How to Cure Rosin for Perfect Consistency & Flavor

After your rosin is pressed, your work isn’t necessarily over. If you want to get the most out of your solventless extractions, it’s important to understand the basics of how to cure rosin. Curing opens up a whole new world of flavor and texture potential, and the good news is that it’s extremely easy to do.

What Is Curing Rosin?

Curing rosin is a process that involves heating or cooling your extraction in a sealed glass jar over a specified period of time, usually a few hours to a few days depending on the temperature. Depending on your goals, you might also agitate (whip) the extract to encourage a specific texture or consistency.

äkta Bananimals (Tropicanna Banana + Animal Mints) live rosin mid cold cure | Image from Instagram @aktacreations

There are two primary curing processes: cold curing and heat curing. Each will transform the product in a different way. You don’t have to cure your rosin after pressing it, but this type of treatment can enhance your extract. Best of all, it doesn’t require that much effort.

Why Cure Rosin?

When you press flower or hash rosin, you have some control over the texture and flavor. You can also influence these qualities to some extent by selecting your starting material carefully and choosing the right pressing temperature, but even that will only take you so far.

Curing rosin is one method that allows you to fine-tune that end product, transforming the consistency and texture into something more desirable while also enhancing the flavor profile. There are other ways to achieve this same goal, such as through mechanical separation techniques, but the curing method is easy and highly effective.

If you’re looking to market your rosin, the curing process will allow you to turn a single extract into a complete product line that includes badder, sauce, and even diamonds.

Cold-Curing vs Heat-Curing Rosin

Temperature is the most critical factor in determining how your cured rosin will turn out. Both cold-curing and heat-curing have their merits.

• Cold-curing is most commonly done at a temperature between 40°F and 70°F. The easiest cold-cure method is to keep the jarred extract at room temperature between 60°F and 70°F, but the extract can also be refrigerated at around 40°F for a faster cure and maximum terpene preservation. This type of curing works well for both flower and hash rosin and can leave you with a badder-like consistency. A lot of processors love it because it makes great marketing and usually results in an excellent product (when done right).

Finished cold cure rosin | Image from Eric Simpson (Instagram: @simpsonsolventless)

• Heat-curing generally occurs at a temperature in the 90°F to 120°F range. This amount of heat will result in very little (if any) cannabinoid and terpene degradation, and it allows for effective separation of terpenes over a period of several days. A hot cure works especially well for bubble hash and sift rosin, and the main benefit is that it allows for some unique textures — like rosin diamonds in a sauce consistency. This process is also great for making rosin jam.

Olio Strawberry Banana Bread mixed micron rosin jam post heat cure | Image from Instagram @rosin.ryan

No matter which approach you choose, the process is pretty straightforward.

How to Cure Rosin

Before the rosin is cured, it needs to be transferred from your rosin press to the jars. A simple jar tech method involves folding the parchment paper into a funnel and then using it to pour the collected rosin into the jars. One nice thing about the Pikes Peak V2 or Longs Peak rosin presses is that they can be adjusted for both horizontal and vertical orientation, meaning that you can lay them down for easy directional flow. This can make the rosin collection much easier.

Collecting fresh rosin off the Longs Peak rosin press in a jar for curing

To ensure the smoothest flow for your jar tech transfer, it helps to use premium hash rosin as your starting material. High-quality, trichome-rich strains also work especially well with the jar tech process.

Once you’ve transferred your rosin, you can further influence the consistency by whipping it. This is an optional step, but whipping can transform your rosin from a sappy consistency to something more batter or budder-like. This thicker consistency is ideal for dabbing.

Papa's Select live rosin being whipped

Whipping rosin is simple. As soon as you collect it in the jar, use your collection tool or any stirring implement to rapidly stir the extract. After you’ve thoroughly whipped it, you’re ready to start curing.

Cold-Curing Rosin

The easiest way to cold-cure rosin is to leave the extract in a sealed jar at room temperature for a few weeks. Alternatively, you can place the sealed rosin jar in the refrigerator for a few days (usually 2 to 3 days, or up to a week) and then let it finish curing at room temperature for a few weeks.

Different temperatures will give you slightly different consistencies and flavors, so you’ll want to experiment with both the room temperature and refrigeration options to determine which approach gives you the more desirable product. As the rosin cures, stir it occasionally to reabsorb any terpenes that separate during the curing process.

RKIVE Headbanger OG live rosin cold curing in a sealed jar | Image from Instagram @rkive.labs

There is no hard rule for how long you should let your rosin cure. In some cases, a couple of weeks may be sufficient. In other cases, you’ll need several weeks. Your rosin will continue to transform as it sits at room temperature, so let it cure until it achieves the consistency you’re looking for.

After the curing process is completed, keep your sealed jars in the refrigerator for long-term storage. This will help to preserve the flavor and terpenes. When removing a jar from the refrigerator, wipe down any condensation and keep the jar sealed at room temperature for about 20 minutes before opening the lid. This will prevent unwanted moisture from entering the jar and compromising your extract. Too much moisture in cannabis extracts can lead to mold and other microbial contaminants.

Heat-Curing Rosin

Heat-curing is similar to cold-curing, but you’re exposing your extract to hot temperatures instead of cold.

The simplest method for heat curing is the oven method. Just place your jar in the oven and keep it warm (90°F to 120°F) for a few days until you achieve the desired consistency and terpene separation. You may need to keep the jar in the oven for up to a week or longer.

Scissortail Solventless rosin jam in the oven for a heat cure | Image from Instagram @scissortail.solventless

Some experts also use other tools and methods for warm curing, though your results may vary. One example is to set a heating pad or hot plate to about 100°F to 120°F and place the jar on top of it. You can also use the heated plates on the rosin press itself.

Whichever method you choose, make sure to keep the lid sealed throughout the curing process. You don’t want to agitate the rosin at this point. When applying higher temperatures, it’s important to keep the lid sealed to minimize oxidation and terpene loss.

As with cold-pressing, you’ll want to keep your jars at room temperature for a few days to a few weeks after curing. Then store them in a refrigerator.

Curing Rosin Has Major Benefits

You don’t have to cure your rosin to achieve an excellent product, but it certainly gives you more control and the ability to customize your extract in unique ways. It can also open a whole new world of flavor potential.

The best thing you can do is experiment with different starting materials, temperatures, and curing times. Document your results each time, and discover which curing process gives you the best result based on your goals and expectations. As you explore different curing methods, you might just stumble upon your next million-dollar extract.

Looking for solventless training? Check out our sister company PureCannalabs.