Vape cartridges, often referred to as “carts,” are small containers filled with cannabis oil that can be attached to a battery-powered vaporizer. When activated, the battery heats the oil, turning it into a vapour that is inhaled. A number of advantages make this consumption method popular, including its portability, accuracy, and ease of use.
Traditional vape carts
Traditional vape carts typically contain cannabis oil that has been extracted from dried and cured cannabis flowers. The extraction process usually involves solvents like CO2 or ethanol to separate the desired compounds from the plant material.
- Extraction process – Uses dried and cured cannabis flowers.
- Terpene content – Often lower, as terpenes are lost during the drying and curing process.
- Consistency – Generally more uniform in colour and consistency.
- Flavor profile – This varies but is often less complex than live resin.
- Potency – Typically high in THC content.
- Price – Generally less expensive than live resin carts.
Live resin carts
Live resin is a type of cannabis concentrate that is made using fresh, flash-frozen cannabis plants instead of dried and cured buds. The plants are harvested and immediately frozen to subcritical temperatures before and throughout the extraction process.
- Extraction process – Uses fresh, flash-frozen cannabis plants.
- Terpene content – Higher, as the flash-freezing process preserves more terpenes.
- Consistency – Can vary, but often has a more sauce-like consistency.
- Flavor profile – Generally more complex and true to the original plant.
- Potency – High in THC, but with a more balanced cannabinoid and terpene profile.
- Price – Typically more expensive than traditional vape carts.
Key differences between live resin and traditional vape carts
Now that we’ve outlined the basic characteristics of both types of cbd hhc gummies let’s delve deeper into their key differences:
Extraction process
The most significant difference between live resin and traditional vape carts lies in their extraction processes.
- Traditional vape carts – The cannabis used in traditional carts goes through a drying and curing process before extraction. This process takes several weeks and involves hanging the harvested plants to dry, followed by curing in controlled conditions. Although this method preserves plant material for smoking, it loses some volatile compounds, particularly terpenes.
- Live resin carts – Live resin extraction begins with flash-freezing the freshly harvested cannabis plants. A trichome is a tiny, crystal-like structure on the surface of the plant that contains cannabinoids and terpenes. The frozen plant material is then extracted, usually using butane or propane as a solvent, in a closed-loop system.
Terpene profile
- Traditional vape carts – During the drying and curing process, some terpenes evaporate or degrade. As a result, traditional vape carts often have a lower terpene content compared to live resin carts. Some manufacturers add terpenes back into the oil after extraction to enhance the flavour profile.
- Live resin carts – The flash-freezing process used in live resin production preserves a much higher percentage of the plant’s original terpenes. This results in a more complex and nuanced flavour profile that’s closer to that of the original plant.
Flavor and aroma
The difference in terpene content between live resin and traditional carts significantly impacts their flavour and aroma.
- Traditional vape carts – While still flavorful, traditional carts may have a less complex taste profile. The flavour varies widely depending on the strain used and whether additional terpenes have been added post-extraction.
- Live resin carts – Live resin carts are known for their rich, complex flavours that more closely resemble the taste and smell of the fresh cannabis plant. Many users describe the flavour as more “true” to the original strain.
The choice between live resin and traditional vape carts comes down to personal preference, budget, and individual needs. For newcomers to vaping or particular products, it’s recommended to start with a low dose and purchase from reputable sources.