What is Cold Cure Rosin and How Does it Compare to Warm Cured Rosin? 

When it comes curing rosin, there are two choices: cold cured or warm cured. The manner in which rosin is cured has a direct impact on the potency, the consistency, and even on the flavor of the finished product. Whether or not heat is applied – and if it is, the amount of heat applied – affects the dab’s overall quality.

Other factors impact the quality, too, including the amount of time the rosin remains under pressure, the manner in which stirring or agitation is applied to the rosin, the length of time the rosin is left to cure prior to being put into storage, and even the interior of the glass jar that it’s stored in. 

Jar Tech rosin cold curing
Jar Tech with a Rosintech Press

When rosin is extracted from cannabis buds, two main methods of curing can be used: cold curing and warm curing. Each of these methods of curing are subcategories of what a method known as Jar Tech, which involves sealing a glass jar to cure rosin in a range of temperatures. The degree of temperature that the extractor applies to the rosin renders two different Jar Tech methods, which, as mentioned are cold cured and warm cured. 

Generally speaking, cold cured is the better of the two options, as it is said to render a higher quality of live rosin. Whether you’re a rosin user or you’re planning on extracting your own rosin, read on to learn more about the cold cure technique. 

Cold Curing vs Warm Curing Rosin

“What’s the difference between cold curing and warm curing resin?” We’re glad you asked! The difference between the two methods is relatively minor; however, the outcome of the rosin that’s each process creates is quite different. So, let’s take a look at how these two methods of curing rosin differ. 

What’s Cold Curing Rosin? 

Typically, cold cured rosin occurs at temperatures that fall between the 40 and 70 degree F range. The cold curing process can easily be done at room temperature, between 60 and 70 degrees F (though we admit that referring to this as “cold cured” is kind of misleading, as room temperature isn’t what most people would consider cold).

An approach that is commonly used to cold cure rosin is to simply placing the rosin that has been extracted from the cannabis buds in a sealed glass jar and letting it sit at room temperature (between 60 and 70 degrees F) for about 1 to 3 days; it can even be left to sit for as long as one week.

As the rosin sits, you can literally watch as its consistency changes over time. If you’re cold curing the rosin yourself and you’re using this method, you will want to open up the jar and give the extract a good stir so as to recombine any of the terpenes that have separated as it sits and the consistency transforms. 

cold curing vs warm curing

The rosin that the cold curing process yields has a consistency that is similar to cake batter, and it holds its form, meaning you won’t have to worry about your rosin separating over time, which is a definite plus.

Another major benefit of the cold curing process is that it reduces the amount of degradation and evaporation of the terpenes the yield contains while it is transforming during the curing period. Whipping is a technique that is often used in conjunction with cold curing, as it enhances the stability of the yield. Often, stability is the goal of cold curing rosin; in other words, creating a consistency that’s even and a texture that is similar to cake batter and won’t separate over time. 

There are a lot of variations of the cold curing process; curing the rosin that is extracted from the cannabis buds in a refrigerator with intermittent stirring or agitation, as explained. In order to achieve a consistency and texture that the extractor is content with requires experimenting with the different variables that the process entails and observing the transformation of the end product. 

What’s Warm Curing Rosin? 

Warm curing is the alternative to cold curing (obviously). As the name suggests, the process involves curing extracted rosin at a high temperature; typically, between 90 and 135 degrees F. The heat accelerates the degradation of rosin’s key components: the terpenes and the cannabinoids. Additionally, the heat can transform the rosin into some pretty spectacular textures and incredible flavor profiles from the terpenes

A very simple and highly effective method that can be used to warm cure rosin is just applying the heat from a heating pad to extracted rosin. Simply set the heating pad to about 100 degrees F or greater. As the rosin is extracted from the cannabis buds, it’s directed into a glass jar, and the jar is sealed immediately after the collection has been completed. In order to minimize oxidation and terpene loss, the jar needs to be kept sealed throughout the duration of the curing period. 

dab crumble

The extracted rosin can be cured over a period of several hours. To begin, apply heat to the rosin-filled jar and set a timer for one hour; set a timer if it helps. When an hour has passed, check the consistency of the rosin, and then decide how you want to proceed. You can apply more heat to the jar, or you can remove it from the heat and leave it out at room temperature. When removed from the heat, it and left in room temperature, it takes about a day or so for the extract to harden, and when hardens, it will look white and crumbly or golden cream. 

If the rosin still isn’t cured when you check it after an hour, return it to the heating pad for a few hours, checking it every 20 minutes or so. If you prefer, you could whip or agitate the extract with a dabber tool while it’s still hot, then let it sit and cool back down to room temperature until it hardens up. When it does harden, it should have an appealing whipped golden hue. 

Alternatively, a rosin press can be used for warm curing. Simply set the extracted rosin into a sealed glass jar between the rosin press plates that have been heated to 125 to 135 degrees F. Let the jar heat for a period of several hours, keeping a watch on the changes in the consistency of the rosin. 

HerbCEO Final Thoughts

Herb CEO Summary

Look, this publication does not exist to tell people there’s only one way to do something and everyone else is wrong. Enjoying cannabis and cannabis extracts is a very personal relationship and everyone is entitled to their own processes.

At the end of the day variety is the spice of life and we’re thankful for the variety and innovation that is currently unending within the cannabis growing, processing, extraction and retail business.

Is cold cured rosin better?

While it is technically a matter of opinion most aficionados do prefer the less processed, non-heated cold cure rosin.

What is the difference between cold cure and fresh press rosin?

The difference is temperature and texture of the final product. Fresh pressed rosin is more commonly referred to as having a glass-like “shatter” texture while cold cured rosin is more like cake batter or opaque sticky wax in texture.

Do you keep cold cure rosin in the fridge?

To preserve terpenes and maximize the lifespan of cold cure rosin it is optimal to store in a refrigerator yes.

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