Understanding Butane Hash Oil (BHO) and Rosin
If you’re new to cannabinoid products, you may have come across products called rosin and Butane Hash Oil. There are some key differences between these two types of products, meaning one may be a better fit for your needs over the other. Below, we’ll highlight the key differences and offer some advice on which one may best suit what you’re looking for.
What is Butane Hash Oil (BHO)?
First, there’s Butane Hash Oil, which is a type of concentrated cannabis extract that uses butane as a solvent. The butane works to strip cannabinoids, such as THC and CBD, terpenes, and other compounds from the plant. As a result, you get a highly potent resin or oil, which can range in consistency from a sticky liquid to a brittle glass-like solid to a soft wax form. The BHO method produces some of the most powerful cannabis products, with THC concentrations above 70 to 90 percent.
What Is Rosin?
Rosin, on the other hand, is made without using any solvents. Instead, to create a rosin, heat and pressure are used to extract cannabinoids, terpenes, and other compounds from the cannabis flower. The process involves placing cannabis inside parchment paper, then applying heat and pressure using a rosin press. The rosin press squeezes out the resin oil, leaving behind the plant material.
Key Differences Between BHO and Rosin
There are a few key differences between BHO and resin products. The biggest difference is the extraction process, but there are also differences that impact the consumer. For example, Rosin retains more of its natural terpenes, which lends itself to richer flavors and aromas. BHO, on the other hand, tends to test higher in cannabinoid concentration due to solvent efficiency. Lastly, since producing rosin is a bit more labor-intensive and has more of an artisanal appeal, it tends to be more expensive.
Production and Safety Considerations
Some users of cannabis products want to know more about the production process so that they can use the product they deem safer. Generally speaking, rosin is considered safer since it doesn’t use any chemical solvents. BHO products, if they aren’t properly purged, can contain trace amounts of the solvents used. As a result, health-conscious users tend to prefer rosin. However, most BHO products are properly lab-tested to ensure their purity before being released.
Evaluating the Qualities of BHO vs Rosin
So, which product is right for you? Here are a few factors you’ll want to consider:
Potency: Which Concentrate Packs a Stronger Punch?
Overall, BHO products tend to have a higher concentration of cannabinoids. That being said, both products are available with THC concentrations over 70 percent. This is especially true of rosin products made from hash, which can even surpass BHO in potency, depending on the source material. If you’re looking for the most potent product, you can select either. You’ll want to compare individual products to see if they match your desired potency level.
Flavor and Terpene Profiles
Since the rosin production process doesn’t involve any solvents, it tends to keep more of its flavor and terpene profiles. This is especially true if the rosin product was made from live material, which offers even richer flavors and aromas. That being said, BHO products can still offer plenty of flavor. It comes down to whether the BHO product was made from a high-quality input and whether it was purged properly during the production process.
Quality, Yield, and Texture
Rosin is typically considered the cleaner and more natural option of the two. There is no risk of chemical contamination with rosin, and if it’s made from fresh-frozen materials, it retains many of its terpenes. Top-shelf rosin is typically seen as a premium craft extract and of the highest quality.
But while rosin tends to offer a higher, cleaner quality, this comes at the cost of a lower yield. BHO offers significantly higher yields, getting 15 to 30 percent from a flower, compared to 10 to 25 percent when pressing a flower for rosin. The yield amount doesn’t just impact sellers, as the lower yield and labor-intensive process of rosin tends to result in higher consumer prices.
If texture is important to you, both rosin and BHO products are available in a wide range. Rosin can range from sap-like (sticky and runny) to more stable, coin-like products. It all depends on the temperature and technique used to create the rosin. BHO can also be manipulated into many textures, such as shatter, wax, sauce, diamonds, and crumble. The broader range of textures for BHO products makes it a popular choice for consumers who like a specific consistency for dabbing.
Shelf Life and Storage
Finally, you’ll want to consider the shelf life of your product. Since rosin contains more unrefined plant compounds and terpenes, it’s more prone to degradation from heat, air, and light, giving it a shorter shelf life. If not stored properly, rosin can darken, lose aroma, and change texture. Live rosin, which has higher terpene levels, is even more susceptible to degradation.
Conversely, BHO tends to have a longer shelf life. Since the extraction process removes much of the moisture and more volatile compounds, BHo products tend to remain more stable over time. For long-term storage, consider opting for sauce or diamonds, as these retain their texture and potency longer under average storage conditions.
Making the Decision: Should You Get BHO or Rosin?
So, which product is right for you, BHO or rosin? It all comes down to your personal preferences and needs. We recommend exploring rosin products if you want a cleaner, more flavorful product and don’t mind spending a little extra. If you’d prefer a product with a longer shelf-life, higher potency, and usually more affordable, check out BHO products.
For more help deciding on which products to explore, stop by Stoops NYC, the best dispensary in NYC, or contact us with any questions. We have a wide range of rosin and BHO products, and our knowledgeable team members would be happy to provide you with some recommendations. With our help, and a little trial and error, you can find the right rosin or BHO products that perfectly fit your needs.
Image by Christopher Ott | Licensed with Unsplash License