The world of cannabis concentrates is incredibly diverse. You’re spoiled for choice if your goal is to find the most potent THC products in the world. A prime example is 99.9% THC, a concentrate so strong that you only need a rice-sized grain to enjoy an intoxicating high.
However, terpene sauce, also known as ‘terp sauce,’ is grabbing headlines these days. It combines the cannabis plant’s terpenes and cannabinoids to provide a great-tasting product. Find out everything you need to know about THC terp sauce in this article.
What Is Terp Sauce?
It is a marijuana extract that offers a sticky, syrupy consistency. It is created by combining the plant’s terpenes with its cannabinoids, specifically THCA. Terpenes are what give the cannabis plant its aroma and flavor profile. In fact, organic materials like plants and fruits offer terpenes in abundance; there are an estimated 20,000 terpenes in nature overall.
These compounds are generally mixed with THCA isolate to create potent terp sauce. You can then dab this product as you would shatter, budder, or any other concentrate. Alternatively, manufacturers process the mixture into a vape cartridge. Users often say they receive the most flavorful vaping experience of their lives.
Another way of describing terp sauce is to say it is cannabis concentrate with an extremely high level of terpenes. Such products are typically referred to as ‘high terpene full-spectrum extracts’ (HTFSEs). It is also possible to find terp sauce that contains CBD isolate instead of THCA. This is ideal for individuals who want to experience the flavor of terpenes without getting high.
If you intend to buy terp sauce, it is important to know what you’re looking for. It is easy to confuse it with high-cannabinoid full-spectrum extracts, also called HCFSEs. These products usually contain 70+% THCA and few terps. In contrast, the terp sauce you want, HTFSEs, has up to 40% terpenes and around 50% THCA.
How Do Manufacturers Create Terp Sauce?
While CO2 extraction is all the rage, it is important to note that companies sometimes use solvents to create terp sauce. These can include butane, ethanol, and even propane, which is NOT recommended! Find out more about the company’s extraction process before deciding if you want its THC terp sauce.
As with every cannabis concentrate, it is all about the cannabis strain. Without a high-quality plant, you can’t expect a good end product. The more terpenes and THCA in the strain to begin with, the better.
Without a high-quality plant, you can’t expect a good end product.
The first step normally involves using fresh flowers to create live resin. Manufacturers flash freeze the buds before the extraction process to retain a high percentage of terpenes. Using cured buds won’t provide nearly the same amount of terpenes as live resin.
Then, they use low heat to slowly purge the extract to off-gas most of the solvent used. This process is followed by pouring the extract into a glass mason jar while it still has a thick consistency. The makers of terp sauce ensure that the jars are stored at a little above room temperature.
Now patience is required as they must wait for the mixture to age and crystallize. After some time, the THCA crystals form and sink to the bottom. Meanwhile, the terpenes rise to the top, where they create a layer of goo. It can take approximately three weeks to complete this process.
Now, it is time to separate the crystals and terpenes and purge. The manufacturer purges the crystals for up to 72 hours, while it takes around 60 hours to purge the terpenes. When the solvent is gone, the company combines the two compounds and puts them into special containers. The result is a terp sauce with up to 50% cannabinoids.
Is THC Terp Sauce the Same as Live Resin?
Many people assume that terpene sauce and live resin are the same product. It is an easy mistake to make. After all, terp sauce is live resin at one point during its manufacture. Both products are full-spectrum and contain large amounts of terpenes and cannabinoids.
However, live resin tends to contain more cannabinoids than terpenes. As the name suggests, terp sauce is laden with terpenes, and it is combined with cannabinoids. It contains well-known terpenes such as beta-caryophyllene and limonene. However, terp sauce also has dozens of compounds you’ve likely never heard of. These include:
- Bisabolol
- Carene
- Cineole
- Geraniol
- Valencene
Can I Make Terp Sauce at Home?
You can, although it is necessary to complete a very different process to the one outlined above. First and foremost, you should NEVER try to use solvents to extract compounds from the marijuana plant. It requires special equipment, a setting specifically designed for the process, and expert knowledge. Incorrect usage of a solvent like butane or propane could have dire consequences.
Making DIY Terp Sauce
Instead of the above method, you should use a resin press and filter bags with between 25 and 37 microns. You also need a heating mat and parchment paper. Your starting material should be in wax or budder form as both options contain high concentrations of THC and terpenes. Then you should follow these steps:
- Switch on the rosin press and set the temperature of the plates to between 130- and 140-degrees Fahrenheit.
- Make sure that you press the plates together as they heat. This process provides faster and more even heating.
- Place the material in a tight mesh. You can choose mesh bags with anywhere from 25 to 37 microns.
- Add the material to the bag, fold the opening and remove any rosin that sticks out.
- Place the tightly wrapped package in the machine and start pressing.
- Please ensure that the open end faces you so that the terpene-rich sauce comes out the right end.
- After you see the liquid come out and drip onto the collection paper, keep pressing until you reach the maximum level of pressure. Hold it for around 60 seconds or until the sauce stops coming out.
- Open the plates and take everything out. Collect the sauce, and use a new piece of paper to catch more of it.
- Repeat the pressing process but this time, set the temperature to 175-190 degrees.
- Remove everything and allow the plates to cool. By now, you should have a yellowish substance with a texture like chalk.
- Finally, place this chalky substance on the press and set the temperature to around 250 degrees. This time, don’t apply any pressure. This melts the material and provides a crystal-like texture when it cools. Now, break it into pieces.
- You can now combine some of the crystals with the terp sauce made during the first press.
Final Thoughts on THC Terp Sauce
The terp sauce you see in the store requires a lot of expertise and patience to create. It can take weeks to create this fantastic combination of terpenes and THCA. However, the wait is well worth it. You benefit from an extremely potent product that also tastes incredible. It is also possible to create a DIY version that doesn’t require solvents.
It can take weeks to create this fantastic combination of terpenes and THCA.
There are several ways to enjoy terp sauce. Most users like to dab or vaporize it. These methods provide a delightful flavor and should be relatively easy on the throat and lungs. Remember, terp sauce is typically high in THC, so use it responsibly.
