Cannabis concentrates and extracts: everything you need to know

Cannabis concentrates and extracts: What are crumble, budder, badder and shatter?

What are cannabis concentrates?

Cannabis concentrates and extracts (also known as dabs) are concentrated cannabis products created through various methods of extracting active compounds – primarily cannabinoids and terpenes – from the cannabis plant.

Compared to traditional flowers, they’re a bit like beasts 🐅 – even in smaller quantities, they contain a higher concentration of active compounds, greater potency, and a more intense aroma and flavour. This is why they’re particularly popular among more experienced users seeking a stronger and often purer experience.

👉 Tip: How can active compounds be extracted from cannabis? Read the article Guide to the most commonly used extraction methods.

The most well-known types of concentrates

At Konopná Zoo, you’ll find several types of concentrates and extracts. Among the best-known are crumble, shatter and budder . Each has a different texture, is handled differently and has a slightly different effect.

You’ll most often come across CBD extracts and concentrates – such as CBD ckrumble, CBD shatter, CBD budder and others.

And because these aren’t exactly tame little creatures 🐨, but rather wild beasts 🐯, concentrates are generally best suited to those who already know their way around our cannabis enclosure.

What is crumble? As crumbly as birdseed 🐦

Crumble is a cannabis extract with a drier, crumbly consistency that may resemble dry wax or crumbs.

It is precisely this texture that makes it a favourite in our range 🐒 – it’s easy to work with, simple to dose, and you can easily break it down into smaller amounts as needed, just like seeds in a bird feeder 🐦.

Koala, lizard, bird and crumble, CannabiZoo logo bottom right

Most commonly, you’ll come across CBD crumble, i.e. a hemp extract with a high CBD content (often around 80 to 90%), which, in addition to CBD itself, also contains other cannabinoids and terpenes.

What is shatter? As fragile as butterfly wings 🦋

Shatter is a cannabis extract most commonly obtained from dried cannabis trimmings and sometimes from whole buds. It has a glassy to crystalline structure and resembles glass to the eye.

It is as fragile as a butterfly’s wings 🦋 and, thanks to its structure, breaks easily into smaller pieces. And that is precisely why it is called shatter, meaning ‘shattered’.

A hare and a panda sitting at a table with some shatter, a butterfly above, and the CannabiZoo logo bottom right

You’ll most often come across CBD shatter, which has a high CBD content (usually 70% or more). Some varieties may also produce a ‘snap and pull’ effect, i.e. a cracking sound followed by a pulling sensation.

What is budder? Soft as a lamb 🐑

Budder is a cannabis concentrate known for its soft consistency, reminiscent of a sheep’s fleece 🐑, but also for its creamy, whipped texture, similar to butter or cake icing.

Raccoon, koala, sheep, chameleon, bee and budder; CannabiZoo logo bottom right

CBD budder is an extract with a higher CBD content. You may also come across a variant called CBD budder live resin, which is produced using a method that preserves the maximum amount of cannabinoids and terpenes. 

What is the difference between budder and badder?

Both budder and badder refer to cannabis concentrates with a soft, whipped consistency, yet they differ slightly from one another.

Whilst budder is usually softer and creamier, badder tends to be denser and its texture can resemble a sticky sauce, icing or soft wax.

Other types of concentrates from our cannabis range

In our cannabis pavilion, you’ll find not only crumble, shatter and budder, but also other cannabis concentrates, or dabs, each with a slightly different texture and properties. These include:

  • Ice-o-lator – a cannabis extract that loves ice just as much as a penguin 🐧. It is produced using ice 🧊, water 💧 and a sieve 🧫. It is also known as bubble hash and, thanks to a special production method, retains a high proportion of cannabinoids and terpenes.

  • Terpsolate – a cannabis concentrate created by combining isolate and terpenes. CBD terpsolate is produced by adding terpenes to CBD isolate, which is one of the purest forms of cannabidiol (CBD). It usually contains up to 99% CBD.

  • Crystals – one of the purest forms of cannabis extracts, which takes the form of crystals as white as a polar bear’s fur 🐻‍❄️. CBD crystals, or CBD isolate, are the purest form of cannabidiol (CBD). They are produced by removing all plant compounds other than CBD.

A bear and a penguin by a tree stump with concentrates; the CannabiZoo logo is at the bottom right

  • Wax – a thick hemp extract with a buttery to waxy consistency. CBD wax has a higher CBD content, often 60% or more.

  • Extract/paste – a thick cannabis extract with the consistency of thick syrup, cream or honey 🐻. CBD paste with a high CBD content is often supplemented with other cannabinoids (CBG, CBN…) and terpenes.

  • Live resin – also known as fresh resin, is a cannabis concentrate produced from freshly harvested and rapidly frozen cannabis. It retains a high proportion of terpenes and other natural compounds, so it tends to be distinctive in both taste and aroma 🦨.

How to use concentrates and extracts?

Cannabis concentrates and extracts can be used in several ways. It depends primarily on the specific type, but also on which method suits you best.

Some are better suited to vaping, others to dabbing, some are suitable for both, and some can be used with flowers.

Raccoon, koala, fox and sheep using concentrates: vaping, dabbing, smoking; CannabiZoo logo bottom right

For example, CBD crumble and shatter are excellent choices for both vaping and dabbing.

1. Vaporisation

One of the most popular ways to use concentrates is through vaporisation. At CannabiZoo, you’ll find concentrates designed specifically for vaping.

For vaporisation, you can use an electronic vaporiser, which typically operates at lower temperatures than dabs and e-rigs, meaning that some cannabinoids and terpenes – which might otherwise be lost at higher temperatures – are better preserved 🐎.

2. Dabbing

Another popular method is dabbing, which involves heating a small amount of concentrate in a specific device such as a dab rig or e-rig, and then inhaling the resulting vapour.

This method is typically favoured by more experienced visitors to our zoo, as concentrates tend to be significantly stronger when dabbed 🐯.

3. Smoking

Concentrates can also be used in combination with cannabis flowers. Crumble, for example, can easily be crushed and added to a joint or pipe thanks to its fine texture.

4. Further processing

Concentrates can also be dissolved in a carrier oil to make homemade tinctures, balms and creams, or various edibles 🍫.

Stall selling cannabis extracts and concentrates

You’ll find all the cannabis concentrates and extracts mentioned above at CannabiZoo; most commonly, you’ll find those with a higher cannabidiol (CBD) content.

Animals looking at hemp concentrates and extracts, CannabiZoo logo bottom right

Here is an overview of our most popular products:

Conclusion: Every cannabis extract is unique

Just like every animal species 🐅, every cannabis concentrate is unique. Each type has its own specific properties, a different consistency and its own ‘character’.

While budder captivates with its softness 🐑, shatter with its fragility 🦋 and crumble with its crumbly texture 🐦, they all share intensity, a distinctive aroma and a specific method of use.

Once you know what to expect from each cannabis extract, you won’t get lost in this selection.

FAQ

1. What is the difference between shatter, budder and crumble?

Shatter, budder and crumble are all cannabis concentrates and extracts, but they differ in their texture.

Shatter is hard, brittle and resembles glass 🪟; budder has a soft, creamy and fluffy texture; crumble, on the other hand, is drier, crumbly and easily breaks into smaller pieces.

2. Are concentrates stronger than flowers?

Yes, cannabis concentrates are generally significantly stronger than flowers 🌸 . This is because they contain a higher proportion of concentrated active compounds in a smaller volume.

Even a small amount of concentrate can therefore produce an intense effect, with a pronounced taste and aroma. This is precisely why concentrates are particularly popular among more experienced users.

3. How is shatter made?

Shatter is produced by extracting active compounds from cannabis, a process in which cannabinoids, terpenes and other desirable compounds are separated from the plant material. The extract is then purified and further processed to achieve its characteristic glass-like and brittle structure 🪟.

In practice, the raw extract is often spread out onto trays in a thin layer and then left to be vacuum-cleaned for several dozen hours, usually around 36 to 72 hours. During this process, bubbles 🫧 appear on the surface, signalling that impurities are being removed from the extract. For the most effective result, the material may be turned several times during the process to ensure the purification is as even as possible.

4. Live resin vs. shatter

Live resin and shatter are two distinct terms. Shatter refers to a cannabis concentrate with a brittle, glass-like structure, whilst live resin is a production method that uses freshly harvested and rapidly frozen cannabis to best preserve the plant’s natural aroma.

5. Live resin vs. live rosin

At first glance, these names might seem almost identical, but they differ in their production methods. Both concentrates are obtained from freshly harvested and rapidly frozen cannabis, which allows them to retain a high terpene content and a distinctive aroma.

Live resin, however, is produced by extraction using solvents. With live rosin, no solvents are needed for extraction – it is obtained using pressure and heat.

  

Author: Lucie Schmidtová

 
 

Photo: AI

"All information provided on this website, as well as information provided through this website, is for educational purposes only. None of the information contained herein is intended to be a substitute for a medical diagnosis and should not be considered medical advice or recommended treatment. This website does not endorse, condones or advocate the licit or illicit use of narcotic drugs or psychotropic substances or the commission of any other illegal activity. For more information, please see our Disclaimer."

Recommended products20

Next
%s ...
%s
%image %title %code %s
Trustpilot