If you’ve purchased any THCa flower lately, you may have noticed that sometimes it just doesn’t hit the mark when it comes to smell or flavor.
Understandably so, it can be frustrating when you invest in quality flower only to find out it doesn’t have the bag appeal you would expect. Unfortunately, this is somewhat a common occurrence due to how THCa flower must be processed to minimize decarboxylation.
The good news, however, is that we’re going to let you in on a little trick that will make the bag appeal spring back to life. Get ready to clear out some rooms, because in this guide, we’re going to show you how to take matters into your own hands and cure your THCa flower (or regular cannabis) like a pro.
By following our step-by-step process, you’ll be able to unleash the full potential of your flower and enjoy the taste, aroma, and effects as they were meant to be. So, let’s get curing!
Curing: The Chef’s Kiss of Cannabis
So, what exactly is curing?
In a nutshell, it’s the controlled process of drying and aging your cannabis flower after it’s been harvested in order to curate a finer scent and taste profile.
Think of it like a fine wine – the longer it sits in the cellar, the more complex and flavorful it becomes. Same goes for your herb.
When you properly cure your THCa flower, you’re allowing it to dry out slowly and evenly, which helps to develop the flavor, aroma, and potency even after receiving it.
The Importance of Curing Your Flower
Be honest here; have you gotten a bag of bud with a kind of “green” and grassy aroma or taste?
If so, chances are because it hasn’t been given the chance to fully develop its terpenes and flavonoids.
This is where curing comes into play.
By taking matters into your own hands and letting your flower cure for a few weeks or even months, you’ll actually start to notice a more complex and nuanced aroma – maybe some hints of citrus or pine, or a subtle earthiness. And the flavor? Let’s just say those cookies strains earn their name when they’re cured properly.
However, curing isn’t just about the taste and smell; properly curing your cannabis flower can also enhance its potency.
When you let it dry out slowly and evenly, you’re allowing the cannabinoids to develop fully, which can result in more potent effects.
Plus, a well-cured flower is going to be smoother and more enjoyable to smoke or vape, which means you’ll be able to savor every hit without coughing up a lung.
The Achilles of THCa Flower
It’s important to note that while curing is an essential part of cannabis cultivation, it’s often underwhelming when it comes to THCa flower.
This is largely due to the fact that curing THCa flower encompasses the risk of slow decarboxylation. As mentioned previously, this can lead to changes in the cannabinoid profile, that, while unlikely, can cause the batch to test hot.
Cured vs Uncured Flower
Alright, so now that you understand the importance of a cure when it comes to flower, how can you tell if your recent re-up needs a little TLC?
Here are a few ways to tell if your flower is cured or not:
Check the moisture level
A properly cured cannabis flower should be dry to the touch, but not too dry or brittle. If your flower is still moist or sticky, it probably hasn’t been cured properly.
Look for color changes
When cannabis flower is properly cured, it should be a rich, vibrant green color. If it’s yellow or brown, that could be a sign that it wasn’t cured properly.
Smell it
This one might seem obvious, but it’s worth mentioning – a properly cured cannabis flower should have a strong, pungent aroma that’s unique to the strain. If it smells like hay or grass, it probably hasn’t been cured properly.
Break it apart
When you break apart a properly cured cannabis flower, it should be easy to do so without any excess moisture or stickiness. If it’s difficult to break apart, that could be a sign that it hasn’t been cured properly.
Burn it
Finally, if you’re still not sure if your cannabis flower has been properly cured, try burning a small amount and paying attention to the smoke. If it’s harsh that could be a sign that it wasn’t cured properly. A properly cured flower should produce smooth smoke that’s easy to inhale.
How to Cure THCa Flower
If you followed the above tests and have come to the conclusion that your flower does need to cure a bit, we’ve got you covered.
Thankfully, curing is a super simple process. All you need to do is store your herb in an airtight container, like a mason jar, and let it sit in a cool, dark place for a few weeks or even months.
You’ll want to “burp” the jar every day or so to let any excess moisture escape, and make sure to check the humidity levels to ensure that your herb isn’t too dry or too moist.
It might take some patience, but trust me – it’s worth it. Here’s a breakdown of what you’ll need to do to whenever it’s time to cure your bud.
Step One: Moisture
When you’re getting ready to start a cure, you want to make sure your flower isn’t too dry or too moist. A good way to check is to squeeze a bud gently – if it’s too dry, it will crumble, and if it’s too moist, it will kind of just squish and stay squished.
You want it to be just right, which means it will spring back slightly when you give it a gentle squeeze.
Step Two: Storage
To cure your cannabis flower, you need to store it in a cool, dark, and dry place. You can use a mason jar, an airtight container, or a cannabis storage container specifically designed for storing cannabis flower. Make sure to keep it away from light and heat, as this can degrade the quality of your herb.
Step Three: Burping
Burping your cannabis flower means opening the container to let any excess moisture escape. This allows the flower to dry out slowly and evenly, which is important for developing its flavor and aroma. You should burp your cannabis flower at least once a day for the first week, and then gradually decrease the frequency over the next few weeks.
Step Four: Humidity (Optional)
To ensure that your cannabis flower is curing properly, you need to monitor the humidity levels inside the container. You can use a hygrometer to measure the humidity, and ideally, you want it to be around 60-65% humidity. If it’s too high, you can leave the lid off for a while to let some moisture escape. If it’s too low, you can add a humidity pack to the container to help maintain the proper moisture level.
Step Five: Wait patiently and enjoy the process
Curing cannabis flower takes time, and you should be patient and allow the process to work its magic. Depending on the moisture content and other factors, it can take anywhere from a few weeks to a few months to properly cure your cannabis flower. But the wait is worth it, as the end result will be a potent, flavorful, and aromatic cannabis flower that is perfect for smoking, vaping, or cooking.
The Perfect Buds
So there you have it, the ultimate guide to curing your flower. Whether you’re a seasoned smoker or a newbie, taking the time to properly cure your herb can make all the difference in the world when it comes to taste, aroma, potency, and overall enjoyment. So go forth and let your bud age like a fine wine – your taste buds (and your high) will thank you for it!