Shatter vs. Live Rosin: Which Is Better?

We’re seeing a big increase in demand for concentrated cannabis products, which tells us that consumers are craving higher-potency solutions to their hemp-related needs.  Two of the most popular concentrates out there right now are shatter and live rosin, both of which provide above-average servings of cannabinoids and terpenes. 

But as you’re about to find out, these two types of concentrates are quite different from one another, which’s why it’s important to go over what makes each one unique, in order to make the right concentrate buying choice.

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Contender #1: Shatter

Shatter is a type of full-spectrum cannabis concentrate that you can find in just about any strain, and it’s made for dabbing.  It’s named after its appearance and texture, as it’s a lot like glass, being non-malleable, and sold in sheets, while being brittle.  It’s also translucent, and typically has a rich amber color.

Shatter is one of the most concentrated cannabis products there is, which is why it’s usually favored by individuals with a particularly high cannabis tolerance.  Shatter is broken up into shards, which are applied to your dabbing equipment to be vaporized at high temps.  Now, like we said, shatter is pretty much exclusively meant for dabbing.  You won’t find shatter in other cannabis products, like vapes, gummies, etc., as you will live rosin.

Shatter Creation Process

The process of making shatter begins with creating a full-spectrum hemp extract, by applying a solvent (butane) to fresh cannabis flower, to extract the cannabinoids and terpenes from the raw plant material.  Then, this extract is concentrated using low, even heat until it’s reduced. Butane is a must for shatter, as opposed to the fairly popular alternative propane, as propane would cause a sugary texture, while butane better preserves the terpenes in the plant, offering a homogenized texture due to the higher liquid content in the extract. 

Once there’s a hot, concentrated cannabis oil, it can be poured into a shallow tray, and once it cools, it will turn into a sheet.  During this time, it’s vacuum-purged of any butane remnants, which produces the signature bubbles on the surface of the shatter that you can see when you use it.  What remains is a slab that’s ready to be portioned out.

Shatter Pros & Cons:

Pros:

• Shatter is stronger than other types of concentrates, (with the exception of live rosin), in terms of the cannabinoid and terpene concentration, so the effects will be the strongest out of most alternatives.
• Shatter is great for dabbing enthusiasts who want something that’s easy to transfer and portion out, as the glass-like consistency allows it to break easily into single-serving pieces.

Cons:

• Shatter’s flavor is weaker than that of live rosin, due to the heating process, which breaks down some of the flavor molecules in the terpenes.

• Shatter is not really compatible with other hemp products, like vapes, as live resin is.
• Shatter contains a solvent, while live rosin does not.

Contender #2: Live Rosin

Live rosin isn’t the same as live resin, except for the fact that like live resin, it comes from fresh rather than dry-cured flower buds.  Live rosin is a solventless extract that has a fluffy, viscous consistency, and it’s opaque, almost like a wax.  Like shatter, live rosin has a very powerful concentration of terpenes and cannabinoids.

Live Rosin Creation Process

Live rosin is made from flash-frozen, fresh plant material rather than material that’s dry-cured.  That’s what makes live rosin unique from standard (aka “cured”) rosin.  Both types of rosin are produced by squeezing flower, kief or hash while applying heat, which concentrates the desirable compounds down, while the plant’s sticky trichomes help it form into a very thick substance that resembles tree resin.  

Using flash-frozen instead of dry-cured plant material mimics the process of making live resin, although naturally, live rosin is more potent because it’s concentrated.  Dry-cured flower is great if you’re going to be buying flower buds, but the process of dry-curing reduces the strength of the trichomes that coat each flower.  Flash-freezing preserves these trichomes more effectively, so that you get a far stronger and more flavorful end product.

Live Rosin Pros & Cons:

Pros:

• Live rosin is a solventless extract, meaning there’s no risk of traces of butane remaining in the end product, as there may be with lower-quality shatter products.

• Live rosin is about as potent as shatter, with up to 90% THC in any given batch.
• Live rosin is inherently made from fresh-flash frozen flower, which means you’re getting more trichome count in the end product.  
• Live rosin is extremely flavorful, which is a big advantage over shatter.
• Live rosin can be used in vapes, gummies, and other cannabis products, unlike shatter.

Cons:

• Live rosin is a bit messier than shatter, as it’s stickier and more malleable.

Shatter or Live Rosin: Which is Right for You?

Clearly, both live rosin and shatter bring something special to the cannabis convo.  While shatter is pretty much exclusively for dabbing, live rosin is quite versatile, and both offer intense cannabinoid potency, while live rosin wins for the best flavor.  We suggest that you experiment with both here at Binoid though, and then simply decide for yourself which type can really offer up those desired effects that you’re looking for.

Shatter is great for dabbing enthusiasts who want something that’s easy to transfer and portion out, as the glass-like consistency allows it to break easily into single-serving pieces. Live rosin is a solventless extract, meaning there’s no risk of traces of butane remaining in the end product, as there may be with lower-quality shatter products. Live rosin is about as potent as shatter, with up to 90% THC in any given batch.

Clearly, both live rosin and shatter bring something special to the cannabis convo.  While shatter is pretty much exclusively for dabbing, live rosin is quite versatile, and both offer intense cannabinoid potency, while live rosin wins for the best flavor.  We suggest that you experiment with both here at Binoid.

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