5 Best Cannabis Strains for Extraction and Concentration
Resin is the gooey, sticky substance made in the trichomes of the female cannabis plant. It contains all the active compounds, including flavonoids, terpenes, and cannabinoids. Therefore, it is no surprise the best strains for making extracts and concentrates are not only heavy hitters in terms of cannabinoids but also rich in flavorful terpenes. Here are five of the best out there.
GG4
GG4 is a modern-day classic and an excellent strain for making concentrates. This is a well-loved strain, taking first place in Michigan and Los Angeles 2014 Cannabis Cups and the High Times Jamaican World Cup. Infamous for its powerful hybrid effects and 25-30 percent THC levels, it will leave you glued to the couch. GG4 is suitable for treating the symptoms of mild to moderate medical conditions. It is often used to relieve headaches and pain, as well as conditions such as arthritis.
GG4 also has an outstanding reputation for treating stress, anxiety, and depression. It delivers large yields and a surplus of gluey trichomes. So gluey that it helped earn this strain its controversial former name.
GG4 grows short and bushy with dense, sticky buds. This strain also punches heavy in terms of terpenes. It has a complex aroma of pungent skunk and diesel blended with punches of citrus lemon and chocolate and earthy, savory notes. This unique scent is handed down from its parent strains, Chem’s Sister, Sour Dubb, and Chocolate Diesel. All in all, GG4 will deliver a powerful flavor that translates well to extract and concentrate delivery methods such as dabbing.
White Widow
White Widow is cannabis royalty originating from the Netherlands producing extra-large yields of enormous, resin heavy, frosty white nugs — hence the name. It is known for its characteristic white snowy look and deliriously well-balanced sedative effects. Medicinally it is used for pain management, including the associated side effects of chemotherapy. White Widow crosses a Brazilian sativa landrace and a resin-heavy South Indian indica. It has a THC level of around 15-18 percent. This resinous strain is perfect for creating all kinds of extractions.
White Widow is also a delight to grow. It shows off its glistening good looks relatively early, with a quick flowering time of just 8-10 weeks. You can look forward to a delicious initial sweet citrus hit in aroma and flavor. However, this quickly dissipates, giving way to savory flavors of earth pinewood and some floral notes. The blend is just right for a great tasting concentrate. White Widow is an excellent choice for shatter, a popular form of extract that shows off this strain’s elevating, mind-centered effects perfectly.
Orange Sherbet Auto
Orange Sherbet Auto is considered one of the top strains to make hash and other concentrates. The ridiculous amount of resin produced by this strain and the unmistakable tangy taste make it a must for extract and concentrate fans. We could say that the bud is covered in a thick blanket of trichomes, but we would be lying as it doesn’t stop there. Even the leaves and stalks are covered.
With a high THC content of 24 percent, Orange Sherbet Auto has a potent uplifting and exhilarating effect. The regular Orange Sherbet is a creamy, fruity cross of Orange Cream, Purple Urkle, and Cherry Pie. It is ideal for social occasions or when some motivation is needed. Medicinal users choose it to manage pain and mental conditions like depression and stress.
Orange Sherbet Auto is a hardy plant thanks to its autoflower genes. It grows rapidly with a wide bushy appearance. The flavor is like a cocktail of fresh fruit. A very sharp and distinctive taste that balances the cerebral effect perfectly. It is a perfect choice for making hash.
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Granddaddy Purple
Granddaddy Purple, or GDP, is a good-looking plant. The ’Daddy has the goods to back it up too. Big Granddaddy P is popular with extract and concentrate enthusiasts, featuring exceptional resin production for extraction or concentration. Known for its purple color and calming effects, it was expressly bred from Mendo Purps, Skunk, and Afghanistan to create the dankest ‘true’ indica.
Granddaddy Purple delivers soaring THC levels of up to 27 percent, providing an intense and potent stone that’s body-heavy yet able to uplift mood. Medicinal users choose it to tackle chronic pain, lack of appetite, insomnia, depression, anxiety, and stress. GDP benefits from dense, compact, yet giant buds.
The leaves are bright green which pops beautifully against the electrifying purple tinges running throughout this flower and give it its name. Granddaddy Purple has some natural resistance to mold, disease, pests, and powdery mildew, taking some of the efforts out of cultivating it at least! The terpene profile on the first sniff is earthy musk, sweet and fruity terpene with a grape-like taste. Granddaddy Purple is excellent for making live resin as the process enhances the flavor incredibly.
Harlequin
Harlequin is notably different from the other strains on our list as it is the only one that is CBD-rich. Its lineage is one of authenticity featuring Colombian Gold and Nepali indica mixed with Swiss sativa and Thai sativa landrace strains.
With a 2:1 ratio of CBD to THC, Harlequin delivers clear-headed, focused effects at 14 percent CBD and seven percent THC. It instils the ability to unwind without feeling overly sedated or intoxicated. A sativa-dominant strain is excellent for those looking for the wellness benefits of the entourage effect rather than just the psychoactive effects of the THC.
As with the image of a folklore Harlequin, the dense round buds show off bright and bold contrasting colors of forest green, spotted with rusty orange and amber explosions of trichomes and pistils. Not to forget a dusting of shimmering trichomes. If you are growing it, the flowering time for Harlequin is 8-9 weeks. However, suppose your aim is to get the highest level of CBD. In that case, it is advisable to harvest your crop a little earlier than usual.
Harlequin is a sweet-smelling strain. At first, you will get earthy notes of wood and soil, but then you will taste the creamy vanilla and subtle, fruity mango. Rumor has it that Harlequin was first bred to be a hash-producing crop. Crossbreeding was so successful that it became one of the most popular medicinal cannabis strains on the market. Medical users use Harlequin for inflammation, pain, and muscle spasms.
Extract and concentrate popularity is on the rise due to their pure, potent characteristics. If you want to try making your own, you can’t go wrong with flavorful, frosty-coated resinous bud. Hopefully, we have given you an idea of some strains you can try out for the best results.
