Water Hash: The Best Strains
Showing how to pick the best strains for water hash
Not all cannabis strains are suitable for water hash extraction. Many strains that are ideal for smoking might not perform well during the washing process.
Not all cannabis strains are suitable for water hash extraction. Many strains that are ideal for smoking might not perform well during the washing process. Water hash made from fresh-frozen cannabis (WPFF) deserves special attention, as the living resin behaves differently from its dried counterpart, which is generally easier to work with and harvest. Some strains yield so little that the effort may not be justified, risking the loss of an entire harvest. So, what characteristics should be evaluated, and what tests should be conducted to select the most suitable strain?
What is a Good Yield Rate?
A cannabis strain must provide a minimum yield of 4% to be considered suitable for water hash production. The yield percentage indicates the amount of hash obtained from a given batch of flowers. The best strains offer yields above 5%, with exceptional varieties reaching up to 8%. Yield is often linked to the quality of the final product. Strains with yields around 3% typically do not provide a satisfactory return on investment when compared to the value of the dried flowers.
What Trichome Structure should you Look for?
High-quality hash consists exclusively of trichome heads. Cannabis plants have different types of trichomes, but capitate trichomes are the most relevant for hash makers. These have a mushroom-like shape, featuring a large head attached to a thin stem. The trichome head contains the majority of cannabinoids and terpenes. Trichomes with weak connections between the head and stem are ideal, as they detach more easily during extraction. It’s also important that the trichome cuticle—a waxy layer surrounding the head—be thick and strong. Trichomes with weak cuticles break easily when washed, releasing oils into the water and complicating the cleaning process. Observing the flower under a microscope before harvesting can be incredibly useful for identifying the best strains. Excellent resin has a dazzling, diamond-like appearance.
What about Trichome Density?
Strains with flowers completely covered in trichomes, without gaps between them, are ideal for producing water hash. Some strains are so densely coated with trichomes that they give the buds a frosty, whitish appearance, commonly referred to as "frosted buds" in cannabis terminology. Odor Choosing cannabis strains with a strong aroma is crucial. The amount of terpenes found in the resin significantly affects the quality of the water hash. By smelling the plants, you can identify those with the strongest odours and determine your preferences.
Finger Test
While not 100% reliable, the finger test offers helpful information for selecting the ideal cannabis strain. Rub a bud between your fingers to collect some resin and assess its consistency. High-quality resin has a granular texture and does not leak when touched, unlike greasy resins, which disappear quickly. Another method is to squeeze the resin between your fingers and observe how it reacts when you pull them apart. Good resin will stretch, creating microfilaments between your fingers.
What is the Jar Test?
The glass jar test is an effective way to gauge the potential quantity and quality of water hash that may result from a strain. To perform the jar test, you’ll need about 30 grams of freshly harvested buds, a few ice cubes, and a 500 ml glass jar.
1. Collect the cannabis and freeze it.
2. Wait at least 6 hours for the buds to freeze completely.
3. Fill the glass jar halfway with ice cubes.
4. Add the frozen flowers.
5. Shake the contents for 10 minutes.
6. Allow the resin to settle at the bottom of the jar for 30 minutes.
Observing the resin accumulation at the bottom of the jar helps determine whether to wash an entire batch of cannabis. For a more comprehensive evaluation, you can filter the jar's contents with mini bubble hash bags, collect the resin from these bags, and dry it to assess the results. Ultimately, the most effective method for evaluating a new strain is to conduct the entire extraction process with small quantities of cannabis. A batch size of approximately 500 grams is sufficient to yield accurate results.
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Liz Filmer
