Live Rosin vs Live Resin
When it comes to types of cannabis you can use in a PAX Flower devices or Era Oil devices, live rosin and live resin are two of the most frequently confused terms. They're both concentrates, and they have very similar names, so we get the mix-up. But once you learn a little about live resin vs rosin, you'll find that they're very different. The best option typically depends on your unique needs and preferences. To figure out whether live resin or rosin is right for you, you need to carefully consider these factors.
What is Live Rosin?
With the recent release of PAX Live Rosin pods for PAX Era in select markets, we wanted to help shed some light on this time-honored extraction method. Live rosin extraction involves the use of high heat and pressure on cannabis plants. The most common technique involves putting ice water hash (also called full melt bubble hash) on a heated press and squeezing it to release hot oil. This results in a gold substance that can be gooey like honey, or it can be a firm, buttery substance like crumble wax. To ensure live rosin that’s flavorful and potent, it’s important to start with cannabis flower that’s fresh frozen from at peak harvest.
What is Live Resin?
Live Resin is made with a combination of flash freezing and solvent extraction. The big difference between cured resin vs live resin is that live resin uses cannabis plant material that was cryogenically frozen right after harvest. This ensures that the plant doesn't lose all of its delicate flavor compounds. Next, a hydrocarbon solvent flows over the cannabis and pulls out the cannabis compounds. Finally, the solvent evaporates, leaving behind a sticky, amber-colored material with a slightly sugary texture.
Rosin and Resin Terpene and cannabinoid content
Due to their different extraction processes, live rosin and resin may have different amounts of psychoactive cannabinoids and terpenes. Historically, live resin has had an edge in retaining natural terpenes and cannabinoids due to the cryogenic freezing process. However, modern live rosin processes can match and even rival resin if the manufacturer immediately freezes high-grade cannabis flower at harvest. This locks in the trichomes before extraction. That’s why PAX only uses live rosin made from premium, fresh frozen cannabis.
Is Rosin or Resin stronger?
When comparing potency between live rosin and live resin, factors like the type of cannabis, the equipment, and the processing speed can all affect THC content. PAX Live Rosin delivers 80%-87.5% THC. Meanwhile, resin's THC content tends to be somewhere between 65% to 95%. With all this variation, there's no guarantee any given resin will be noticeably stronger than a random rosin. If you want the absolute strongest concentrate possible, some brands of resin might have a little extra THC. However, for the typical product, there won't be a discernible difference. You'll need to carefully read the label for each specific product to see how much THC is in it.
How Live Rosin and Resin are Made
Both live rosin and live resin are different types of wax dabs made by extracting all the best parts of the cannabis plant and turning them into a sticky substance. However, resin uses a more complex extraction method that involves hydrocarbon solvents such as butane and propane. The live rosin extraction process is simpler — using just a heat and pressure press without any solvents.
Live Rosin and Resin Flavors and Aromas
The main difference between live rosin vs resin is in their tastes. The higher the terpene content, the greater the flavor enhancements. High-terpene resin tends to have a lot stronger flavors and smells. In fact, you may be able to tell the difference between resin and rosin just by smelling them. Resin flavors also tend to be more complex. Instead of a few single notes of earthy, piney, or floral flavor, they'll have undertones of scents like mango, lavender, cedar, or cocoa.
However, keep in mind that concentrate quality does depend on the quality of the initial ingredients. This means that a rosin made with high-quality cannabis will be better than resin made with low-quality cannabis. If a resin producer is using a very basic cannabis strain without much flavor, the resulting resin can be dull and tasteless. Since resin more accurately preserves the flavor of the plant, harsh and bitter flavors from bad cannabis may be more prominent. Rosin isn't quite as flavorful as resin, but it still does a great job of providing you with intense tastes.
What do Live Rosin and Live Resin Cost?
Concentrates have a higher cost than a similar weight of dried cannabis, but they can last longer as they're a lot stronger. Though you pay more up front for resin or rosin, you get more THC per dollar spent. This makes both resin and rosin very cost-effective.
Live rosin tends to be a more artisanal product, so it's no surprise that it costs more than resin. Especially when made by hand, rosin has to be done in small batches. Prices will vary a bit depending on what brand you select and how much you buy. However, expect each gram of live rosin to cost around $30 more than a comparable gram of live weed resin.
The Bottom Line
Ultimately, both rosin and resin can create an enjoyable cannabis experience. There's no overwhelming winner in the resin vs rosin battle. That being said, we do find that live rosin tends to be a little more universally popular. It's a big step up from dried cannabis, and it provides a lot of enjoyable flavors and sensations. Unlike shatter weed, rosin's solvent-free, which can be a major plus for those concerned about chemical exposure. However, resin also has its own perks. It lets you enjoy a wide range of flavors, is very strong, and is typically more budget-friendly.
Remember that there's no rule saying you have to stick to one type of concentrate. Many cannabis enthusiasts enjoy using both. Reliable, classic rosin is great for an everyday vaporizing session while intense resin can be fun to enjoy every now and then. To see which style you prefer, grab your PAX vaporizer and try them out.
