Picture this: You JUST scored some fire bud from the dispo. What do you look for when reviewing the flower you just purchased?
Nug size? THC percentage? Terpenes Listed? Aroma? Trichome Coverage? Harvest Date? None of these, let’s just smoke it?
To each their own, of course. The “quality” of cannabis is of equal importance to each independent consumer, but it’s crucial to have a general checklist of what kind of flower you like, and why.
Here is in inside look into our process for analyzing and researching cannabis flower – which is part of how we choose the flower on our menu.
1. Terpene Profiles & Certificate of Authenticity AKA - Lab Results
We believe terpene profiles currently offer the best glimpse into the nuanced scope of aromas and effects provided by cannabis. Recognizing how different terpenes affect you helps narrow down the selection of what you prefer.
While most brands include some form of terpene information on their packaging or brand website, we go beyond by requesting the Certificates of Authenticity for each new strain we receive and providing the most dominant terpenes on our online menu.
These Certificates of Authenticity contain a multitude of information including moisture content and cannabinoid ratios, but most important they show a full breakdown of the terpene percentages found in testing. By analyzing these lab results we offer an unbiased and respective opinion of the flower that removes unnecessary marketing that can often dilute value in the market.
2. Harvest & Package Date
Unlike terpene information, all of the dates (Harvest, Testing, Packaging, and Expiration) are transparent and available on every container and can be easily found on the white, state-required, tracking sticker. Harvest provides the exact date the flower was cut from the plant. The Package date signifies the “end” of the curing process and when the flower was packaged and sealed.
A two-month gap between harvest and packaging dates is typical since industry standards are around a 7-14 day drying process and a 2-5 week cure before packaging. However, every brand utilizes different techniques and practices unique to their facility, meaning a similar timeline between two different strains doesn’t inherently suggest similar quality.
The curing process is one of the most important steps of growing cannabis, and when done correctly, it allows the terpene profile to slowly diversify, advancing the aroma and effects of the flower.
3. Visual & Physical Checks (Trim/Structure/Trichome Coverage/Color)
The look of the flower is quite telling to the amount of attention and care given after harvest. Firstly, if the flower is roughly shaped and boxy, it implies a machine cut which can be more aggressive in removing trichomes as opposed to companies that hand-trim their buds for precision and quality.
Trichomes contain mostly all the cannabinoids and terpenes found in cannabis, and when they are visually noticeable (bud appears “frosty”), the quality of the flower tends to increase. When pressing the buds between two fingers you should be able to feel a sticky oil coat your skin, and the stickiness will also imply dense trichome coverage. Once ground, check the texture of the flower again to see if it easily sticks together or crumbles apart. The denser and stickier buds tend to have a more robust aroma and nuanced effects over dry, airy flower.
The color of your flower is mostly a genetic trait and not directly representative of any effects. Hues of green and purple are most common although tan or brown marks can be present or most commonly caused by light exposure or extended drying.
4. Palate Checks (Aroma whole & ground/Flavor)
The aroma and taste of cannabis flower has several different points of perception. For instance, when the jar is first opened there is an initial rush of scents as fresh air flows into the container. Compared to the aroma of when the trichomes are crushed (whether in-hand or by grinding), you may notice subtle changes to the scent.
The same change in sensation can be found for taste in between the beginning and end of a joint as the residual heat begins to melt trichomes before the “cherry” or embers reach them. We recommend a clean palate before rolling a joint or using a cleaned pipe when trying to pick up tasting notes while smoking. Leftover resin or “reclaim” that builds after use seriously impacts flavor.
5. Cultivator/Lineage/Breeder
Knowing which cultivator is responsible for growing the flower you’re smoking can be a deciding factor for the average consumer. Depending on a cultivator’s growing practices and equipment, their flower may hold a quality reputation regardless of the brand name on the box.
Knowing the lineage and original breeder of the flower can be an insightful expectation for a strain but can also be a red herring in today’s market. Strain names change over state lines and behind closed doors without consequence which leads the market to focus on
“buzzwords” or familiar-sounding terms to gain hype. We do our best to find authentic lineage information and maintain transparency with the products we carry.
With a fluctuating rotation of strains and new brands, it can be hard to remember what you had last or who made it, so we encourage people to keep track of their experiences, and note the qualities of the cannabis associated with it. Over time trends will develop specific likes and dis-likes allowing the shopping experience to be less overwhelmed by options, and more focused on curated quality.
If you made it here, you’re a real one. Thanks for reading. Catch you in the next one.
