Cannabis concentrates are the fastest growing product category in the market, and also the most confusing for people who have not tried them. Walk into a dispensary or browse an online menu and you will see terms like wax, shatter, live resin, rosin, budder, crumble, and sauce. They all look different, feel different, and cost different amounts.
But they share a common thread: concentrates are cannabis products with the plant material removed, leaving behind a highly potent extract of cannabinoids and terpenes. THC levels in concentrates typically range from 60% to 90%, compared to 15% to 30% in flower.
Here is what each type is, how they are made, and which ones are worth trying based on what you are looking for.
What Makes a Concentrate a Concentrate
All cannabis concentrates start with raw plant material. The goal is to separate the desirable compounds (THC, CBD, terpenes, and other cannabinoids) from the plant matter (leaves, stems, cellulose) that you do not want.
The extraction method determines the texture, flavor, potency, and name of the final product. Some methods use chemical solvents. Others use heat, pressure, or ice water. The method matters because it affects what compounds survive the extraction process and end up in the product you consume.
Every concentrate sold at a licensed California dispensary has been lab tested for potency, residual solvents, pesticides, heavy metals, and microbial contamination. That testing is what makes legal concentrates safer than anything produced outside the regulated market.
Shatter
Shatter is one of the most recognizable concentrates. It is a thin, glass-like sheet of extract that breaks (or “shatters”) when you snap it. It ranges in color from golden yellow to amber.
Shatter is made using a solvent-based extraction process, most commonly with butane (BHO, or butane hash oil). The solvent strips cannabinoids and terpenes from the plant material, and then the solvent is purged from the final product through heat and vacuum processing.
The result is a stable, translucent concentrate with high THC content, typically in the 70% to 85% range. Shatter is popular because it is easy to handle (you can break off a small piece with a dab tool), it stores well, and it delivers strong effects.
The tradeoff: the purging process that gives shatter its glassy consistency can also strip away some terpenes, which means the flavor profile may be less complex than other concentrate types.
Wax and Budder
Wax and budder are soft, opaque concentrates with a creamy or waxy texture. They are made using the same solvent-based extraction process as shatter, but the post-processing is different. During purging, the extract is agitated (whipped or stirred), which introduces air and changes the molecular structure. This gives wax its softer consistency.
Wax has a crumbly, honeycomb-like texture. It is easy to scoop with a dab tool and works well in dab rigs, vape pens designed for concentrates, or sprinkled on top of flower in a bowl.
Budder is smoother and creamier than wax, closer to the consistency of peanut butter. It tends to retain more terpenes than shatter because the whipping process is gentler on volatile aromatic compounds.
Both wax and budder typically test between 70% and 90% THC. They are good entry points for people trying concentrates for the first time because they are easy to dose (scoop a small amount) and widely available.
Live Resin
Live resin is where concentrates get interesting for flavor chasers.
The key difference is in the starting material. Most concentrates use dried and cured cannabis. Live resin uses cannabis that was flash frozen immediately after harvest, before the drying and curing process. Freezing the plant preserves the full terpene profile, which normally degrades during drying.
The frozen plant material is then extracted using a solvent (usually butane or propane). The result is a concentrate with a rich, complex flavor that tastes closer to the living plant than any dried-flower extract.
Live resin has a wet, sauce-like consistency, sometimes with small crystalline structures (THCA diamonds) suspended in terpene-rich liquid. Potency is comparable to other BHO concentrates (60% to 85% THC), but the terpene content is significantly higher.
If flavor matters to you, live resin is one of the best options in the concentrate category. It is available in dab form and in vape cartridges. Our comparison of live resin vs. distillate cartridges breaks down how the two oil types perform in vape format.
Rosin
Rosin stands out from every other concentrate on this list because it is made without any chemical solvents at all.
Rosin is produced using heat and pressure. Cannabis flower or hash is placed between heated plates in a rosin press, and the combination of temperature and force squeezes out a golden, sap-like extract. No butane, no propane, no ethanol. Just heat and pressure.
This solventless process appeals to consumers who want a clean concentrate without any possibility of residual solvents. Licensed products are tested regardless, but rosin offers peace of mind for people who prefer a purely mechanical extraction method.
Rosin typically has a sticky, pliable texture. Potency ranges from 60% to 80% THC, and the terpene preservation is excellent because the process does not involve harsh chemicals that strip aromatic compounds.
The downside is cost. Rosin production is less efficient than solvent-based extraction, which means yields are lower and prices are higher. Rosin is often positioned as a premium product.
Hash rosin takes it a step further. Instead of pressing flower, hash rosin starts with ice water hash (made by agitating cannabis in ice water to separate trichomes). The resulting hash is then pressed into rosin. Hash rosin is considered one of the highest quality concentrates available, with exceptional flavor and smoothness.
Crumble
Crumble is similar to wax but with a drier, more brittle texture. It breaks apart into small pieces rather than holding together as a cohesive mass.
Crumble is made through solvent extraction followed by a longer, lower-temperature purging process. The extended purge removes more moisture and creates the dry, crumbly consistency.
It is easy to work with (you can scoop it, sprinkle it, or load it into a vape pen), and it stores well because the low moisture content makes it resistant to mold and degradation. Potency is in line with other BHO concentrates.
Crumble is a good option if you want a concentrate that is forgiving to handle and does not require precise dab tools or sticky cleanup.
Sauce and Diamonds
Cannabis sauce (sometimes called terp sauce) is a liquid concentrate packed with terpenes. It often contains THCA diamonds, which are crystalline structures of nearly pure THCA that convert to THC when heated.
The combination of sauce and diamonds gives you the best of both worlds: the rich terpene flavor of the sauce and the intense potency of the diamonds. Some products are sold as “diamonds in sauce,” and they are among the most potent and flavorful concentrates on the market.
THCA diamonds on their own can test above 95% purity. Mixed with sauce, the overall potency varies but is consistently high.
This format is best for experienced consumers who are comfortable with high-potency products and want maximum flavor.
How to Consume Concentrates
The most common way to consume concentrates is dabbing. A dab rig is a specialized glass piece (similar to a bong) with a heated surface (called a nail or banger) where you place a small amount of concentrate. The heat vaporizes the concentrate, and you inhale the vapor.
Electronic dab rigs (e-rigs) and portable dab pens have made the process more accessible. These devices heat to a set temperature automatically, removing the need for a torch.
You can also:
- Add concentrates to flower. Placing a small amount of wax or crumble on top of a bowl or inside a joint adds potency to your session.
- Use a concentrate vape pen. Some vape devices are designed specifically for concentrates rather than cartridges.
- Buy pre-loaded cartridges. Disposable vapes and 510 cartridges filled with live resin or distillate give you the concentrate experience without any extra equipment.
If you are new to concentrates, our guide on concentrates for dabbing beginners covers the basics of getting started with dabs.
Start Small
Concentrates are significantly more potent than flower. A small amount goes a long way. If you are used to smoking flower at 20% THC and you try a dab of shatter at 80% THC, the intensity will be noticeably different.
Start with a piece about the size of a grain of rice. Wait a few minutes to feel the effects before taking more. You can always add to the experience, but you cannot take it back once you have inhaled.
Which Concentrate Should You Try First?
If you are new to concentrates, here is a simple guide:
Want ease of use? Start with a live resin or distillate vape cartridge. No dab rig needed.
Want flavor? Try live resin or hash rosin. These preserve the most terpenes.
Want potency? Shatter and diamonds deliver the highest THC content.
Want clean extraction? Rosin is solventless and uses only heat and pressure.
Want value? Wax and crumble tend to be more affordable than live resin and rosin.
Browse the Full Selection
Ready to explore concentrates? Check out the Caña concentrates menu and order online for delivery to the San Fernando Valley, Sun Valley, Glendale, Hollywood, and surrounding areas. Not sure where to start? Get in touch with the team and we will help you pick the right product.