Live resin and live rosin are both forms of cannabis concentrates, renowned for their enhanced flavor profiles and potency. However, they differ significantly in terms of their production processes, purity, and the quality of the experience they provide. Here's how:
Production Method:
Live Resin: This concentrate is made using fresh cannabis plants that are flash-frozen immediately after harvest, preserving all of the terpenes that are usually lost during the drying and curing processes. The extraction involves using a solvent, typically butane or propane, which strips the desirable compounds (cannabinoids, terpenes, flavonoids) from the plant material. The solvent is then purged using heat and vacuum, resulting in a product rich in flavor and aroma.
Live Rosin: The term "rosin" refers to a solventless extraction process that uses a combination of heat and pressure to squeeze resinous sap from the plant. "Live" rosin uses fresh, frozen material, similar to live resin. However, the process starts with making ice water hash from this material, then drying the hash to a precise moisture content before it's pressed into rosin, ensuring the preservation of terpenes and cannabinoids without the need for solvents.
Purity and Quality:
Live Resin: Since it's an extract that uses solvents, the purity of the end product can be influenced by how well these solvents are purged. It's essential to purchase live resin from reputable sources to avoid residual solvents in your concentrate. The presence of solvents means that live resin can sometimes retain a broader range of cannabinoids and terpenes from the original plant.
Live Rosin: Being a solventless extract, live rosin is often considered cleaner, containing no residual solvents. It tends to be a more artisanal product, often commanding higher prices due to the extensive labor and attention to detail required in its production process. The purity is typically high, and enthusiasts often consider it a connoisseur-grade product.
Flavor and Experience:
Both live resin and live rosin are known for their enhanced flavor profiles compared to other forms of concentrates, due to the high terpene content that is preserved by using fresh, frozen plant material. The choice between the two often comes down to personal preference, with some users opting for the clean, solvent-free experience of live rosin, while others prefer the wide-ranging nuances of live resin.
Cost:
Generally, the cost for live rosin is higher compared to live resin, reflecting the more labor-intensive process and often smaller batch sizes associated with its artisanal production method.
Availability:
Live rosin might be less commonly available due to the complexities of its production process.
