Dabs 101: Beginner’s Guide to Cannabis Concentrates

If you’re a fan of the saying “a little goes a long way,” chances are you’re also a fan of dabs. 

Dabs are part of the cannabis concentrate family and come in many forms. Besides having an array of options to pick from, stoners also love dabs for their ultra-potent cannabinoid content and their immediate on-set. 

But with many to choose from, how do you know which to buy? What makes cannabis concentrates different from each other, anyway? If this is all new to you, don’t worry. Green is here to give you a little Dabs 101 lesson. Today we’re talking about cannabis concentrates and their various consistencies.

What are cannabis concentrates? 

Cannabis concentrates are extracts from the cannabis plant. These products are made by distilling down the most desirable parts of the plants. In other words, they contain all the cannabinoids and terpenes, and none of the excess plant matter. Compared to the flower of the same weight, concentrates have a much higher potency of cannabinoids and terpenes. 

How are cannabis concentrates made? 

There are many different techniques for extracting cannabis concentrates. We talk more about this in our Solvent-Based vs. Solventless Cannabis Extracts article. In short, solvent-based extracts use liquid solutions to separate the resinous trichomes from the marijuana plant. Some examples of solvents used are butane, propane, alcohol, among others.  

Solvent-less, on the other hand, uses chemical-free methods to extract the flower. For instance, rosin uses heat and pressure to squeeze out an extract that can then be smoked. Other forms of solvent-less extraction include ice water and dry sifting. 

Each extraction process ultimately creates a collection of consistencies, appearances, and qualities. 

What is a dab?

In the world of cannabis, dabbing and cannabis concentrates often go hand-in-hand. It should be noted though, that not all cannabis concentrates need to be “dabbed” to be consumed.

The reason they are often used synonymously is that dabbing is the most common consumption method for cannabis concentrates. It involves a process of heating the concentrate to a high enough temperature that it vaporizes, thus producing a highly potent vapor that consumers can inhale.

How to dab cannabis concentrates

Most commonly, people use dab rigs to consume their cannabis concentrates. This method consists of heating the rig’s nail with a torch and then placing the wax directly on the hot surface. Because of its extremely high temperature, it immediately turns into an inhalable vapor. 

Dab rigs look like bongs, but rather than a bowl for flower, it has a nail. Most rigs are made from glass, while the nails (because they need to withstand high temperatures) are made out of quartz, ceramic, or titanium. 

Alternatives to dabbing

As we mentioned earlier, dabbing is not the only way cannabis concentrates can be consumed. Some alternatives to dabbing include:

• Sprinkle on top of flower: This is a simple way to increase your flower’s potency without putting in much effort. An easy way to do this is by sprinkling some wax inside a blunt or joint. 
• Use a vape pen: Most dispensaries sell pre-filled vape pens that offer an easy and discreet way to consume cannabis concentrates. While the potency may not be as high as true dabs, it still has an immediate on-set. Similarly, dispensaries often carry dab pens that can be purchased and filled with a concentrate of your choice. 

Types of Cannabis Concentrate Consistencies

Dispensary menus are often filled with many various types of concentrates. No need to worry, though – here’s how you can distinguish between them: 

• Wax: Dry and crumbly. Some also use “wax” as an umbrella term for the following consistencies.
  
• Budder: Wetter than wax and often whipped into a creamy, peanut-butter-like texture. Most often yellow or orange in color. 
• Badder: Many manufacturers use “badder” interchangeably with “budder,” though typically, badder is a bit more oily and has a cake-batter-like consistency. Both budder and batter are malleable and are easy to spread on blunts or joints. 
• Crumble: Brittle and has a crumbly, honeycomb consistency. Similar in color to budder or baddy, but does not have a glossy finish. 
• Diamonds: These get their name because of their stone-like appearance. Diamonds are another term for the crystalline structures that form in sauce.
• Oil: Runny and smooth, like cooking oil. Users can smoke, vape, rub into the skin, or use oil in edibles.
• Sauce: Sticky and thick, looks like apple sauce. 
• Sugar: Looks like wet sugar. Colors can range from bright yellow to deep amber. 
• Shatter: A brittle, glass-like concentrate that shatters into tiny shards when broken. Usually is a golden yellow to amber color throughout.
  
• Snap-and-pull: Similar to shatter, but stretches like taffy when pulled. Sometimes called “sap.” 

Looking to try some cannabis concentrates? Our menu has plenty of options to choose from! Shop our selection online, or you can contact us here for any additional questions. We’d also love for you to follow us on Instagram to stay up-to-date on the latest Green news, products, and events.