Difference Between Live Resin and Rosin

In the past decade, the cannabis industry has evolved significantly. This evolution introduced new production methods for cannabis concentrates. The most sought-after concentrates are live resin and rosin. However, due to their similar names, many don’t realize there’s a difference between live resin and rosin.

While both concentrates offer enhanced potency, flavor, and smell, they achieve it differently. So, let’s dive in and explore their differences.

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What are Live Resin and Rosin?

Both substances, live resin, and rosin, are cannabis concentrates. Due to the similarity in their names, people often confuse them with one another. But besides their similar-sounding names, these extracts are quite different in their properties.

Live resin and rosin are more concentrated and potent extracts that use the cannabis plant’s natural resin to create a unique user experience. 

The ‘Live’ used in front of resin and rosin means that unlike cured cannabis or dried buds, the extracts are created from cannabis flowers, fresh and frozen immediately after being cut down. Live extract manufacturers produce them by flash-freezing cannabis plants to preserve trichomes. 

Live extracts retain more terpenes, offering a more fragrant, flavorful, and potent experience. The main difference when it comes to live resin, and rosin is their extraction method. 

Dispensaries infuse live concentrates onto products using sophisticated robots, significantly streamlining production. These machines’ cutting-edge technology also allows for unmatched precision.

Understanding live resin

Live resin is a solvent-based cannabis extract, meaning its extraction process involves chemicals like butane, propane, or carbon dioxide. Live resin, unlike dried buds or cured cannabis flowers, retains the complete chemical profile of the plant. 

Live resin provides users with a real connoisseur experience. The concentrate is available in various consistencies, including the following:

• Sauce

• Budder

• Crumble

• Shatter

• Diamonds

Extraction process 

The extraction process of live resin starts with freshly picked cannabis flowers, which manufacturers flash-freeze. The plants are frozen right after harvest to preserve terpenes, flavonoids, and cannabinoids.

In order to create the concentrate, manufacturers most often use a blend of butane and propane. The cannabis plants are blasted with the chemical mix, which separates the cannabinoids and terpenes from it. 

During this process, these components are extracted as an oily mixture. After this, the manufacturers purge the solvent chemicals from the concentrate using a vacuum chamber.

Once the extract is purged, the manufacturers pour it into a processor to create the live resin. The end product is soft and pliable with a warm amber color. 

Preservation of terpenes and flavors in live resin

Because live resin extraction utilizes flash-freezing, it preserves its full terpene and flavonoid profile. This is one reason so many users prefer live extracts. 

With traditional extraction methods like dried buds or cured cannabis, a large part of the terpene profile is lost. This makes live resin more potent and has an enhanced flavor profile.

The terpenes in the cannabis plant are the compounds contributing to its aroma and flavor. The terpenes are preserved by flash-freezing the plants, allowing consumers to have a more authentic experience.

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Understanding rosin

Rosin is a solventless extract, meaning its production involves no solvent chemicals. Because rosin is solvent-free, the extract provides a cleaner and more pure taste.

Many consumers prefer rosin extract as they do not have to worry about the presence of any harmful chemicals. With rosin, manufacturers indicate that the rosin was pressed from hash, using top-quality, fresh-frozen cannabis buds. They must do this as the product has no chemicals to disguise any unappealing attributes. 

Rosin extracts are popular as they may retain the plant’s cannabinoid, terpene, and flavonoid profile. The extract is available in various forms and consistencies, such as the following: 

• Fresh press rosin

• Rosin budder

• Rosin jam

• Sift rosin

Extraction process

The rosin extraction process involves a solventless method using heat and pressure. Just as with live resin, the extraction process begins with flash-freezing freshly harvested cannabis buds.

After a certain period, the buds are washed in ice water. This allows the separation of the terpenes and trichomes from the plant. The manufacturers then filter and collect the buds using sieve bags. 

Once collected, the manufacturers freeze-dry the wet trichomes. Some manufacturers grind the buds into kief, while others may use bubble hash or flower. Finally, the manufacturers combine heat and pressure to separate the resinous sap.

Purity and DIY appeal of rosin

Many users gravitate towards rosin more than live resin, as they can even make the extract at home. Users can DIY Rosin at home using a cannabis flower, flat iron, and parchment paper. 

So, unlike live resin, rosin is a fully pure cannabis extract with no traces of solvents. The rosin extract provides a better and more potent experience for users.

Differences Between Live Resin and Rosin

As we mentioned, the main difference between the concentrates is their extraction method. To create live resin, manufacturers use solvent-based extraction methods. But rosin is completely solventless and utilizes heat and pressure. 

More health-conscious users may decide to choose rosin over live resin as it does not contain any traces of solvents. Both extracts provide high potency with full terpene profiles.

Still, the actual end product terpene profile depends on the starting materials. For instance, manufacturers using top-of-the-line cannabis flowers will produce live resin or rosin with better aroma and flavor. 

As for the appearance differences, rosin has a more striking color as it is unaffected by chemicals. Rosin is generally more expensive compared to live resin due to the lengthier extraction process. 

Moreover, both live resin and rosin have various applications, including:

• dabbing,

• vaping,

• edibles. 

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Conclusion

While both concentrates are high quality, the difference between live resin and rosin lies in their extraction process. Live resin is a solvent-based concentrate, so it involves the use of chemicals in its making.

In contrast, rosin is an entirely solventless extract that utilizes heat and pressure. Both concentrates offer better experiences, so which one you choose depends on personal preferences.