Sauce is making a big splash in the cannabis scene — and we’re not talking about condiments. Known for its rich flavors and significant potency, THC sauce is a new favorite product for terpene lovers, THC chasers, and anyone looking to try something new. Read on to find out more about what it is that makes THC sauce so special. You might just discover your new favorite cannabis product!
What is THC sauce?
THC sauce, AKA “terp sauce” or simply “sauce,” is a cannabis extract that contains heightened levels of delta-9 Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and a robust terpene profile. The result is a potent high and remarkable flavor in an extract that closely resembles the consistency of applesauce.
How potent is THC sauce?
THC sauce contains a higher-than-average amount of terpenes, starting at 13% terpene content. And while it tends to be less potent than other types of extracts, at around 60% THC content, the THCA diamonds contained within the sauce are virtually pure. And THCA diamonds can still prompt quite the high.
What does THC sauce look like?
THC sauce is generally sticky and liquidy, like marmalade or applesauce. That’s thanks to the terpenes in cannabis, which become a gooey, saucy layer following extraction. Inside the sauce, crystalline THCA diamonds can form, giving the extract its chunky appearance. Depending on how many of these diamonds are allowed to develop during the extraction process and post-processing, the final product can appear more liquid or solid.
How is THC sauce made?
Production of THC sauce begins with a similar process used to create other types of cannabis concentrates, typically using high-quality, fresh frozen cannabis. Extractors utilize a solvent to strip the plant material of its resin glands, or trichomes, which are packed with cannabinoids like THC and the flavorful, scented terpenes that make sauce so dang good.
Most commonly, the solvents used will be hydrocarbons like butane and propane as a solvent, thanks to their low boiling points. This makes these solvents suitable for creating THC sauce because they can be boiled off during the purging process without damaging the terpenes.
However, THC sauce is subjected to other steps along the way to produce the THCA diamonds that crystallize within the terpene rich sauce. Once purged, the extracted solution is poured into mason jars, where it can be left for up to weeks at a time. During this time, the cannabinoids will begin to crystallize, a process known as “diamond mining.”
As the THCA diamonds form, they sink to the bottom of the jar while the terpene sauce rises to the top. After a few weeks, the terpenes and crystals are separated and purged to remove all left-over solvent before reuniting the two to create a terp sauce that is as flavorful as it is powerful.
Note that each manufacturer may have their own twist on this process, and the above only describes a general approach to creating THC sauce.
Sauce vs. live resin
Although live resin is made using a similar process to sauce concentrates, the critical difference is that sauce is effectively a deconstructed version of live resin. Instead of co-mingling the cannabinoids and terpenes like live resin cartridges do, the process of diamond mining separates them from one another, allowing the cannabinoids to crystallize.
In the example above, the crystalline cannabinoids are added back into the terpene sauce. But they can be kept separate and sold as such. If you’re looking for a less potent, terpene-rich product, sauce without the THCA diamonds might be for you. Similarly, if you just want a virtually pure THC product and don’t care about the terpene profile, diamonds might be on your list.
You may also encounter products called “live sauce,” which refer to sauce made with fresh frozen cannabis as opposed to traditionally dried and cured flower. Much like live resin, live sauce is likely to contain even higher terpene levels than its non-live counterpart.
How do you consume THC sauce?
Due to THC sauce’s unique deconstructed consistency, it can be a bit messy to handle. But that doesn’t mean you can’t consume it in a similar way as other extracts — you may just need a dab tool and a bit of patience.
- Dab rigs: These glass pipes are typically fitted with a “nail” or “banger,” which is heated up by using a blowtorch or an e-nail. Using a dab tool, you can place a small amount of sauce onto the heated nail to instantly vaporize it while inhaling through the mouthpiece.
- Vaporizers: Electronic vaporizers (and sometimes called dab pens in this context) are the most convenient way to consume THC sauce. Most vaporizers contain a vape battery, mouthpiece, and chamber for heating the product. THC sauce can be loaded into the chamber and heated up for inhalation. There are many types of vaporizers out there, so be sure to check your device’s owner manual to be sure it’s compatible with extracts and with THC sauce before trying it out. Follow the directions, because overfilling the chamber or improperly operating the device can break it.
- Add to flower: Sauce can be added to cannabis flower when rolling a joint or packing a bowl to add a little extra flavor and potency to your sesh. It’s as easy as it sounds: just mix the THC sauce into your supply, then proceed to roll or pack as usual.
Where can I buy THC sauce?
Sauce is available at many licensed provisioning centers. In fact, you can purchase THC sauce at all three Iconic Wellness locations throughout Michigan. Our Gaylord, Sturgis, and Lowell provisioning centers offer a variety of THC sauce products from brands like True North Collective, Redemption Cannabis, and Monster XTracts. Visit any of our sites to shop, or view our full menu of cannabis products to see what else we offer!
Ready to try THC sauce?
Experimenting with new products can be nerve-wracking. Luckily, the team of experts at Iconic Wellness is here to help guide you through every step of the way. Our provisioning centers offer the best products and employees in the state of Michigan. So what are you waiting for?
