Home Delight: Making Hash from Cannabis Leaves

August 26, 2020 Delia Italia

Understanding Hash from Cannabis Leaves

When harvesting cannabis, various plant parts are produced, each usable in its own way. Particularly interesting for hash production are the resin glands, also known as trichomes, found on the flowers and surrounding small leaves (fine cut) of the female cannabis plant. These trichomes are especially rich in THC and CBD.

Understanding what hashish is:

Hashish is a concentrated cannabis product primarily made from the resins of the female cannabis plant. It contains a high concentration of cannabinoids, including THC and CBD, making it more potent than the flowers of cannabis. The color, consistency, and potency of hashish can vary depending on the methods used for production and the cannabis strains used. Any strain you choose for your own hash is suitable, as almost all are excellent for producing THC and CBD-rich products.

Separation of fine and coarse cuts:

The key to producing high-quality hash lies in the effective separation of fine and coarse cuts. The fine cut, rich in trichomes, refers to the small leaves located close to the flowers. These are particularly valuable because they carry a high concentration of cannabinoids and thus can be used for hash production without needing to use the flowers. Careful collection of this material ensures that your end product is potent and of high quality. If you grow multiple strains, you can separate the fine cut of the various strains as well, to create special effects in the desired hashish, such as a particularly energetic effect through a high Sativa content.

In contrast, the coarse cut includes the larger leaves and stems of the plant, far from the flowers. These parts contain less THC and are therefore not suitable for use in producing hashish. Separation is essential as mixing with coarse cut would reduce the quality and purity of the products. One of the simplest and most environmentally friendly methods of using coarse cut is composting, to create nutrient-rich soil for the garden, but it can also be used as bedding for small animals.

Successfully Pressing Hashish

A traditional and straightforward method to make hashish from cannabis is tapping off the fine cut to collect the trichomes, and subsequently pressing this collection into a compact mass. For this, the small leaves of the fine cut must be cleanly separated and dried during the cannabis harvest. This technique uses physical separation processes to isolate the potent components of the cannabis plant – the trichomes – and turn them into hashish. It is a great way to concentrate the potency of THC and CBD and the flavors of the cannabis plant, and produce a high-quality cannabis product. These are the steps to make pressed hashish:

Preparation of the fine cut: The first step is to collect the fine cut, i.e., the small leaves covered with trichomes near the flowers. This material should be dry to facilitate the process.
Tapping off the trichomes: Place a fine mesh sieve or a special pollen catcher over a clean, flat collecting container. Then place the fine cut on the sieve and gently tap it or move the sieve in a shaking motion. The trichomes, small resinous crystals, will fall through the sieve and can be collected below. This activity may take a few minutes, but patience pays off here.
Collection of trichomes: The collected trichomes, often referred to as kief, are very potent and the basis for your hashish. They look like a fine, light powder and contain the concentrated cannabinoids and terpenes of the plant.
Pressing the hashish: To make hashish from the kief, it needs to be pressed. This can be done manually by wrapping the kief in parchment paper and applying pressure with a warm, but not too hot object (like a bottle). For a more even and firm result, a special hash press can also be used. The heat and pressure cause the trichomes to merge and form a compact, often darker mass – the hashish.
Maturing the hashish: After pressing, the hashish can be consumed immediately, but many prefer to let it "mature" first. During this time, the flavors can develop further, and the hashish can become harder, which positively affects the taste and potency.

Making Your Own Bubble Hash

The production of bubble hash is another method that produces a particularly pure and potent product. This method uses water and ice to separate the valuable trichomes from the plant parts. The cold of the ice and the fine sieves ensure that only the purest trichomes are used for hash production. This process requires some practice and patience, but the result is a high-quality hashish that is appreciated by both connoisseurs and casual users.

Step-by-step guide to making icelator hash:

Preparation of materials: Start by separating fine and coarse cuts, as described in the first section. For the production of icelator hash, use the fine cut, which is rich in trichomes. For this method, you will need:

Preparation of equipment: You will need an icelator set, which consists of several sieving bags with different mesh sizes, a large container, ice cubes, and cold water.
Mixing: Place the fine cut along with a generous amount of ice in the container. Fill the container with cold water so that the plant material is completely covered. The ice helps lower the water temperature, making the trichomes hard and brittle, and easier to separate from the plant material.
Stirring: Gently stir the mixture. This step promotes the separation of the trichomes from the plant material. It is important not to stir too vigorously to avoid shredding the plant material, which could reduce the quality of the end product.
Filtration: After stirring, let the mixture rest so that the trichomes can settle. Then pour the mixture through the sieving bags, starting with the bag with the largest mesh size and ending with the finest. Each bag now captures trichomes of different sizes.
Collecting and drying: The trichomes collected in the finest sieving bag form the basis for your icelator hash. Carefully collect the material and spread it on a drying rack or a similar surface. It is important that the hashish dries thoroughly to prevent mold formation and quality loss.
Pressing (optional): After the material has dried, it can be pressed into blocks or plates to achieve the classic hashish format. This step is optional and depends on your personal preferences.

Producing Hash Oil Through Alcohol Extraction

Hash oil is probably the most potent form of cannabis extracts that can be easily made at home. An effective method for producing hash oil, which is high in cannabinoids such as THC and CBD, is alcohol extraction. This method uses the solubility properties of alcohol to extract cannabinoids and terpenes from the fine cut of cannabis. Hash oil, also known as wax, can be used for a variety of applications, including use in edibles, tinctures, or for dabbing. Here is a simple guide, but you should be cautious when handling flammable liquids and vapors. Safety should always come first.

Material preparation: Start with dry, crushed cannabis. Ideally, this should consist of fine cut, as it is rich in trichomes. Make sure the cannabis is completely dry to maximize the efficiency of the extraction.
Alcohol: High-proof alcohol is best for extraction, such as isopropyl alcohol (at least 99% purity) or ethanol. It is important to use food-grade alcohol to ensure the safety and purity of the end product.
Extraction process: Place the crushed cannabis in a glass vessel and pour the alcohol over it until it is completely covered. Close the vessel and shake it vigorously for a few minutes. This helps dissolve the cannabinoids and terpenes from the plant material.
Filtration: After shaking, filter the mixture through a fine sieve or coffee filter into another vessel to remove the plant material. The liquid solution now contains the extracted cannabinoids.
Evaporation of the alcohol: The next goal is to evaporate the alcohol so that only the hash oil remains. This can be done carefully by heating the solution in a water bath and should take a few minutes. Make sure to do this in a well-ventilated area and avoid open flames, as alcohol vapors are highly flammable.
End product: After the alcohol has completely evaporated, a thick, dark oil remains. This is your hash oil, rich in cannabinoids such as THC and CBD. Store it in a small container and avoid direct sunlight and high temperatures to preserve the quality. Use it sparingly, as its high THC and lower CBD content can be particularly intense, especially with Indica strains.