Why Trichomes Matter
Hey there, OGENauts!
Today, we want to talk to you about something that might not get as much attention as THC testing or phenohunting but is just as important: trichomes.
At OGEN, we understand the significance of trichomes in cultivating high-quality cannabis. These small, mushroom-like structures found on the plant's surface are responsible for creating each strain's distinct effects and flavors.
This blog will delve into the world of trichomes, exploring their importance, their different types, and the methods used to extract them.
What are trichomes?
First off, let us define what trichomes are. Simply put, they are the tiny, hair-like structures on the surface of the cannabis plant that contains all the good stuff - specifically, the cannabinoids and terpenes that give each strain its unique effects and flavour. These tiny crystals play a significant role in the cannabis plant, protecting it from harsh weather and predators while producing compounds like THC and terpenes that we all know and love.
Now, why is preserving trichomes important for cannabis extraction? Well, the trichomes are where all the goodies are stored, so the more trichomes you can maintain during extraction, the more potent and flavorful your end product will be. The trichomes can also act as a natural filter, trapping impurities in the plant and leaving you with a purer extract.
Protecting Trichomes
Preserving trichomes also requires a lot of care and attention. This means carefully flushing and removing leaves at the end of flowering and carefully handling the plant when harvesting, drying, curing, and trimming correctly without touching the buds more than necessary.
Three Main Types of Trichomes
Bulbous trichomes are the smallest and most numerous of the resin glands. These trichomes are usually found in abundance on the leaves of the cannabis plant and are generally not the primary focus during extraction.
Capitate-sessile trichomes are slightly larger and contain more cannabinoids compared to bulbous trichomes. They are found in abundance on the calyxes and bracts of the cannabis plant and are often targeted during extraction.
Capitate-stalked trichomes are the largest and contain the most cannabinoids. These trichomes are found on the flowers of the cannabis plant and are the primary focus during extraction.
There are a few different methods for extracting trichomes from the plant, each with its pros and cons:
Solventless Extraction
This refers to methods of extracting cannabinoids and terpenes from the plant material without using solvents. These methods include ice water extraction, dry sifting, and heat-based methods such as rosin pressing. The result of solventless extraction is a product considered to be purer and healthier for consumption, as it does not contain any residual solvent that may be present in extracts using solvents.
Rosin
Rosin is a concentrated form of cannabis produced by applying heat and pressure to the plant material. It is considered a "solventless" concentrate, as it is made without using any chemicals or solvents.
Bubble hash
Bubble hash is a cannabis concentrate made by freezing the cannabis plant material and then agitating it in ice water. The trichomes (the resin glands that contain the plant's psychoactive compounds) are separated from the plant material and collected, resulting in a potent form of cannabis.
Dry ice Hash
Dry ice hash, also known as "dry ice kief," is a cannabis concentrate made by freezing the cannabis plant material and then using dry ice to agitate it. The trichomes separate from the plant material and are collected, resulting in a potent form of cannabis.
Dry sift
Dry sift is a cannabis concentrate made by sifting dried cannabis plant material through screens to separate the trichomes (resin glands) from the plant material. This results in a potent form of cannabis similar to kief but made using only dry plant material.
Solvent Extraction
Solvent extraction
This process uses chemicals like butane or ethanol to extract the trichomes. This method is known for producing with high potency; however, it requires specialized equipment and skills.
Isolate
Isolate is a form of cannabis concentrate that has removed all other compounds, leaving only the desired cannabinoid. It is usually a powder and can be consumed in many ways, but is often used to make edibles.
Distillate
Cannabis Distillates are also made using a solventless method that requires heat and pressure to separate trichomes from plant material. Distillates are used in vape cartridges, edibles, and topical products.
Live Resin
Live resin is a type of cannabis concentrate that is made using fresh, frozen cannabis plant material rather than dried and cured plant material. The process of making live resin is similar to that of other concentrates like BHO or PHO. Still, fresh plant material is said to preserve more of the terpenes (aromatic compounds) in the final product resulting in a more flavorful and aromatic concentrate.
Trichomes Matter
Trichomes are essential to the cannabis plant, and preserving them during extraction is vital to producing high-quality, potent, and flavorful products. Understanding the different types of trichomes and extraction methods can help you make informed decisions about the products you consume, and we hope this article has sparked your interest in learning more!
We take great pride in producing high-quality cannabis products rich in trichomes. If you are interested in diving deeper into cannabis, please visit our latest blog that discusses how we name our strains by clicking here!
Article Summary:
In this article, OGEN discusses the importance of trichomes in cultivating high-quality cannabis. Trichomes are the small, mushroom-like structures found on the plant's surface responsible for creating each strain's distinct effects and flavors. The article delves into the world of trichomes, exploring their importance, different types, and the methods used to extract them. The report also explains that preserving trichomes is vital for cannabis extraction, as trichomes contain all the beneficial compounds like terpenes and cannabinoids. More trichomes preserved during extraction mean a more potent and flavorful end product. The article also explains different extraction methods and their pros and cons, like Solvent Extraction, Rosin, Bubble hash, dry ice Hash, and dry sift.
