The quality of the hash depends on all these manufacturing stages, including curing and refining. These two phases are a veritable art of maturation, revealing the full aromatic richness of the resin. Precisely mastered, hash curing and refining are methods that transform a raw product into an exceptional hash.
Principles and types of hash curing
Curing is a key stage in the preparation of hash. It's a maturing phase that stabilizes the product's aromas and moisture content. After extraction, hash still contains traces of moisture and volatile terpenes, so curing is necessary.
You can recognize a well-curated, quality hash by its fragrance, even texture and slow burn. These are the signs of a well-prepared resin.
Curing harmonizes the flavors and effects of the resin, resulting in a perfectly balanced product. There are three different curing techniques , depending on storage conditions and the desired result:
- Cold curing or Ice-o-Lator is carried out at low or even negative temperatures. It fixes the volatile terpenes and produces a hash with fresh aromas and subtle notes. Cold curing requires preparation time and perfect temperature control.
- Dry or room temperature curing is a faster technique. It favors more pronounced aromas, reminiscent of spices or leather, typical of traditional resins.
- Vacuum curing or Rosin is a modern method of isolating the hash from the air to limit oxidation and preserve all the aromas. Ideal for prolonged storage, vacuum curing freezes the terpenes.
The art of maturing to enhance hash flavours
To better understand the difference between curing and maturing, we can compare them to cheese-making.
Curing corresponds to the phase when young cheese dries out and loses its excess moisture before developing its character.
As for maturing, this is a longer, more subtle period to sublimate the aromas and complexity of the taste. So this stage is akin to slow maturation in a cellar. And just like cheese, hash matures with time and the right conditions of temperature and humidity.
The refining technique produces a high-quality resin during which the cannabinoids and terpenes evolve. Aromas deepen, texture changes and each batch develops its own unique signature.
Just as a master cheesemaker watches over his wheels with precision, the hashmaker refines his resin with patience and skill, to extract its aromas. Refined hash offers a rich, balanced aromatic experience.
The hashmakers' secrets for making good hash
Behind each exceptional hash lies meticulous expertise. The most demanding hashmakers know that it all starts with a rigorous selection of flowers, which must be rich in trichomes, hemp grown and harvested at the precise moment when terpenes are at their peak.
Their secret then lies in the delicacy of the extraction process, which must preserve the integrity of the resin glands, which are veritable reservoirs of aroma and power. Whether by dry sieving, ice water extraction or hot pressing, each technique requires special attention.
A hashmaker's talent is best expressed in the curing and refining stages, when the hash is transformed and enriched. This skill requires time, patience and observation.
Hashmakers seek to reveal a unique aromatic profile, a perfect texture and a slow burn. Making hash is an artisanal technique that has been passed down for many years.
You'll find quality hash in our boutique, based on traditional know-how and a passion for resin.