What began as an offbeat alternative medicine market a few years ago has exploded in popularity on to the main scene. Surely by now, you have heard of CBD from a friend or in the media. It has many high claims and supposed benefits with some believing it to be a miracle drug. Despite the lack of significant medical studies to prove the benefits, we are constantly reminded of anecdotal stories about the anxiety and pain relief associated with CBD. Even many medical professionals have jumped on the bandwagon and have begun to tout the effects of CBD on the body. CBD commands a multi-billion-dollar industry now and has become one of the hottest health supplements in modern times. In fact, many traditional marijuana growers have switched gears and are now producing CBD flowers in higher quantities to appeal to a larger market. technology shout
What is CBD Flower?
CBD flower is the buds produced from hemp. Hemp is the cousin of marijuana and both come from the cannabis sativa plant. Whereas marijuana is high in THC, the cannabinoid that causes the feeling of being “high,” hemp is very low in THC (less than 0.3%) and very high in CBD. Many years ago hemp was very different from marijuana but with modern growing practices and a market shifting more towards CBD, growers have applied their knowledge to growing better tasting and better looking CBD flower. It has begun to rival the more traditional market with more strains available with a multitude of companies that sell it nationwide and is set to become even larger in the next few years. advertisement shout
How to Discern Excellent Flower from the Not So Good
As with anything new to the market today, especially when so many companies are vying for a piece of the pie you can expect a range of qualities and prices to be available. Many factors go into creating an excellent CBD flower. How it is trimmed, how it is cured, the strain, where it was grown, and whether it was indoors or outdoors. This can be a lot to take in but with this simple guide, we can help you to be sure you are getting the best CBD flower that money can buy!
Trimming
First off we may want to investigate how the CBD flower was trimmed. Hand trimming is the best as it removes all the leafy material from the buds themselves. Although hand-trimmed CBD flower will command a higher price it is much smoother than machine trimmed bud which often leaves behind a harsh taste due to some leafy material left behind. When looking for quality CBD flower it is always best to err on the side of hand-trimmed.
Curing
Curing is a very, very important step in the process of making high-quality CBD flowers and something that is just sub-par. When the hemp has reached maturity, it will then need to be processed. Trimming removes all the unwanted material, leaving behind the fresh buds which then move onto the next stage of curing. Curing is typically done in a cool, dark room with constant airflow and temperature, usually about 65 degrees Fahrenheit. Proper curing produces better-looking buds that are rich in terpenes and cannabinoids and most experienced growers use a process called jar curing. Jar curing is done in the same dark rooms, but the buds are placed in mason jars and left to sit for a much longer time. Although slower the jar cure process preserves the quality of the CBD flower and produces a much more flavorful, better smelling, and smoother product.
Location and Type
Things like where the hemp was grown, such as indoors or outdoors can have an effect on quality. Outdoor grown hemp tends to be harsher and darker when compared to indoor-grown hemp. The rigors of mother nature usually create an inferior product. It can also be helpful to think of the region it was grown in. Mountainous areas produce different, but subtle attributes when compared to a temperate rainforest or a desert climate. Another factor to consider is the strain. Some strains can be higher or lower in CBD and this can contribute to the overall quality of the CBD flower. All of these should be taken into account along with trimming and curing as each producer produces different quality buds regardless of the many factors.
When in Doubt, Use Your Senses!
Smell
The smell of CBD flower is often what people notice the most. Excellent CBD flower will smell just like marijuana. When you open the bag or jar of buds the terpenes should waft right into the nose and flood your senses with the aromas. If the buds smell strong this means that the CBD flower is fresh, properly manufactured, and has not degraded much. Be wary of CBD flower that lacks smell, or has only hints associated with it. This insinuates that it was not handled properly before making it to you.
Sight
The look of the CBD can also be an indicator of quality. The buds should look chunky and moderately dense. They should be green and covered in little tiny crystals. These crystals are called trichomes which contain terpenes and cannabinoids. When they are present in high quantities you can be reasonably sure the CBD flower was grown, processed, and packaged with care. If the CBD flower is browner in color and lacking trichomes it is safe to assume that the quality is just not very high. Terpenes also contribute to the taste of the bud so the sight can also help you determine how the bud might taste when smoked or vaped.
Taste
Another excellent indicator of quality hemp buds can be the taste of it. If it is overly harsh and not very good tasting it is probably of lower quality. Conversely, if the smoke or vape is very smooth and the taste is very pleasing it is a good indicator that the CBD flower is of very high quality.
Effects
Finally, how does it make you feel? After smoking or vaping CBD flower you should feel relaxed and calm. If you experience discomfort after smoking CBD flower it could mean that the flower has more THC than advertised. Or if you feel nothing at all this could indicate a very low-quality bud that was improperly produced.
CBD Flower It’s Not Just For Smoking
While CBD flower’s most popular use is for smoking or vaping, it can be used in a variety of other ways. If you are an at-home baker CBD flower can be great for making some delicious edibles that also contain CBD. Some great ideas are cookies or the classic brownies, the earthy taste of the CBD flower really pairs nicely with the chocolate. Another excellent use is to make oils at home with some simple guides. Once made into the oil it can be consumed as is or added to a myriad of other products such as homemade soaps, lotions, or shampoos. Your only limit to what you can make is your imagination which is why CBD flower can be some of the most versatile of CBD products.
We here at Eagle Moon Hemp are proud to grow some of the best CBD flowers available anywhere. We are happy to offer a wide variety that passes all the above tests. If you are looking for an excellent CBD flower be sure to try ours and see, taste, and smell the difference. If you have any questions about us or our products be sure to drop us a line and say hi! We love to hear from our customers and give them the best service in the industry. We hope to hear from you soon!
