All About Hash

Hash is a solid, brownish-green brick of concentrated cannabis resin. Derived from the Arabic word hashish, which means “dry herb” or “rough grass”, hash is almost as old as cannabis cultivation itself. We can trace the likely origins of the OG weed concentrate as far back as the days of the Silk Road. Its use was prevalent in Persia and Central Asian countries for centuries. But how does its use in ancient times compare to how it is consumed today? And how do we mostly use it now?

Take a deep dive into all things hash with Canna Culture; your leading provider of quality cannabis products in San Jose and surrounding areas. Order for delivery on our extensive online menu. Call (408) 264-7877 if you have any questions about purchasing any of our premium products.

What is Hash?

Hash comes from the kief of female, trichome-dense cannabis plants. The riper and more resinous the trichomes, the better the hash will be. Trichomes – or resin glands – from these plants are compressed through various different means to produce a dark, sticky substance. Once it has been concentrated, it can be molded into various different forms. The most common of which are brick-like blocks and small round balls although in places like India, it’s not uncommon to see sausage-shaped lumps.

Quick facts about hash:

  • Solid blocks of concentrated bud flower
  • Also called: “hashish”, “Moroccan”, “bubble”, “dry herb”
  • Can be smoked, vaporized, or eaten
  • Used throughout history medically and ritualistically
  • Can be light blondish-brown, brownish-green, or dark brown
  • Various different extraction methods
  • Consistency can vary from a crumbly block to a solid ball

Standard hash has lower THC concentrations than most other cannabis products. It may produce less of a psychotropic effect and leave the user feeling a hazy, mellow high. And, for some, the milder high is beneficial. However, modern extraction techniques that further change the makeup of hash can produce concentrates – some of the highest potency weed products created!

A Crash Course in Hash History

Hash has a long history. To learn more about it, we have to take a trip back in time, and around the world. Many people believe that hash was first made in Afghanistan, although this is sometimes disputed. Others claim that India or Nepal are the originators of the substance. The latter two countries’ history with charas, a cannabis-derived product made from the fresh plant, is widely understood to have been tied to Hindu rituals. Early texts from the Middle East also mention hashish – most notably The Arabian Nights, a collection of classic folk tales from the region. 

Once trade routes were established across Central Asia and into Europe, the West was introduced to cannabis. In fact, in the 19th century, France became a major center for hash consumption. The Club des Hashischins rose to become a prominent Parisian spot for enjoying cannabis, and had such celebrity guests as writers Charles Baudelaire, Alexandre Dumas, and Victor Hugo.

Cannabis and its derivatives finally made their way to the United States in the early 20th century. And, according to scholars, immigrants fleeing the Mexican Revolution of 1910-1911 brought it here, where it has remained ever since. (1)

Talking Trichomes

Trichomes are gland-like appendages found in some plant species. Close up, they are transparent, hairlike in shape with a bulbous head. Among other roles, they are responsible for defending the plant against animals and UV light, as well as a mechanism for protecting seeds. (2) Many plants other than cannabis have trichomes, including lavender, mint, basil, and thyme. In the female cannabis plant, trichomes are found on the surface of the flower. The strain’s aroma and crystal density can indicate the potency of the hash extracted from the pressed flower.

Ways to Make Hash

Hash can be produced in many different ways. You can even make it yourself with the right ingredients and equipment! The two overarching modes are traditional pressing, which is simpler, and solvent-based extraction, which relies on more chemical processes to produce the product.

Solventless Extraction

Solventless hash extraction happens mechanically. Methods include:

  • Hand-Pressing – Literally made by pressing the kief by hand to make charas. Time-consuming, very small batches.
  • Dry Sift – Easy to vaporize. Separating trichomes mechanically through friction to form kief. Micron screens, scrapers, and gloves are essential!
  • Bubble Hash – Also known as ice water hash. Micron bags filled with plant material, water and ice are stirred to separate the trichomes which can then be scraped.

Is My Hash High Quality?

Dry sift hash should be a sandy color, and crumbly if it’s light-pressed, and should be dark and shiny if it’s been heavily pressed. When you’re examining pressed bubble hash, it should be soft and sticky. If it isn’t, it’ll look something like raw cane sugar in appearance and consistency. High quality hash should smell pleasantly green and aromatic. If it smells musty or moldy, it’s best to avoid. Similarly, if your hash smells of chemicals or plastic, steer clear – this could be a sign your product has been contaminated, or cut with something that won’t do you any good.

Finally, you can perform “the bubble test”. Take a small piece of your hash and light it. If it blackened and doesn’t bubble, you could be in trouble. However, if it burns quickly with a clean flame, the chances are you have some premium quality hashish!

  • Oil – Hash oil is an oleoresin; a semi-solid mixture of resin and essential oil created with the use of a solvent. It’s most commonly used in vapes and is what you’ll find in your vaporizer cartridges, but you can also use it sublingually, in salves, or in capsules. THC levels in hash oil vary tremendously, depending on how it was extracted, so be sure to check your packaging to make sure you know the potency levels! Some of the more commonly known hash oils are:
    • Butane Hash Oil (BHO)
    • Distillate
    • Batter (spreadable)
  • Wax – Like hash oil, wax is an oleoresin. But unlike oil, it has a solid consistency. Used in rigs, pens, toppers, and pipes, this golden substance is more potent than regular hash oil. In fact, some THC concentrations in wax have hit the 90% mark! Types of wax include:
    • Shatter
    • Live Resin
    • Honeycomb
    • Pull-and-Snap
    • Budder
    • Rosin
    • Crumb

Concentrates: All the Power of THC 

Concentrates are some of the most potent cannabis products on the market, and they’re derived from hash. They are most commonly extracted through heating alongside other ingredients, including hydrocarbons (organic hydrogen and carbon compounds), carbon dioxide, alcohol, and water. Some (but not all) concentrates are made using solvents. A wide variety of solvents can be used to make a cannabis concentrate, including petroleum ether, naphtha, benzene, and butane to ensure the highest THC percentages.

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Canna Culture Hash and Concentrates

HASHTAB  – Single (100mg) or 4 Pack (Indican & Sativa Available)

Our cold-water-formed Hashtab 100 swallowable ice water hash tablets take effect in 30–90 minutes. After that, you can sit back and enjoy its effects for up to 6 hours. With each tab offering 100mg of THC, these edibles can be thoroughly enjoyed by smoking and nonsmoking connoisseurs alike!

Jacks Dreams Extract (Sativa)

Feel like getting the giggles? Follow this simple formula! Jack Herrer x Blue Dream = Jacks Dreams; a familiar, heady favorite in our premium wax collection. Super strength, and bursting with THC, this bold budder hits hard with a massive 78.0% THC!

Punch Rocket Black Diamond x Papaya Berries [1.6g] Rosin-Infused Preroll (Hybrid)

A hefty, hand-rolled, pre-roll to make you feel the best you can be! This Punch Rocket hybrid is a chunky smoke that’s perfect for the more experienced cannabis user. It’s also enhanced by a dusting of rosin! And, if that wasn’t enough,it also comes with a reusable glass tip!

Almora Hindu Kush 100% Live Resin Cartridge (Indica)

A relaxing high is waiting for you with the Hindu Kush indica live resin cartridge. Its sweet, earthy, and woody flavor profile helps smokers to appreciate the wonderful aromas of top terpenes.  Like hashish, the Hindu Kush strain originates far back in Central Asian weed mythology. We bring you the modern-day way to smoke it, allowing you calm, deeper relaxation, and enhanced creativity!

These are just some of the wide range of hash-related products. Shop our dispensary menu online for the full range and order for delivery at Canna Culture!

Cannabis Delivery in San Jose

Looking for some quality cannabis products for delivery? Look no further than Canna Culture! Browse our large selection of products online! 

Questions? Please give our budtenders a call at (408) 264-7877. Or fill out an online query form.

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References

  1. Manual, B. (2014, October 17). Marijuana’s History: How One Plant Spread Through the World. Live Science; Live Science. https://www.livescience.com/48337-marijuana-history-how-cannabis-travelled-world.html 
  2. Wang, X., Shen, C., Meng, P., Tan, G., & Lv, L. (2021). Analysis and review of trichomes in plants. BMC Plant Biology, 21(1). https://doi.org/10.1186/s12870-021-02840-x 
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