What is Live Budder? Understanding this Unique Cannabis Concentrate
When it comes to cannabis concentrates, not many options can rock your world quite like the live budder.
And it’s easy to see why live budders are the darling of cannabis consumers: It has a very smooth, butter-like consistency; it’s the easiest to use with dab rigs, and just one glob will leave you stoned.
Also referred to as “badder,” the cannabis concentrate is known for its smooth, creamy texture and easy handling. It’s also known for its high level of potency.
But what exactly is the Live Budder, and how does it earn its stripes among the elites in the league of cannabis concentrates?
In this post, we’ll delve into the world of the budder, exploring its extraction techniques, composition, and unique characteristics.
Keep reading to learn more about this THC-heavy concentrate to spruce up your cannabis experience.
What is live budder?
This is a cannabis concentrate known for its high THC content and flavorful experience. Unlike concentrates that are products of dried and cured cannabis plants, live budders are made from fresh, flash-frozen cannabis plant materials.
This process helps to preserve the plant’s natural terpenes and cannabinoids, thereby surfacing its aroma and flavors.
Its smooth texture is gotten from a unique extraction process. For live budders to form, a live extraction process must occur where the plant material is frozen immediately upon harvest. This preserves its terpene profiles and cannabinoids.
But to really understand a live budder, we must differentiate it from a classic budders concentrates. Classic budders concentrates are known for their rather smooth texture and intense potency.
Live budders share these properties but take it up a notch: they capture the essence of the live cannabis plant for a truly aromatic and flavorful experience.
You may ask, what does the term “live” really mean? It is used to refer to the use of uncured and fresh cannabis plants in the process of extraction. This separates live budders from other concentrates that are known to lose a significant amount of their potency and flavor in the drying and curing stage.
How is live budder made?
As we’ve mentioned earlier, the production of live budder involves a solvent-based extraction process. But let’s uncover the science behind these awesome concentrates.
Flash-freezing the cannabis
We can see how important it is to flash-freeze the cannabis by understanding Terpenes and Cannabinoids. Terpenes are aromatic compounds known for their aroma and rich flavor profile. Cannabinoids, on the other hand, are chemical compounds responsible for the various effects of Cannabis.
The live budder preserves terpenes in their freshest form, which is responsible for the sensory explosion that is felt with every dab or inhale.
Solvent extraction
In the solvent extraction stage, the solvent, usually CO2 or butane, is put in a high-pressure tank where it is allowed to transform from liquid to gas form. Here, the liquid solvent washes over the raw cannabis plant material in a specialized machine.
Solvent collection
In this stage, the solvent extracts the cannabinoids (like THC) and terpenes from the plant material. It is then collected into another chamber.
Purging Solvent Residue
The purging process separates the live budder from any other cannabis concentrate. Here, the solution (gotten in the solvent collection stage) then undergoes purging using heat and air pressure to remove any residual solvents.
Whipping Process
This part is responsible for its creamy texture. Here, the concentrate gets whipped or agitated after or during the purging. The air that goes into the product creates its butter-like consistency.
What Makes Live Budder Unique?
As you will soon find out, several factors separate live budder from other weed concentrates:
Smooth Texture:
As we’ve mentioned earlier, the live budder comes with a creamy consistency, which is unlike the more brittle or crumbly wax. This makes it easy to handle and better enjoyed when consuming, whether you’re dabbing it or adding it to your favorite edible recipe.
Rich Terpene Profile
Live budder boasts a rich flavor palette due to the terpene profile of the strain. The use of fresh plants in live budder ensures that more all the terpenes that are retained during extraction, which results in bold flavors and aromas.
High Potency
If the Live budder is known to have anything in abundance, it’s the THC content, especially when compared to many other popular concentrates. Its THC content is estimated to be roughly 80%-90%, which makes it an all-time favorite for cannabis enthusiasts who seek a strong hit.
True-to-Strain Experience
Due to the preservation of its terpenes and cannabinoids, live budder is known to offer a more authentic experience of the strain’s natural flavor profile.
Live Budder vs Other Concentrates
Compared to other cannabis concentrates like shatter and crumble, the live budder stands out from other cannabis concentrates due to its soft, creamy texture — which is almost like frosting.
And the secret behind this is how it’s made. Unlike shatter or crumble, which use dried cannabis plants, live budder starts with freshly harvested plants that are immediately frozen, locking in the plant’s natural chemicals such as terpenes. You can think of it as biting into a ripe fruit versus biting into a dried one — the difference in flavor is similar to what we’re talking about here.
In terms of strength. Live budder packs more THC than shatter or crumble. Shatter, for instance, is usually harder and more glass-like because it is made from heated cannabis extract that turns into a solid, shiny sheet.
But while shatter packs a decent punch, the high heat used to make it can break down some of these tasty terpenes, thereby leaving it less flavorful.
On the other hand, crumble has a dry, crumbly texture, which can be likened to feta cheese. It’s much easier to handle than shatter since you can pinch it without it sticking to everything. Still, it does not have the same terpene ‘punch’ as live budder.
Cannabis users prefer live budder because it pulls double duty: both as a cannabis concentrate with strong effect and bold flavours. But if you want something stable and easy to break into precise doses, crumble works well.
Granted, all of these concentrates will get you high. However, Live Budder’s focus on freshness and flavor makes it a better alternative for users who are looking for the full experience. It’s like choosing between a fancy, handcrafted dessert and a basic chocolate bar — both of these options will satisfy your sweet tooth cravings, but one feels more special than the other.
Consumption Methods for Live Budder
As a cannabis concentrate, live budder can be consumed in several ways:
Dabbing
Dab rigs are one of the more popular methods cannabis enthusiasts use in enjoying live budder. The method involves heating the concentrate on a nail or banger before being inhaled.
The creamy texture of live budder makes it more suitable for dabbing, which allows for the texture to melt smoothly and release those rich flavours without delay.
Vaping
Some cannabis users looking for a more discrete mode of consumption may prefer to vape. This method requires the use of vape pens or vaporizers. Here, the vape pen or vaporizer heats the concentrate to a level that spills the cannabinoids and terpenes without having to burn through the material.
Most vaper loves to smoke budder wax due to its smooth consistency. However, live budder adds a layer of complexity and flavor to the experience.
Certain vaporizers are compatible with concentrates like live budder, which offers a more convenient option, especially for on-the-go use.
Adding to Joints or Bowls
Cannabis Users can also enjoy live budder by adding it to bowls or joints — for an extra punch of potency.
Simply sprinkle a small amount of budder over the flower in a bowl to enhance its potency and add flavor. However, you must make sure to light it gently, so you don’t burn the concentrate too quickly and too allow for an even vaporization.
Live Resin vs Live Budder
Remember, live resin and live budder are made from the same fresh cannabis plants, which are frozen immediately after harvesting to lock in their potency and flavour. But their end product, especially texture, sets them apart.
Live resin keeps a gooey, sticky texture, like thick honey or syrup, between it skips the whipping step. The gentle method of processing with solvents like butane or CO2 will preserve the natural compound but leave it thick and a little tricky to handle. You may need a dab tool to scoop it, and it can get stuck to your fingers.
Conversely, live budder comes with a creamy, soft texture from being stirred or whipped during its production. After the initial extraction (similar to live resin), air is whipped into the mixture while heat is applied. The resulting agitation breaks down the crystals while trapping tiny air bubbles that make it fluffier and easier to spread or scoop.
Ultimately, your choice depends on your personal preferences on how you want to consume and handle it.
Answering FAQs About Live Budder
What is live budder?
It’s a type of cannabis concentrate commonly known for its soft, creamy texture (which looks like cake batter). Unlike regular budder, it is called the “live budder” because of its production process which prioritizes keeping the plant’s profile fresh and vibrant.
How is it made?
Live budder is made through solvent-based extraction process where solvents such as butane or CO₂ strip cannabinoids and terpenes from the plant.
When this happens, the mixture is then purged using vacuum chambers or heat to remove all the leftover solvents. In this way, it is safe to use. The final process involves it being whipped vigoriously, like mixing butter, to create the fluffy, smooth texture we all associate it with.
What makes it unique?
Three things: its rich flavor, high potency, and smooth texture. Since freezing preserves more terpenes, it smells and tastes stronger than other concentrates. The whipping process adds a texture that’s not only easy to handle but melts evenly when heated.
How do I consume it?
When it comes to consumption, there are many methods. You can enjoy your live budder by dabbing it with a hot rig, sprinkling a small amount into a bowl or joint to boost its effects, or vaping it using a vaporizer or vapor pen. Since it’s very potent, we recommend that cannabis users start with little doses and work their way up.
