Determining Quality Cannabis from its ashes
The world of cannabis consumption has changed drastically in the last few decades. Despite the growth of edibles, smoking is still the most preferred method of consuming cannabis. Many of today's consumers have access to regulated dispensaries with high-quality cannabis products that are safe and effective. However, you can also learn to read your cannabis ash to determine the quality of your product.
In this article, we'll give you enough knowledge to inspect your smoldering joint. We're going to cover the different colors that are produced when marijuana ash is vaporized, and what quality cannabis looks like.
Quality of Cannabis Ashes- one Indicator
The quality of cannabis ash can indicate a good or bad quality of cannabis. If you're a regular cannabis consumer, chances are you've noticed some of the smoke like smoking a bowl or joint feels harsh on your throat, maybe even a little dry and scratchy. You should check all kinds of things like color, bud density, aroma, trichome coverage, or one of the most popular factors, the amount of THC you're testing.
Characteristics of high-quality cannabis
Heavy trichome coverage
Strong aroma
Wide Cannabinoid Profile
White soft ash
Symptoms of poor-quality cannabis
Little or no visible trichomes
No odor or smell
Lack of cannabinoid profile
Black, chunky ash
Residual contaminants may be the result of poor treatment during the growing process rather than the hemp itself. Let's take a look at two factors that can affect the cleanliness of hemp - flushing and curing.
Flushing
However, this is a little expensive to do so flushing is mainly done to enhance the flavor of the cannabis plant. This can contribute to dark or black-colored ash if the cannabis is not burned properly. Not all growers shred their cannabis, but professional growers know that it is an important process in growing quality cannabis. Flushing is done when the plant is nearing the culmination of the growing process.
Therefore, in this process, the plants are given clean water only in the last week. When growers use hydroponic systems the water is usually mixed with other things such as nutrient concentrates, or salts that affect the pH of the soil. When minerals build up, it can leach nutrients. Signs of nutrient burn are yellow or curled leaves, although chemicals and nutrients can also build up in small amounts that aren't apparent until you get the first puff of the weed.
Curing
People believe that curing affects the ash, however, cultivators believe that curing plays a significant role in the overall smoothness and flavor, and also affects the quality of your smoke. This process is done not only in cannabis but also in food.
This process means that plant matter is prepared to be stored for long periods of time. Cannabis plants are cured by drying or hanging them outside for 2 weeks. Once growers see that most of the moisture has disappeared, the cannabis buds are kept in an air-tight container for approximately 6 weeks. Any gas can escape during the gap. This will allow the bacteria to get rid of any residual compounds that may affect the final flavor.
Cannabis Ash color
The color and texture of your cannabis ash can help you determine its quality. A light brown or almost white ash is a sign of clean cannabis, while a dark brown or black ash indicates that the cannabis you consumed also contained unwanted compounds or minerals.
Along with unwanted sugars and minerals left over from inefficient curing, you will experience throat irritation and so the color of your cannabis ash should not be the sole determinant if you enjoy smoking weed.
Other Aspects like Aroma and Texture
Besides the color of the ash, there are other things you can look for when smoking cannabis. The texture of good quality and clean hemp is delicate and light. If the ash is hard and grainy, it may contain long-lasting pesticides or fertilizers. You can also gently pat the burnt joint to feel its texture.
If cannabis shows any signs of mold, discard it immediately, and don't even think about cutting it after smoking it. Avoid consuming brown or yellow cannabis from above. If the ash separates easily, your cannabis is pure, but if it becomes flaky and separates, it may contain unsafe residue. Cannabis always has a very distinctive smell which you will be able to better identify while consuming it.
What do you want to see in Cannabis Ash?
White color
Even continuous ash everywhere
Soft, powdery feel when broken
What You Don't Want to See in Cannabis Ash
Black ash
Ash that does not appear to be completely burnt
Ash that is gritty or coarse when crushed
Conclusion
Lastly, smoking cannabis is a common practice. To avoid adverse side effects, it is essential to ensure that the cannabis is of high quality and clean. Although knowing about your cannabis ashes is a simple at-home method and should be combined with thorough research on brands and vendors to ensure that your health is safe.
Learning the many ways to identify the best quality cannabis is a great way to get to know the plant better. This especially helps if you want to eventually learn how to grow your own cannabis.