Looking to expand into the world of extracts?
You should really know budder.
A new era of legal recreational marijuana in Canada is already yielding some surprising—and not so surprising—data. Statistics Canada shows that folks along the East Coast like to smoke a lot of pot; the same stats demonstrate that British Columbia is holding steady when it comes to per person retail sales across the province.
However you slice it, the common theme amongst Canadian users appears to be a greater-than-average interest in weed consumption (as a nation, we ran out of stock on the first day of legalization). The cannabis production industry is booming; online and brick-and-mortar retailers are clamouring for digital and physical representation. And then there are the extractors.
Extracts are becoming more popular than ever. In order to meet the demand of a community of ravenous consumers, extraction labs and individual retailers continue to ramp up research and education in order to develop new, innovative methods of production. But it is one extract in particular that has proven to be a favourite, consistently delivering on its promise of purity and potency and garnering devoted fans from far and wide. But how well—and how much—do you know about budder?
There are many articles on budder currently floating around the web, however, without existing and extensive knowledge of green terminology, it is easy to become dazed and confused. So if this is your first rodeo and you want to get a sense of all of the various benefits of marijuana’s recreational and medicinal effects, it is important to know your options. And since cannabis use is now regulated on a federal level, there is an abundance of safe and unbiased information available to ensure that you know what you are using.
What is budder?
Budder is a potent form of cannabis concentrate. It is the result of a complex process that includes blasting chemical solvents (primarily butane, propane, or alcohol) through the marijuana flower buds in order to extract cannabinoids like CBD and THC. To safely experience this extracted compound, the harmful solvents held within the concentrate need to be purged by intense levels of heat and air pressure. During this process, the cannabinoids begin to crystallize, and the resulting sappy material is whipped into a batter-like substance. And then, voila!
When processed properly it looks just like peanut butter and possesses that same yellow, creamy consistency. The greater control exercised during the extraction stage, the lighter and fluffier the budder will be.
Where did budder come from?
In order to get a clearer sense of what budder is, you should also know, definitively, what it is not. On the expansive range of cannabis wax extracts, let’s imagine that budder sits contentedly between two other concentrates known as “Shatter” and “Crumble”. While the extraction process for all three is relatively similar, the finished products differ significantly. Shatter is golden in colour and characterized by a brittle, glass-like texture; Crumble has the driest consistency of all concentrates, as evident by its name—good crumble should be able to break into customizable sized bits of wax. Budder lies, texturally, in the middle.
The origins of budder vary depending on who you ask. The long-accepted creator and original marketer of budder is The BudderKing, a pioneering (Canadian) brand in the field of cannabinoid extraction that to this day maintains a steadfast devotion to purity and authenticity (“Don’t be fooled by imitations!”). The story behind the budder name is actually quite fascinating. In short, BudderKing’s founder, having created the substance in the mid-1990s and hoping to deter future copycats, attempted to trademark the word “butter”, as it was known in its original iterations. The Canadian Trademark office justifiably shot down the request. Until, of course, a family member suggested a slight copy change. Budder was born, and dispensaries across Canada began stocking the newly minted brand name extract.
How can budder get me high?
Extraction practices have evolved significantly since the debut of budder. Current methods have been adapted to not only produce the popular wax, but to ensure that the substance has a high content of THC—the principal psychoactive constituent that gives weed it’s euphoric and, oftentimes, hallucinogenic quality. A high concentration of THC means that users get more bang for their buck—and since budder production features such an exhaustive process, costs are considerably higher than other extracts.
Budder is typically referred to as the most potent and pure of all the various forms of cannabis concentrate. When using high-quality flowers, in addition to proper manufacturing equipment, the THC content in budder can range from 60 to 80 percent. For perspective, the typical dispensary pre-roll marijuana joint accounts for about 10 to 25 percent THC. With this in mind, many users find budder a more economical choice as less product is required for consumption in order to attain the desired effect. Alternatively, the opportunity for overindulging, indicated by rapid heartbeat, excessive dry mouth, and hallucinations, is greater.
How can I use budder?
Once you’ve scored some highly potent budder, it is very important to know how to use it. Chances are, if you are shopping at a reputable retailer, an associate will be able to provide you with step-by-step instructions. But just in case, here are the best practices for consuming this and many other types of concentrates:
Rolled, in a joint—this is perhaps the default method for most first-timers. Break apart your budder with a dabbing tool or another clean utensil. Sprinkle the waxy substance along the length of the joint, distributing evenly.
Vaping—adding your budder to a vaporizer is simple, convenient and portable. However, low-cost devices will likely not heat the extract to the recommended temperature, resulting in poor quality. Vaping any type of herb is (loosely) considered a healthier alternative to smoking in that you are eliminating the need for paper while boiling out the herb compounds rather than combusting it with fire.
Dabbing—vaporizing your budder on a heated surface. Concentrates were made to be dabbed, as the devices are built with greater consideration to heating than your average bong or handheld vaporizer.
In a bong—this process is virtually identical to that of smoking a bong with buds. Add your budder to the bowl, light and inhale.
It is important to note that improper storage of budder will speed up its already brief shelf life. For best results, the concentrate should be kept away from light in an air-tight silicone or glass container. Moisture, oxygen and warm temperatures will accelerate the degradation process and could alter the aroma, colour potency and TCH effects.
What does budder taste like?
As you know by now, budder is not simply kitchen butter infused with marijuana. Describing the taste of budder, or any other concentrate for that matter is complicated. In order to get an idea of what your taste buds can expect, you may require a brief trip back to high school science class.
Budder retains extremely high levels of terpenes which, in turn, help to make budder the most flavourful of all the cannabis concentrates. Terpenes are the aromatic metabolites found in the oils of all plants—there are approximately 20,000 terpenes in existence, and at least 100 that are produced by the Cannabis plant. In addition to providing various varieties (or strains) of plants with distinctive scents, terpenes also contain many individual naturopathic properties (anti-inflammatories, appetite suppressants, sedatives, etc.)
Pinene (pine)—the most common terpene of them all, it is also found in orange peels, basil, pine needles, and parsley.
Myrcene—the most common terpene in the Cannabis plant; it is also found in hops, thyme, lemongrass, and mangoes.
Limonene (citrus)—limonene smells…wait for it…like lemons, and oranges, limes, and grapefruits.
Caryophyllene—this spicy, peppery terpene features heavily in basils, cloves, cinnamon leaves, and black pepper.
Terpinolene—a smoky scent is a trademark here, residing in woodsy plants like sage and rosemary.
The aroma of your budder will depend primarily on the variety of plant you select. For example, if you opt for budder made from the Lemon Haze—a strain of plant that is high in limonene terpenes—this will result in a fresh, citrusy fragrance. For first timers, it is best to not set your taste expectations too high. Until a considerable palette has been developed, your concentrates are going to taste primarily like “weed”. Eventually, you will be able to get your head around the complexities of the strain. And, of course, provided the concentrate was prepared correctly, the nuances will gradually become recognizable and you are likely to develop a preferred flower—and terpene—for future experiences.
How safe is budder?
Devotees have been arguing the health benefits of marijuana for ages. In reality, inhaling any substance—foreign or natural—directly into the lungs is not going to garner support from many doctors or medical professionals.
For what it’s worth, BudderKing budder is rigorously tested for various plant abnormalities like molds, diseases, pesticides and toxins. They claim potency of 99.7 percent pure cannabinoids. If you are looking for an effective and near-instantaneous high, you really cannot go wrong. As always, practice everything in moderation. Know your limits and never ingest any cannabis-based compound prior to driving.
If you are considering an attempt at extracting your own budder—don’t. Butane and alcohol are volatile (and explosive) substances and should never be considered safe. Knowledge, experience and high-tech equipment are the minimum requirements for any alcohol extraction setup—and if you are reading this, you likely possess none of the above. Purchasing budder from a trusted vendor is the best option for any user.
There you have it. In the ever-expanding world of cannabis concentrates, budder is considerably better. While every cannabis user has their preferred extract, the proof remains in the pudding—budder offers a superior range of benefits. It’s highly potent, almost completely pure, and justifiably pricey. A quality recreational product standing at the front of a rapidly growing market.
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