Read Time: 5 minutes
Blog Style: Long form / Scannable
You Will: Know the differences between CBD concentrates available on the UK market.
Whether you're new to CBD or have been supplementing the miracle molecule regularly, you are bound to have asked yourself at some stage - "What are CBD concentrates?" When shopping around for CBD consumers can become familiar with terms such as 'CBD Shatter', 'CBD Terpsolate', 'CBD Crumble', 'CBD Wax' and 'CBD Distillate'. However, CBD Concentrates are not limited to these adjectives that describe the make up and appearances of the individual products. .
On the surface, CBD concentrates can be overwhelming and confusing. This can deter newbies from jumping onboard! It would be fair to say that despite the ever growing 6 million UK CBD consumers, a lot more of the population could find enrichment in CBD. A small bit of information can go a long way. That being said, let's now clarify exactly what are CBD concentrates and highlight some key differences between them.
As with all good things in life, CBD concentrates are exactly what they say they are. They are consumables made from highly purified cannabis extracts that are highly populated with cannabinoids. Some common names you'll find used to describe different types of CBD concentrates are;
- CBD Isolate
- CBD Shatter
- CBD Terpsolate
- CBD Distillate
- CBD Crumble
- CBD Wax
UK CBD concentrates are derived from EU strains of industrial hemp. They're rich in cannabinoids, terpenes, vitamins and fatty acids. Typically, CBD 'concentrates' would have a higher purity than the mainstream 'CBD products' such as hemp seed oils, gummies and capsules. Concentrates like those listed above would usually range from 45%-99% purity. Considering this though I wouldn't let the potential strength of these products deter beginners. It is relatively simple to tailor the concentrates to your own required dosage. Most users only need a rice grain size piece of extract to achieve the desired effects. The descriptive name for each extract is usually given due to the characteristics of the concentration i.e How it appears - it's texture and colour. Now see below to distinguish between the names given to different forms of CBD concentrate.
-
CBD Isolate - This is the most purified form of cannabidiol and contains no other cannabinoids, vitamins or terpenes. Cannabidiol Isolate is typically 99% pure and usually found in a fine white powder or crystal form. Due to it's purity it doesn't carry any colour, taste or odor.
-
CBD Terpsolate - This is pretty much exactly the same as CBD Isolate. However the difference here is that the 'isolate' powder has been infused with 'terpenes'. Therefore creating a terpene infused isolate powder. Terpenes + Isolate = Terpsolate!
-
CBD Shatter - On the UK market, CBD shatter can come in different shapes and sizes. It can be thin brittle pieces of white isolate slabs or even a thicker honey comb like piece of isolate. At Graded Green, our CBD Isolate shatter is made from CBD Isolate which is infused with cannabis strain terpenes and manipulated in such a way that it dries in brittle, glass like shards that are delicate and can easily 'shatter' like glass.
-
CBD Distillate - CBD Distillate can be a golden honey-like thick oil OR it can be a dark yellow / orange crystalline substance. Where a CBD Distillate has a purity of 85% or more it will crystallize on it's own at room temperature. This can be returned to an oil like substance upon applying some heat, usually 65 degrees celcius+ will begin returning it to an oil. A CBD Distillate less than 85% pure won't crystallize. Crystallization is a good indication of a quality product.
- CBD Crumble - At Graded Green we craft our CBD crumble using potent CBD Distillate crystals and cannabis strain terpenes. Crumble is a broad spectrum concentrate that is a wax like texture and can be yellow to deep orange. It won't be brittle and snap like our CBD shatter, but will break up nicely similar to a soft hash.
If you desire a 99% pure CBD concentrate that is ONLY the cannabinoid known as Cannabidiol then you will want an Isolated concentrate. Your choices here will be CBD Isolate, CBD Terpsolate and CBD Shatter. CBD isolate will be nothing but CBD. Terpsolate and Shatter will be CBD Isolate with added botanical terpenes to enhance its smell, taste and effects.
To those preferring a broader spectrum of cannabinoids then you should look for a non isolate concentrate such as CBD Distillate or CBD Crumble. These products will typically be around 80-85% pure. Not only will they contain CBD, but they will have an abundance of other naturally occurring phytochemicals such as CBG, CBC, terpenes and flavonoids.
For a good starting point into the world of concentrates it's important that you understand what your intentions are when it comes to consumption. This will help you determine your dosage and help in optimizing your consumption and time. You would be forgiven for thinking a 99% pure CBD Isolate product would be stronger than an 80% pure broad spectrum product. However you may be surprised to find that the broad spectrum, with it's lower purity of CBD would in fact promote stronger and more noticeable effects. This is because with 99% pure CBD isolate products you are only consuming one single cannabinoid, CBD. However with a broad or full spectrum concentrate, although it is less pure it has a wider variety of cannabinoids and terpenes.
Consuming a cocktail of cannabinoids and terpenes together in this way can bring on what is known as the 'entourage effect'. Cannabinoids and terpenes are thought to work together in synergy to have an enhanced sensation.
Now that you have established the distinctive differences between some concentrates, the next step for continuing to develop your knowledge is to put the theory into practice. You can read all the information in the world regarding CBD concentrates but you will gain a much better understanding once you begin to use them. At Graded Green we make CBD concentrates easy. It doesn't have to be an expensive journey to start either. We boast a plethora of high quality concentrates that tick all the boxes for competitive prices. Our materials are sourced from a trust supply list of license hemp cultivators from the United States and Europe. The raw materials are then formulated into our concentrates in-house by our experienced staff. We don't import finished CBD concentrates from 3rd party companies - we craft them ourselves in an artisan fashion. Not only is it our passion but this gives us full control over the creation process so we are 100% sure our finished product is value for our consumers!
We would love to help you get started on your CBD concentrates journey. If you have any further questions after reading our blog please don't hesitate to reach out via email or live chat and we will be more than happy to assist you.
Enjoy this read? Check out our 'How to use CBD concentrates' blog here.
Author Shaun Lehane
Leave a comment
This site is protected by hCaptcha and the hCaptcha Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.