls or smoke it in a pipe or joint. If you want to simplify the process, you can use a bubble hash pre roll coating machine.
You can use bubble hash to make tinctures, topicals, or edibles.
What is rosin?
Rosin is a solvent-free cannabis concentrate that has the consistency and function of shatter and wax. However, unlike wax and shatter, which use butane, carbon dioxide, or ethanol to extract the terpenes and cannabinoids, rosin uses heat and pressure. Through this process, the resinous juice is extracted through a solventless extraction process. The process includes:
Heat and pressure – the cannabis product goes under firm pressure between two heated plates that are 120°F to 220°F, liquifying the resin that flows out of the plant material onto the parchment paper.
Collecting the rosin – after the process is complete, the rosin is collected from the parchment paper and can be further processed or used directly.
Appearance and usage
The appearance of rosin depends on several factors, such as the extraction temperature, the source material's moisture content, and the curing methods used. Rosin can have a viscous consistency but also shatter when high extraction temperatures are used.
Due to its high potency and purity, rosin is commonly used for dabbing, added to a joint to enrich the experience, or vaporized in pens. It can also be used to make topicals, tinctures, or edibles.
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Comparing Bubble Hash and Rosin
In addition to the extraction methods, bubble hash and rosin differ in terms of potency, price, taste, and accessibility.
Potency and purity
When comparing bubble hash vs rosin in terms of potency, it can be said that both concentrates have high levels of THC as well as other cannabinoids. However, bubble hash has a higher potency than rosin due to the heat and pressure extraction method.
On the other hand, the potency of bubble hash can vary depending on the filtration process and the quality of the starting material.
Rosin tends to preserve a greater spectrum and provide a richer flavor regarding terpenes. Unlike rosin, bubble hash may lose some of its terpenes during filtration and ice-water extraction.
Flavor and aroma
The aroma and flavor are highly dependent on the production methods used in rosin and bubble hash. When it comes to bubble hash, the ice water extraction helps preserve most of the terpenes resulting in a rich flavor and aroma. However, some of these terpenes may be lost due to multiple filtration steps.
In contrast, with rosin, the terpene profile is more often retained due to the pressure and mild heat used. The end product is a concentrate with a better taste and more aromatic characteristics. This concentrate is intended for users who are looking for a more pronounced taste and terpene-enriched content.
Yield and efficiency
Efficiency and yield are also correlated with the choice of extraction method. When it comes to bubble hash, the yield can vary depending on the filtering steps and the choice of starting material. In general, the yield of bubble hash is far lower than rosin due to the complexity and time-consuming nature of the extraction method.
With rosin, the extraction process is far simpler and can yield a higher percentage of the starting material. Besides, the use of modern rosin presses simplifies and speeds up the whole process.
Cost and accessibility
When we talk about cost and price, these two concentrates have a significant difference that affects their popularity among different types of users. With bubble hash, you will need agitation equipment, bubble bags and ice, which is relatively available and cheap. Conversely, rosin presses can be expensive, especially the newer models, which allow you to regulate the heat and pressure.
In terms of availability, both concentrates can be found in cannabis markets and dispensaries. However, you will find rosin at a higher price than bubble hash due to the expensive extraction method, production equipment, and final product purity.
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Conclusion
So, what can we conclude? Is hash rosin better than bubble hash? When comparing rosin vs bubble hash, we can say that such concentrates are an example of high-potency and clean options that are a favorite among cannabis enthusiasts. Above all, bubble hash is valued for its traditional extraction method, while rosin is gaining popularity for its purity, potency, and increased presence of terpenes.
However, the choice between bubble hash vs rosin will mostly depend on the user's personal preference.
