Quality In, Quality Out

When making rosin, which is a type of cannabis concentrate, the quality of the cannabis you start with is super important. If you use high-quality flower (the cannabis buds), you’ll likely get good rosin with more of the stuff you want, like cannabinoids (THC, CBD, etc.) and terpenes (the compounds that give cannabis its smell and taste).

What is Live Rosin?

Live Rosin is a special kind of rosin made from fresh, frozen cannabis plants. It usually has lower levels of THC compared to other concentrates like distillate, but that doesn’t mean it won’t get you high. There’s more to cannabis than just THC. Other things like minor cannabinoids and terpenes work together with THC to give you the effects you feel, so lower THC doesn’t always mean weaker effects.

What are Trichomes?

Trichomes are tiny, hair-like parts of the cannabis plant where most of the good stuff (like cannabinoids and terpenes) is stored. When making rosin, trichomes are separated from the plant material through a process called “washing.” In this process, the trichomes are collected in different sizes using filter bags with tiny holes.

Understanding 90u, 120u, and Other Sizes

The “u” (or μ) stands for microns, which is the size of the holes in the filter bags used to separate the trichomes from the plant. These sizes matter because different parts of the trichome get caught in different bags:

  • 120u: You’ll see more complete trichomes here, meaning both the stalk and the head (the head contains most of the good stuff).
  • 90u and 73u: These are mostly just the trichome heads, which are the most valuable part of the plant. That’s why rosin made from 90u or 73u is often more expensive—it melts better and contains more cannabinoids and terpenes.
  • 45u and 25u: These sizes usually catch smaller trichome pieces, which might not be as valuable but can still be used for things like edibles or capsules.

Full-Spectrum vs. 90u and 73u

Full-spectrum hash rosin contains a mix of different trichome sizes, including everything from 45u to 159u, and sometimes even the smaller 25u size. This gives you a wide variety of cannabinoids and terpenes, which can create a stronger “entourage effect”—when all the parts of the cannabis plant work together to give a more balanced and powerful effect.

On the other hand, some people prefer the pure 90u or 73u rosin because it melts better and gives a cleaner, more flavorful dab. However, some connoisseurs feel that sticking to just one size, like 90u, can leave out some of the flavor and effects you get from a full-spectrum product.

Different Types of Rosin Products

  • Fresh Press Live Rosin: This is made from freshly frozen cannabis and pressed right away. It’s stored in cold conditions to keep it in its glassy, golden form. Some strains may naturally turn into a creamy texture over time, even when stored cold.
  • Cold Cure Rosin: After the rosin is pressed, it’s stored in a jar and allowed to change texture naturally. The trichomes start to separate, and then the rosin is whipped together into a smooth, slightly wet batter.
  • Rosin Jam: This is made by heating up the rosin after pressing it. The heat causes the THCa (the raw form of THC) to separate out, which gives it a chunky, oily texture.

First Press vs. Second Press

When making rosin, there are usually two presses:

  • First Press Rosin: This is where most of the flavor and potency comes from, and it’s usually considered the highest quality.
  • Second Press Rosin: After the first press, the material is pressed again to squeeze out more rosin. This second press has less flavor but often has a stronger, more sedative effect because more of the THC has converted into CBN, a cannabinoid that makes you feel sleepy.

Tier Systems

Rosin is sometimes ranked using a tier system:

  • Tier 1: The highest quality, often from strains that are harder to grow or have lower yields.
  • Tier 2: Still very high quality but slightly easier to grow or produce, which makes it a little more affordable.
  • Tier 3: These are strains that grow easily and in large amounts, so they are cheaper but still offer good quality.

Each batch of rosin is compared to previous batches to make sure the quality stays consistent. This helps growers and extractors improve over time and gives consumers more transparency about what they’re buying.

Fresh vs. Outsourced Material

Growers who use their own cannabis (called single-source) often get better results because they can control the entire process, from growing the plant to pressing the rosin. When you use someone else’s cannabis, you might not know if it was grown or stored correctly, which can affect the final product.

Color and Quality

Some people judge the quality of rosin by its color. For example, 70u size rosin is usually light and white, while 25u or 159u sizes tend to be darker and greener. The darker color usually means less desirable parts of the plant made it through, but that doesn’t always affect the effects—sometimes it just looks different.

By focusing on quality over quantity and comparing each batch, extractors can ensure the best rosin is made, while also offering more affordable options without sacrificing quality.

Hope that makes it a bit clearer! Let GreenDoor know if you have any questions about Rosin or any other concentrates on the market.

RISKS AND PRECAUTIONS – WARNING: Use of Marijuana Concentrate may lead to: 1. Psychotic symptoms and/or Psychotic disorder (delusions, hallucinations, or difficulty distinguishing reality); 2. Mental Health Symptoms/Problems; 3. Cannabis Hyperemesis Syndrome (CHS) (uncontrolled and repetitive vomiting); 4. Cannabis use disorder / dependence, including physical and psychological dependence.

For potential risks of marijuana over-consumption please click here.