Shatter VS Budder, Which is Best?

Cannabis concentrates have exploded onto the scene in the last few years. The advantage of concentrates is that they are free from the restraints of state laws, allowing legal suppliers to create inventories for the plentiful dispensaries that have opened in the past few years.

However, with the concentrate boom comes confusion. Browsing the dispensary shelves can feel overwhelming with so much to choose from. This blog post intends to make you slightly less confused and help you decide whether budder or shatter is best suited to your smoking needs.

Budder

Budder is extracted with propane or butane and forms a waxy concentrate. Other compounds and cannabinoids are extracted from the plant material by the solvents, which concentrates them. The resulting oil can be worked within several ways.

Budder is made by whipping the oil right after it is extracted, giving it an airy or fluffy texture. The whipping causes THCA to precipitate and crystallise from the oil. This precipitation is the cause of the disparity in consistency. Budder has a high wax content, making it malleable.

Shatter

Shatter is widely enjoyed. The tiny, golden or amber shards can be striking, and it has become an art form. The first steps in the production process are often the same as those required to make budder. Over time, shatter will degrade into budder.

The cannabinoids crystallize in the concentrated oil, similar to budder, and the consistency improves, becoming waxier. Shatter’s consistency is determined by the types of molecules in it. It can be found in a sticky form like sap or taffy or in a sheet that looks like coloured glass that will “shatter” if dropped or hit. Since terpenes act as a solvent, resulting in a more viscous liquid rather than a solid state, these forms of shatters have fewer terpenes. If not adequately purged, shatter may have a taffy-like consistency.

So, which is better?

It’s just a matter of personal taste.

Both buds and shatter will appeal to discerning cannabis consumers. Shatter has a higher THC content, but both concentrates have been found to contain over 90% THC.

Both may contain comparable quantities of cannabinoids and terpenes, although bulk shatter is more stable and may be better suited for long-term storage. Both types of extracts should be kept refrigerated to maintain their potency. A refrigerator will suffice for storage, but if you’re buying something rare, a wine cooler is a way to go. Just be sure to keep your extracts in an airtight jar (hint: put coin envelopes or pop-top medicine bottles in a Tupperware). To prevent condensation, remove from the refrigerator and warm up before exposing to air or dabbing. If where you live is highly humid, the water content in the air can cause a slight sizzle on the nail.