Different Types of Solventless Concentrates

Depending on the solventless cannabis extraction methods, different types of solventless concentrates can be prepared. Here are the most popular types:

1. Hash (Dry Sift Hash)

The oldest solventless concentrate types, hash, are extracted using gravity and mechanical screening to separate trichomes from dried cannabis plant material.

How it works:

• Dried cannabis plant material is gently agitated over stacked mesh screens
• Trichome heads fall through and are collected, passing through multiple sifting screens
• Dry sift is further refined to achieve quality 

Key characteristics:

• Premium quality dry sift is a fine, sandy powder with a color ranging from tan to gold
• High-grade hash contains 60-90% cannabinoids
• Dry hash preserves terpenes exceptionally well 

Why it’s valued:

Dry sift is different from other solventless concentrate types for its simplicity, excellent terpene retention, and authentic representation of strain characteristics. Also, premium-quality hash is an excellent starting material for high-end rosin production. 

2. Ice Water Hash (Bubble Hash)

Also known as bubble hash, ice water hash is another popular solventless concentrate. It is produced using freezing water to mechanically separate trichomes from cannabis.

How it works:

• Cannabis material is submerged in ice-cold water (32-34°F) and agitated
• Brittle trichome heads are prone to breaking away from plant material
• The water-trichome mixture was filtered progressively using finer micron filter bags
• Collected bubble hash is dried using freeze-dryers 

Key characteristics:

• The concentrate type is available in several forms, ranging from greasy, full-melt consistency (high-grade) to crumbly and thick
• Bubble hash color spans from blonde to light brown 
• The potency can reach 70-90% cannabinoids 

Why it’s valued:

Among types of solventless extracts, bubble hash achieves the highest purity levels. The use of cold water preserves delicate terpenes. High purity is ideal for dabbing or pressing into rosin.

3. Live Hash

Live hash can be considered a premium variation of ice water hash. It is extracted from fresh-frozen cannabis rather than dried material. 

How it works:

• Cannabis plants are harvested at peak maturity and immediately flash-frozen
• Ice water extraction is used to separate terpenes from frozen material
• The process prevents any terpene evaporation or degradation, capturing the complete aromatic profile 

Key characteristics:

• A more intense, complex terpene profile with pronounced aromas
• This concentrate type appears lighter in color (blonde to pale gold) with a more resinous texture
• Terpene content can exceed 10-15% of total weight 

Why it’s valued:

Live hash is counted among the solventless concentrate types that deliver the most authentic strain-specific flavors and aromas possible. It is also a raw material for live rosin production and is favored by connoisseurs for maximum terpene expression.

4. Rosin

Rosin is one of the traditional solventless concentrate types that home extractors or commercial processors can easily create using only heat and pressure without specialized equipment or solvents.

How it works:

• Cannabis flower, hash, or kief is pressed between heated metal plates using a rosin press
• The application of heat and pressure causes resinous compounds to flow out 
• Rosin is collected on parchment paper 

Key characteristics:

• Rosin has a diverse texture, including shatter, sap, budder, and badder
• Depending on the starting material, pressing temperature, and post-press manipulation, it can be light golden to deep amber 
• It typically preserves 70-85% cannabinoids

Why it’s valued:

Rosin has democratized solventless extract production by making the process accessible without dangerous solvents or expensive closed-loop systems. It is a clean and flavorful concentrate type offering excellent versatility in texture and consistency manipulation.

5. Live Rosin

Live rosin represents the pinnacle of solventless concentrate types, combining fresh-frozen starting material with heat-press extraction. It is the most premium cannabis concentrate available.

How it works:

• Fresh-frozen cannabis undergoes ice water extraction to create live hash
• Live hash is freeze-dried to remove all moisture
• The dried live hash is pressed at low temperatures to produce live rosin

Key characteristics:

• This concentrate type delivers unmatched terpene profiles, often 12-20% terpene content
• Live rosin is intensely flavorful and aromatic
• Physically, this solventless concentrate is sauce-like with terp-heavy consistency

Why it’s valued:

Solventless live rosin is considered the ultimate concentrate type by connoisseurs. It is prized for its peak flavor, purity, and strain authenticity. It retains complete terpene profiles, full cannabinoid spectrums, and authentic effects.