Holywater, Live Resin, And The Future Of Terpene-rich Cannabis Concentrates

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Cannabis concentrates have really jumped to the forefront of the industry in recent years. An increasing number of patients are being turned on to the rapid relief offered by portable vape pens and glass concentrate rigs that allow you to intake a high concentration of cannabinoids in a matter of seconds.

Traditionally speaking, many concentrate makers have made it a point to strive for the highest percentage of tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) in their product as possible. But increasing knowledge about terpenes and their interaction with cannabinoids found in the cannabis plant has brought about a great deal of interest in a new class of terpene-rich concentrates.

What Is HolyWater? What Is Terp Sap?
If you’ve been paying close attention to the concentrate community, then you’ve most likely heard the term HolyWater at some point. With a host of positive endorsements from cannabis industry icons, it seems clear that we’re seeing the next step in the evolution of concentrates.

That being said, there has been a bit of confusion as to what the product actually is; some people have said that there is water in the final product and others have suggested that there are high levels of residual butane. However, results from recent lab-tests have shown both of these assumptions are false.

“Most samples of concentrate clock-in with around 4% percent total terpenoid content. HolyWater, on the other hand, has routinely been tested with 20% terps or more.”

HolyWater is in fact BHO – this means the process is simlar to most samples of shatter, wax, etc. that you would find at your local collective. What sets HolyWater apart is its high terpene content, which gives it more of a sappy, liquid consistency.

Addison DeMoura, COO of Steep Hill Halent Labs, is a self-proclaimed concentrate lover and has seemingly made it his mission to help improve the community’s knowledge on the topic. As he explains, the aroma from a one-gram container of HolyWater is comparable to that of “a whole bag of weed.”

DeMoura goes on to say that most samples of concentrate clock-in with around 4% percent total terpenoid content. HolyWater, on the other hand, has routinely been tested with 20% terps or more.

Upon hearing this, many people jump to the conclusion that HolyWater must contain a certain amount of terpenes that were reintroduced to the formula at some point. This is true of products likeThe Clear, in which food-grade terpenes are added to enhance the flavor profile, but HolyWater is a different beast altogether; they have simply dialed in a process that allows them to preserve a much higher percent of terpenes found in the live cannabis plant. Interestingly enough, HolyWater still clocks-in with nearly twice the terpene content of most batches of The Clear.

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What Are The Benefits Of Live Resin Extractions?
Earlier this week, I had a chance to speak with Rob SpOILed of the SpOILed Patients Collective. He studied under Eric “the pope” Heisenberg, who was the first to dial-in the HolyWater method some five years ago, and has won multiple awards in this year’s competition circuit with their Terp Sap. According to Rob, much of the secret lies in the freshness of their source material.

“As much of 60% of a plant’s terpene content is lost during the drying process.” – Kenneth “K” Morrow

Most concentrate makers prefer to work with material that has been dried out, much like it would have been if it were being distributed as flowers. Heisenberg’s HolyWater and SpOILed’s Terp Sap are often produced using freshly harvested plants, which has led to it being referred to as “live resin” in many cirlces. This process allows them to retain much more of the plant’s original aroma and flavor profile. (Note: Due to their proprietary extraction method, HolyWater has tested above 10% terpenoid content even when using dry material)

As explained to me by Kenneth “K” Morrow, founder of Trichome Technologies, the Handbook of Essential Oils reports that as much of 60% of a plant’s terpene content is lost during the drying process. Compound that with the terpenes that are lost in the midst of your typical extraction and we’re left with just a fraction of the terpenes found in the resin of a live cannabis plant.

Morrow is no stranger to this problem, and he has been working with Across International to develop a terpene isolator in order to help concentrate makers capture these pure terpenes and later reintroduce them to their high-THC concentrates. That being said, he expressed his sentiments that HolyWater is “a very incredible product.”

Terpene-Rich Concentrates: Next Step In The Evolution Of Cannabis?
The amount of flavor found in one tiny bottle of HolyWater or Terp Sap is enough to change a person’s perspective on the amount of flavor that concentrate makers can achieve. It seems obvious to me that we will one day look back on these terpene-rich concentrates as the next step in the evolution of cannabis.

I would expect HolyWater’s liquid consistency to be nearly perfect for use with portable vape pens like the Cloud Platinum, Vaped Nano, and the Dr. GreenThumb X Cloud Pen. However, it will be runnier than what patients who prefer to dab their concentrates are used to – Rob SpOILed suggests using a spatula or a spoon to help solve the issue of dripping.

“Patients who are looking for a high dose of THC from their dabs are able to get the best of both worlds by mixing a bit of Holy Water with their favorite concentrate.”

Still, these terpene-rich concentrates are already becoming a favorite among connoisseurs. Those patients who are looking for a high dose of THC from their dabs are able to get the best of both worlds by mixing a bit of HolyWater or Terp Sap with their favorite concentrate.

In fact, Addison demoura told me that a mixture of the “HolyWater” & The Clear Raw (often tests around 90% THC), first mixed and coined the “Holy Grail” by Lil Wolverine, is his favorite thing to dab lately; it allows him to get the sort of flavor he loves from the HolyWater and the high dose of cannabinoids his body needs from The Clear.

While most of us are just now catching up to speed as far as these terpene-rich extracts are concerned, some concentrate makers have already started to take things one step further, using food-grade terpenes as their extraction solvent. Horatio Delbert astonished his fellow competitors at the Pacific Northwest Secret Cup earlier this year when he unveiled his limonene honey oil (LHO).

Questions remain about whether or not butane is the safest possible solvent to use when producing concentrates, so the more options patients can choose from the better. As cannabis becomes more accepted in the mainstream, people will continue to evolve their extraction processes – this can only be positive as the industry develops.

There Is An Increasing Interest In Isolated Terpenes
As you may already know, terpenes are aromatic compounds that are largely responsible for the smell and taste of cannabis. They are also believed to interact synergistically with cannabinoids to improve the efficacy of medical marijuana.

With that said, relatively little is known about terpenes as far as cannabis is concerned. Most often, the cannabis community thinks of them solely as a source of aroma and flavor in their favorite strain of cannabis. However, there are a number of possible applications for terpenes that are unknown to many people who consider themselves a cannabis connoisseur.

“There are rumors about a number of pure terpene products expected to be on the market in the very near future.”

For instance, many third-party testing facilities lab-test various cannabis strains and infused products. They are then able to use their database to determine what the average terpene profile for each strain is, and compare future test samples with these standards. The same process could potentially help determine the genetic lineage of a particular strain in a case where it is unknown.

Even further, terpenes are of interest to a number of investigators in their own right. A great deal of focus in the cannabis industry has turned towards the isolation of terpenes and the potential application of such a process. In fact, there are rumors about a number of pure terpene products expected to be on the market in the very near future – most notably from The Werc Shop and Cannabis Biotech.

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Terpenoids Can Be Isolated During Marijuana Extractions
Kenny “K” Morrow is one of the most sought-after cannabis consultants in the world. Through his company Trichome Technologies, Kenny consults on everything from grow room specifications and cultivation to processing and extractions. According to him, he stumbled on the possibility of isolating terpenes while conducting large-scale cannabis extractions.

He was consistently dealt the task of handling up to 1,000 grams of winterized concentrate at one time, and quickly realized a flaw in equipment that is commonly used to purge extraction solvents. Many extract artists make use of a vacuum-drying oven in order to fully purge their cannabis concentrate, and Kenny soon realized that he was going through pump oil at a much faster rate than expected.

Terpenes were being lost as a result of the purging process, which explains why over-purged concentrate often has little-to-no flavor.”

Assuming that moisture must be contaminating the pump oil, Kenny called the manufacturers – Across International – in an attempt to learn what was going on. He says the lab tech was very helpful in making improvements to the vacuum oven and suggested adding another component to capture the excess moisture and solvent before it reaches the pump oil.

Improvements made, Kenny soon realized that more than just water and solvent was being captured when he depressurized the chamber and was struck in the face with a splash of what he initially thought was Lysol. That being said, he quickly determined that the substance must be terpenes. The flavorful, aromatic compounds were being lost as a result of the purging process, which explains why over-purged concentrate often has little-to-no flavor.

Upon experimentation, Kenny realized he was able to collect large volumes of water and alcohol, and minute amounts of volatile terpenes. He could then winterize the solution, and be left with pure, isolated terpenes as the finished product. He was then able to separate the water and alcohol, using a graduated cylinder or seperatory funnel, and be left with terpenes as the collected product.

The Future Of Terpenes & Terpenoid Isolation
News about Kenny’s successful terpenoid isolation quickly spread and Across International soon asked him to aid in the mass production of a similar product. K agreed to help with the product, and its promotion, on the condition that they would tailor the ovens to his specifications and with the isolation of terpenes in mind.

That being noted, Kenny says that Across is currently in the beta testing phase for their cold trap / terpene accumulator, but he speculates that they could be ready as early as next month. Additionally, he predicts that they could be a game changer, allowing “every 20-something hash maker access to pure terpenes.” He contends that the process will be relatively simple and every-day extract artists will be able to reintroduce previously-lost terpenes to their finished cannabis concentrates.

Furthermore, K insists that only a small amount of isolated terpenes would be necessary as a flavor additive to finished extracts. Therefore, he expects to see a number of cannabis enthusiasts vaporizing pure terpene extracts made from their favorite strain.

Surely, increased access to the terpenes found in cannabis would warrant more research on the family of compounds. While one is able to order terpenes on the internet, they rarely, if ever, cannabis based and studies of them could be irrelevant. It is due to this that Kenny believes “terpenes are the most understudied component of the plant.” He hopes that his progress in terpenoid isolation helps add to our knowledge.

Terpenes are the most understudied component of the plant.” - Kenny “K” Morrow

According to K, his focus has transitioned to the identification of terpenes. He hopes to determine whether there are any terpenes unique to cannabis. If so, he wants to investigate them to determine what benefits they may hold. If not, Kenny plans to investigate the unique synergistic interaction of terpenes in cannabis.

Regardless of the prospective findings, detailed studies about terpenes are sure to improve our overall knowledge about cannabis. In fact, it is not unlikely that an increased access to the terpenoids could lead to less focus on the cannabinoids in cannabis alone. As Kenny pointed out during an interview, “one plus one might equal three” when you consider cannabis and the compounds it consists of.

Photos courtesy of: Trichome Technologies

Editor’s Note: Kenneth “K” Morrow is the Founder of Trichome Technologies and the author of Marijuana Horticulture Fundamentals: A Comprehensive Guide to Cannabis Cultivation and Hashish Production. He’s participated in educational forums at various events, including the 2013 Emerald Cup.

At the moment, concentrate makers worldwide are producing, or attempting to produce, an absolute – a hard piece of see-through shatter/glass. Essentially, what they are looking for is a stable piece of concentrate that can be held in hand without sticking to it. To achieve this goal, they utilize various methods and equipment such as winterization, vacuum purging, and vacuum drying ovens.

The levels of tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) in concentrates overall are getting higher, some exceed 80% THC (either in the raw THCA form or as activated Δ-9 THC). But the pursuit of elevated THC levels has come at the expense of terpenes.

The Role Of Terpenes In Cannabis Concentrates
Terpenes/terpenoids, which are responsible for the aroma and flavor of cannabis, are oil and alcohol based. Thus, the more of them present in a concentrate, the softer and more fluid it will be. The harder it is, the less terpenoids are present.

The act of winterization removes fat and wax from concentrates, but also removes terpenes. Then the act of vacuum purging (or using a vacuum drying oven) removes both the solvent and terpenes. Add heat to the equation, and terpenoids evaporate rapidly.

“Pure THC does not taste pleasant, and adding terpenoids to the equation certainly helps.”

While this results in a final product that is absent of residual solvent, it will also be devoid of many terpenes; not all terpenes – just the lighter oils that are predominately responsible for smell/flavor.

Pure THC does not taste pleasant, and adding terpenoids to the equation certainly helps.

Mind you, all this doesn’t even take into account the “entourage effects” of combining different levels of terpenes and cannabinoids; it has been said that this is largely responsible for the medicinal benefits and slight differences in the perceived “high” from various strains of cannabis.

Preserving Terpenes When Producing Cannabis Extracts
The article entitled Cannabis Oil: Chemical Evaluation of an Upcoming Cannabis Medicine makes clear the issues at hand. A team of researchers led by Dr. Luigi L. Romano and Dr. Arno Hazekamp compared various common extraction methods to determine the effectiveness of each one.

They were unable to figure out how to decarboxylate the concentrate, or how to completely rid it of solvent, without evaporating all the terpenoids. As a result, they were left with cannabinoid-rich concentrates with less than the desired levels of terpenoids.

“Once the terpenoids are separated, they should be sealed in airtight containers and placed in a dark refrigerator to prevent degradation by heat, light, or oxygen.”

Therefore, the logical answer is to first remove and concentrate all essential oils/terpenoids. Then you may reintroduce them to the final product.

By first removing the terpenoids, they are whole in composition and the closest aroma to the original plant. Once the terpenoids are separated, they should be sealed in airtight containers and placed in a dark refrigerator to prevent degradation by heat, light, or oxygen.

From there, the cannabinoids can be extracted without losing or destroying any terpenoids.

The final composition of the extract will be determined by the extraction method and solvents utilized. For infused edibles ethanol extraction may be preferred, while extract artists will utilize both ethanol and butane to produce extracts.

terpenes2.jpg


Across International Develops A Whole Terpenoid Isolator
It seems that a revolutionary change will be spurred by the introduction of Across International‘s soon-to-be-released Whole Terpenoid Isolator, which was developed in conjunction with Trichome Technologies™ and Kenneth Morrow. It took three years to design and develop the component, and Morrow claims it is the single most important cannabis devlopment since Dr. Raphael Mechoulam discovered the THC molecule in 1964.

Aside from one study conducted by Dr. Alexander Shulgin in 1971, and another that was performed more recently by David Watson & Robert C. Clarke, little research has been done on the topic of cannabis-derived terpenes.

“Plant-based terpenoids are available en masse (e.g. limonene, pinene, etc.), but they are derived from citrus fruit and pine trees.”

Why is this so? Because it has not been feasible to extract whole-composition terpenoids derived from cannabis.

Plant-based terpenoids are available en masse (e.g. limonene, pinene, etc.), but they are derived from citrus fruit and pine trees. It is possible to extract terpenoids utilizing a gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GCMS), but only minute amounts that have been exposed to heat, or by distillation and other means.

However, this essential oil is only considered the artifacts of the original composition, as the lighter volatile oils were destroyed by heat or carried off with the water vapor/steam. The resulting product pales in comparison to the whole terpene composition.

Before this invention it has not been possible to capture cannabis-derived terpenoids in whole composition form. But the Whole Terpenoid Isolator does just that, which could allow us to research the plant like it has never been done before.
 
zeke

zeke

1,180
263
Cold traps are nice. I went to a dab bar the other day and had a blast. The dabs tasted good. The tastes were certainly artificial. Sure geranium oil is natural but it is not a normal occurance in cannabis. When it's added to a cannabis extract it is an additive. Of course there are strains that naturally produce geraniol. Catch it in your cold trap and add it back to your extract. I like that version of an additive way better than just adding limonine and other foreign non indigenous terpenes to an extract. Yeah they taste good but like all artificial flavorings and additives should be viewed by the potential consumer with a certain amount of suspicion. At the very least the consumer should have the knowledge of the addition of any foreign non cannabis produced materials into any available products. Sketchy shit amigos...
 
N

noone88

726
63
Cold traps are nice. I went to a dab bar the other day and had a blast. The dabs tasted good. The tastes were certainly artificial. Sure geranium oil is natural but it is not a normal occurance in cannabis. When it's added to a cannabis extract it is an additive. Of course there are strains that naturally produce geraniol. Catch it in your cold trap and add it back to your extract. I like that version of an additive way better than just adding limonine and other foreign non indigenous terpenes to an extract. Yeah they taste good but like all artificial flavorings and additives should be viewed by the potential consumer with a certain amount of suspicion. At the very least the consumer should have the knowledge of the addition of any foreign non cannabis produced materials into any available products. Sketchy shit amigos...

Which dab bar? I'm curious and this may get me to leave my cave. I'm in SoCal.
 
Calixylon

Calixylon

815
143
This was how ciggarettes were ruined, something like 2.2 pounds of tobacco used to be in the aveage carton of ciggarettes, now the amount of tobacco is around 1. something. The rest is additives, whther thats reconstituted sheet tobacco thats made out of the dust from the manufacturing process, or other skecthy things like salt peter to help them burn even. Just shows what hppens when money hungry individuals who prefer to cut corners to achieve a suitable product that individuals who are to stupid or dont hve access to nything else are forced to buy.
 
GrowGod

GrowGod

BANNED!
Supporter
8,429
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This was how ciggarettes were ruined, something like 2.2 pounds of tobacco used to be in the aveage carton of ciggarettes, now the amount of tobacco is around 1. something. The rest is additives, whther thats reconstituted sheet tobacco thats made out of the dust from the manufacturing process, or other skecthy things like salt peter to help them burn even. Just shows what hppens when money hungry individuals who prefer to cut corners to achieve a suitable product that individuals who are to stupid or dont hve access to nything else are forced to buy.
Your weed will be the same soon if your not growing your own:)
 
Calixylon

Calixylon

815
143
Yup, even in medical states in the North East there looking at CO, CA,WA and are freaked the fuck out. They dont want the wild wild west coming to New England and having everyone nd their grndma toting their green cards and personal homegrows. They want like big facilities to produce product. Some shady commmercial Pure gold shit. Where they grow the highest THC strain possible with the highest PPMs they can push thru a hydro system, using sketchy shit. Then literally chucking all the plants into a giant shredder where its extrcted on a massive scale to make Pure Gold TM. Then they take their characterless THC compound and add there terpenes from everything except Cannabis terpenes.
 
P

progeny-prodigy

102
28
Cold traps are nice. I went to a dab bar the other day and had a blast. The dabs tasted good. The tastes were certainly artificial. Sure geranium oil is natural but it is not a normal occurance in cannabis. When it's added to a cannabis extract it is an additive. Of course there are strains that naturally produce geraniol. Catch it in your cold trap and add it back to your extract. I like that version of an additive way better than just adding limonine and other foreign non indigenous terpenes to an extract. Yeah they taste good but like all artificial flavorings and additives should be viewed by the potential consumer with a certain amount of suspicion. At the very least the consumer should have the knowledge of the addition of any foreign non cannabis produced materials into any available products. Sketchy shit amigos...
limonene is naturally occurring in cannabis and im much more worried about non terp flavorings
 
P

progeny-prodigy

102
28
This was how ciggarettes were ruined, something like 2.2 pounds of tobacco used to be in the aveage carton of ciggarettes, now the amount of tobacco is around 1. something. The rest is additives, whther thats reconstituted sheet tobacco thats made out of the dust from the manufacturing process, or other skecthy things like salt peter to help them burn even. Just shows what hppens when money hungry individuals who prefer to cut corners to achieve a suitable product that individuals who are to stupid or dont hve access to nything else are forced to buy.
tobacco companies actually exctract all the nicotine out of the plant then make paper out of it and spray the nicotine back on so that ever cig is identically dosed with nicatine
 

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