Introduction to Kief
Cannabis consumers looking to expand their horizons will find kief a potent and versatile option. But what is kief and how can using it add an extra zing to your cannabis routine?
Kief is a fine powder that breaks off from cannabis flowers or buds and is used to add a kick to anything from joints to edibles. Kief is an extremely potent product which means even a sprinkle will give your regular smoke a mind-bending strength.
What Is Kief?
Kief refers to concentrated trichomes separated from cannabis flower buds. It appears as a light-colored, shimmery powder made up of tiny crystals. The THC, other cannabinoids, terpenes, and flavonoids contained in a bud’s trichomes make kief a potent and aromatic solventless concentrate that adds force and character to regular weed.
How Is Kief Formed?
Cannabis plants develop resinous glands called trichomes as they mature. Cannabis trichomes contain the whole spectrum of compounds found within the cannabis plant: THC, CBD, other cannabinoids, and aromatic terpenes.
Trichomes look like finely ground sugar or salt, but pack a much greater punch! When trichomes dry and fall away from the plant, they become kief.
What Does Kief Look Like?
Kief has a darker color than fresh trichomes. This is because it oxidizes and loses freshness when it breaks away from the buds. Kief tends to range from a light-gold color to brown and has a shimmery, powdery appearance. It's fairly sticky to the touch, but less sticky than trichomes on the bud.
What to Look for When Purchasing Kief
Take a good look at the color of your product when purchasing kief from a dispensary. Pure kief will usually have a lighter color, ranging from light blond to tan crystals. The purest form of kief will be the most potent. Sometimes kief can be darker or green; this probably means it has cannabis plant material mixed in. This won't be as potent, but will still add an edge to your joints.
How to Collect Kief
Most people collect kief in a cannabis grinder. Grinders break cannabis buds down into smaller, uniform pieces ready to be used in joints, in a vaporizer, or for packing pipes or bowls. While grinding buds, kief will fall into a separate chamber at the bottom of the grinder.
Alternatively, use a kief box. Kief boxes have two chambers, one to place the buds in and the other to collect the kief. The chambers are separated with a fine mesh screen which works to separate the kief from the buds when shaken.
Some people also collect kief using a silk screen. Rub dried weed across the screen to collect a very fine dry sift. Using a silk screen is highly effective as the most potent kief is free from extra plant material.
Be Patient When Collecting Kief!
Patience is a virtue, and never more than when collecting kief! It will take weeks or even months to build up a significant stash.
When you've collected a decent amount, unscrew your grinder's kief-catcher chamber and carefully scoop out your haul. Consider using a tool at this point so your precious kief doesn't stick to your fingers.
How to Use Kief
Kief is among the most versatile of all cannabis products. For that reason, consuming kief can take many forms. Try adding kief to a vape chamber, bowls, or joints when your bud isn't hitting the spot. Weed's shelf life can range from six to twelve months when stored properly, but it can lose its potency over time; that's where kief shines!
Other ways to use kief crystals:
If you've accumulated an impressive stash, kief can be pressed into hash.
Sprinkle kief on top of a bowl of cannabis bud.
Add kief to cannabis oil or cannabis extracts to make turbo-charged edibles.
Benefits of Kief
The top three benefits of kief are:
Purity: Kief is low in plant matter. This means that smoking or vaping kief offers a smoother and more flavorful experience.
Potency: Kief's THC concentration is much higher than regular flower. Kief also offers higher levels of CBD, other cannabinoids, and terpenes.
Versatility: Kief can be used in dozens of ways! This means you can consume it in the way you enjoy most!
Potency of Kief
Kief is a potent product and should be used sparingly to avoid unpleasant effects. One study estimated kief to contain between 35-50% THC. However, some kief is anecdotally said to contain up to 80% THC.
Using a more conservative estimate, the THC percentage of kief is significantly higher than the 15% average THC content found in regular weed. Consume highly potent products like kief wisely by starting with a small amount and only upping the dosage if necessary.
FAQs
If you’re still searching for answers about kief, we’ve got you covered!
Is Kief Illegal in Some States?
Yes, kief is illegal in states where marijuana is illegal. Familiarize yourself with your state’s laws to understand purchase and possession limits.
How Much Kief Can I Purchase Legally?
How much kief you can buy legally will differ from state to state. Washington residents aged 21 and above can purchase up to 7g of cannabis concentrate from dispensaries, including our dispensaries in Seattle.
How Should I Store Kief?
Storing kief is easy! Keep your kief in its catcher or in a glass Mason jar in a cool, dry place.
Do Different Cannabis Strains Produce Different Kief?
Logically, cannabis strains that produce different trichomes will produce different kief. Certain strains also contain more trichomes than others, meaning they'll give a greater yield of kief.
Turbocharge Your Cannabis Consumption with Kief
Kief offers a unique and potent way to experience cannabis. Its concentrated trichomes provide a powerful hit of cannabinoids and terpenes, intensifying the effects and aromas of your chosen strain.
Whether you're seeking a more potent smoking experience, exploring culinary applications, or crafting concentrates, kief offers versatility for various consumption methods. Turbocharge your regular joint, bowl, or edible with kief for an unforgettable ride!