How to make a good cannabis cure
How to make a good cannabis cure.
Curing is one of the most important processes of the crop. Once we have managed to finish our crop, we must dry our harvest. If you still have to dry your plants, we recommend you to see our post "How to dry cannabis buds". Once we have finished drying, we come to the curing part of our buds. But what do we mean when we say that cannabis should be cured? In our online grow shop we tell you everything in detail!
What is cannabis curing?
At the moment the drying process is finished we may think that our buds are ready to enjoy them, but if we want to get the maximum potential in terms of flavour, aroma and all the organoleptic properties of the buds, we must cure them.
Although at this moment you are eager to taste your harvest, we assure you that with a good curing process you will get incredible results that will make the process and the wait completely worth it.
Why cure cannabis buds?
Even if we have to extend the end of our crop by a few weeks, it will certainly pay off.
When we think that our harvest may be completely dry, we must be sure that this is the case, as the outside of our buds may be dry, but inside them there may still be some moisture left. With curing we will be able to evenly extract the moisture from the buds to the outside, drying them completely and improving their quality.
Curing cannabis buds will produce a smooth and delicious smoke. With curing we achieve a degradation of the products generated by drying, such as sugars. If we do not do it, or do not do it correctly, we will generate a harsh and unpleasant taste in the mouth, so, by curing, we will eliminate these compounds, improving the flavour and achieving a smoother and more pleasant smoke.
We will improve the taste of the buds. With curing we achieve the degradation of some products, while at the same time we stop the degradation progress of volatile compounds before they evaporate or are transformed into less interesting compounds, such as flavour and aroma. This not only accentuates the flavour and aroma, but also achieves the maximum psychoactive potential of the bud.
The effect is more potent. As the terpenes and cannabinoids do not volatilise, the THC levels remain in the buds, thus maintaining the maximum THC produced by our plants.
By keeping our buds in optimal conditions, we can extend their shelf life without losing flavour and potency. In addition, we notably reduce the appearance of mould due to increased resistance.
When is cannabis curing done?
When the buds are dry, we recommend separating the buds from the stems, so that it is much easier for them to lose moisture, and then placing them in a container.
What is the cannabis curing process like?
Introduce the buds loosely, filling the container to approximately 75% of its capacity. That way, we will have a little air at the top of the pot and we will be able to shake it, so that the humidity can then escape. If you see that the buds stick together, it means that they are still damp, so you still need to dry them further.
Close the container and store it in a cool, dry and dark place. The next day the buds will no longer be dry and crunchy, because the moisture inside the buds hydrates the drier outer parts. In this way we manage to extract the moisture from the inside of the buds. If this does not happen, it means that the buds have dried out too much.
The buds should be kept in the container at optimum temperature and humidity. Store the jars in a room or cupboard with a temperature of 21°C. The relative humidity inside the container should be 60 - 65%. For this we recommend the use of thermo hygrometers.
How long to open the jars in the curing process?
The first few days the humidity will be higher, and to lower it, open the containers several times a day. In this way, the buds will breathe and the humidity will be extracted. If the buds are not dry enough to cure, anaerobic bacteria will rot them. We will know this is happening when we notice the smell of ammonia when we open the container. During these days we will check the containers often, so that we can detect fungus or mould and eliminate the buds as soon as possible. During the first days of curing we will have to open the lids often, renewing the air. If the humidity is high, we should uncover the containers for at least 2 hours approximately.
As the days go by, the humidity will decrease, even so, we will uncover the containers at least once a day for a couple of minutes.
How long does it take to cure cannabis?
When the cannabis buds have been in the container for 3 weeks, the buds will be cured and ready to smoke (we recommend a period of 4 - 8 weeks depending on the strain). Although it is worth noting that the quality of our buds will continue to increase until 6 months of curing. At that time our cannabis was at its best to enjoy all its properties.
If you want to know "How to preserve cannabis" we recommend you take a look at our blog.
Recommendations and tips for curing cannabis.
Protect cannabis from light.
One of the most important factors is light. We must store the buds in a dark place or in a dark container, so that the light does not penetrate the inside of the bottle. Light can cause a loss of quality in our buds together with the degradation and volatilisation of terpenes, THC and the different cannabinoids found in cannabis. Therefore, to prevent our harvest from losing flavour and potency, we recommend storing the buds in dark containers and closed cupboards.
Avoid high temperatures.
Just as light degrades cannabinoids and flavonoids, so does the heat. Not only must we protect our buds from light, but heat also affects the loss of THC, flavour and aroma. Reducing the potency and organoleptic properties of the buds. The ideal temperature for the curing process is 21ºC.
Control humidity during curing.
Humidity is the main factor for good curing. We must have the buds in their optimal state of drying. They cannot be too wet or too dry. If the buds are very close together and stuck together, it means that they are still wet, we will know it, thanks to the smell of ammonia that they will give off.
On the other hand, if they are too dry, the buds will break easily, and when you want to smoke them, they will crumble very easily, leaving you with an unpleasant taste and a harsh smoke. You may even get a scratchy throat as a result.
The cannabis should be dried at a humidity between 45 - 55% so that the outside of the bud dries out and still retains moisture on the inside. At the time of curing the humidity should be set at an optimal level of 60%.
We can cure our weed in different containers, glass jars, Tight Vac pots, wooden boxes... To do so, For this we recommend you to see "Where to store cannabis buds".