Live Resin vs Distillate: Which Is Better?

If you’ve been shopping around for alternative cannabinoids, then you’ve likely heard of terms like “live resin” and “distillate”. You may have also wondered what the differences between them are. Well, you’ve come to the right place. In this guide, we’ll dig into the real distinctions between live resin vs distillate – from how they’re made to their effects. 

What Is live resin?

There’s a high chance you’ve seen products like live resin vapes and live resin carts growing in popularity. Firstly, let’s go over what live resin is. It’s a concentrate that starts from flash frozen harvested cannabis plants. Live resin is a full-spectrum concentrate because it preserves the plant’s complete terpene profile. Its appearance depends on the strain but is typically looser consistency with a golden color. Live resin is available in products like disposable vapes or vape cartridges.

What is Distillate?

Distillate is a type of concentrate with a more complex extraction process than most concentrates. It starts from dried, cured cannabis buds. Containing a higher concentration of cannabinoids, distillate lacks smell, taste, and flavor, which makes it a great base to formulate specific flavor profiles. You can find cannabinoid distillate in products like vape carts, edibles, and disposable vapes. 

The Differences Between live resin vs Distillate

Now that we’ve gone over their basic definitions, let’s explore further and discuss the differences between live resin vs distillate. 

The Extraction Process

The first difference between live resin vs distillate lies in how they’re made. As we mentioned earlier, the oil in products like live resin carts is made from flower that’s been flash frozen immediately after harvesting. On the other hand, distillate starts from dried and cured buds. live resin extraction occurs at low temperatures to preserve the terpenes. Meanwhile, distillate undergoes an extensive solvent-based purification process where fairly high heat is used.

Terpenes 

Perhaps the most significant difference between live resin vs distillate are the terpenes. Terpenes are the compounds responsible for a strain’s aroma and flavor. The process of making the oil in live resin carts preserves the plant’s terpenes. This results in an aromatic and flavorful smoking or vaping experience. Many of its consumers find that live resin mimics the experience of consuming cannabis buds. When it comes to distillate, the process strips the terpenes away and extractors typically add them back into it. Out of the two, live resin has the highest levels of terpenes. 

THC Content

Compared to live resin, distillate typically contains a higher percentage of cannabinoids, as its process strips the terpenes away and later adds themback in. Live resin cannabinoid quantity ranges from 45%-90% while distillate tends to have 90%-99%.

Live Resin vs Distillate: Smoking Experience

When it comes to live resin vs distillate smoking experiences, the effects associated with consuming live resin is often compared to smoking dried flower. They’re similar in overall aroma as well as taste. Consuming distillate, on the other hand, isn’t as flavorful since it has a lower concentration of terpenes. 

Live Resin vs Distillate: Which Is Better?

So in the great debate of live resin vs distillate which is better? Well, that depends on the type of experience you’re looking for. Some find that distillate products may offer a more streamlined cannabinoid experience while products like live resin carts may offer a more dynamic and flavorful one. The best way to find out which you prefer is to try them yourself and see which you prefer. If you have already, which was your favorite and why? Let us know in the comments. Stay Mellow. 

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