Cannabis Concentrates 101: What They Are & Why People Love Them

Cannabis concentrates can seem a little intimidating at first — all the gooey textures, shiny crystals, and dab tools can feel like a whole new world. But the truth is, concentrates are just another fun way to enjoy the plant, and once you get the basics down, it can open a new way to experience the plant.

Concentrates are potent, flavorful, and offer a wide range of experiences for both new and seasoned consumers. But with so many types on the market, it can feel a little overwhelming to know where to start. 

What Are Cannabis Concentrates?

Think of concentrates as the “essence” of the cannabis plant. Instead of consuming the whole flower, concentrates isolate the most desirable parts of the plant — cannabinoids (like THC and CBD) and terpenes (which create aroma and flavor). The result is a product that’s far more potent than traditional flower.

Depending on how they’re made, concentrates can be soft and gooey, glass-like and brittle, or even powdery. Each texture offers a different experience and best-use case.

Popular Types of Concentrates

Rosin

Rosin is beloved for being solventless — meaning it’s made by applying heat and pressure, not chemicals. It’s clean, terpene-rich, and offers an incredibly flavorful dab. Many consumers prefer rosin because it stays true to the plant’s natural profile.

Resin (Live Resin)

Live resin is made by flash-freezing fresh cannabis before extraction. This preserves the plant’s aromatic terpenes, giving live resin its famous bold flavors and smooth, elevated experience. If you love strong aroma, live resin is a great place to start.

Hash & Bubble Hash

Hash is one of the oldest concentrates around. It’s made by collecting and compressing trichomes — the tiny crystals on the flower. Bubble hash, a modern twist, uses ice water to separate these trichomes. Both offer a mellow, traditional experience with full-spectrum flavor.

Distillate

Distillate is ultra-refined and extremely potent, often hitting 90%+ THC. Because many terpenes are removed during the process, distillate is commonly used in vape carts and edibles where consistent dosage matters.

Kief

Kief is the simplest concentrate — just loose trichomes sifted from the flower. While not as potent as resin or rosin, it’s great for topping bowls or adding a boost to joints.

How Do You Use Concentrates?

Dabbing

The most common method. You’ll need a dab rig or an electronic device (like an e-rig or dab pen). Dabbing delivers quick, strong effects and preserves flavor beautifully. E-rigs help adjust temperature settings to modulate the strength of the hit. The higher the heat the more powerful the effect, however, super heating should be avoided as it can burn and destroy flavorful compounds.

Vape Cartridges & Disposables

A convenient, portable option. Distillate, live resin and rosin carts are popular choices for people who value consistency and ease. These often amber-colored oils generally come in .5 gram, 1 gram and 2 gram cartridges or All in One (AIO) pens. Vape pens can offer discrete and easy means to consume. Depending on the vape brand, strain and process- they can be very flavorful and tend to have a higher concentration of THC- up to 99% (but often not that high). 

Infused Joints or Bowl Toppers

A sprinkle of kief or a bit of hash can enhance flower without jumping straight into higher-intensity forms like dabs. Make your own kief with a grinder that has a kief screen or catch. High quality kief should have a lighter color, often slightly yellow or off-white. Hash on the other hand can be darker in color, either dark tan or brown. It's best practice to refrigerate rosin and cured hash to ensure freshness and flavor. (Herbal Woodstock refrigerates all hash and concentrate products onsite).

Pro tips:

• Start small. Concentrates are much stronger than flower.

• Low-temp dabs taste way better and are smoother.

• An e-rig (like a Puffco Peak) is a super easy, beginner-friendly option.

  
  

Choosing the Right Concentrate at Herbal Woodstock

Whether you’re curious about trying your first concentrate or looking for something new and premium, our team at Herbal Woodstock is always here to help. We’ll walk you through textures, potency levels, and terpene profiles so you find the product that fits your comfort level and desired experience. Stop by anytime — we love talking concentrates, answering questions, and helping you discover what works best for you.