CBD Hashish: how it is made, from sieve to ice water

CBD Hashish is a resin concentrate made from trichomes, the tiny glands that cover the flower heads of hemp. As with traditional hashish, the result depends above all on the method used to separate the trichomes from the plant and then compact them. Texture, colour and aroma vary considerably from one technique to another: here is how the main ones work.

What trichomes are

Trichomes are small mushroom-shaped structures found mainly on the female flowers of hemp. They contain the resin in which cannabinoids such as CBD are concentrated, along with the terpenes that give the plant its aroma. All Hashish production methods share the same goal: to detach these resin heads from the plant material and collect them as cleanly as possible.

Dry sifting (dry sift)

This is the oldest and most widespread method. The dried flower heads are shaken or rubbed over screens with progressively finer meshes: the trichomes, which are smaller and more fragile, pass through the mesh, while leaves and plant fragments stay on top. The powder collected, called kief, is then pressed.

The more times the material is sifted, the cleaner the resin, but the lower the yield. The Moroccan style, with compact amber or brown blocks, comes from this technique: this is the case with our Hashish Marocchino.

Fine filtration

A variant of sifting uses screens with mesh sizes measured in microns, to retain only trichome heads of a certain size and discard the rest. The result is a more selective resin with a compact, velvety texture, usually referred to as “filtered”. Hashish Filtrato belongs to this family.

Ice water (Ice-O-Lator)

Here the trichomes are separated using cold. The flower heads are immersed in ice-cold water and stirred gently: at low temperatures the trichomes become brittle and break away from the plant. The mixture is then passed through a series of filter bags with different mesh sizes, and the resin collected is carefully dried.

The method uses no solvents, only water, ice and filters. The product often has a golden colour and a crumbly, sandy texture, like our Hashish Ice-O-Lator.

Hand rubbing (Charas)

Charas originates in the Himalayan regions and is made from fresh rather than dried plants: the buds are rubbed between the palms of the hands, where the resin gradually builds up. The layer collected is then worked by hand into small blocks or sticks.

The result is a dark, soft and pliable resin with an aroma reminiscent of the fresh plant. Our Charas follows this tradition, while Manali Cream and Nepalese are inspired by the hand-worked styles of India and Nepal.

Pressing

In most cases the resin collected is compacted using pressure and gentle heat. Pressing makes the product more stable and easier to store, and it changes its appearance: the outside, exposed to air and heat, tends to darken, while the inside stays lighter. Heavily pressed blocks are hard and shiny, while lightly pressed or hand-worked ones stay soft.

What this means when you buy

• Texture: crumbly for Ice-O-Lator and lightly pressed sifted resin, compact for pressed blocks, soft and pliable for charas and the Himalayan styles.
• Colour: from golden to dark brown, depending on the method, the pressing and the oxidation of the surface.
• Aroma: depends on the starting variety, the technique and how the resin has been stored.
• CBD content: varies widely from one product to another and is shown on the packaging.

If you are choosing between flowers and resin, the differences are explained in the guide CBD flowers or CBD Hashish: the differences.

Frequently asked questions

What is the difference between kief and Hashish?

Kief is the trichome powder collected by sifting, while it is still loose. Hashish is obtained when this powder is pressed or worked into a block or a paste.

Are solvents used to make Ice-O-Lator?

No. The Ice-O-Lator method uses only water, ice and filter bags: the trichomes separate thanks to the cold and gentle agitation.

Why is Hashish sometimes dark on the outside and light on the inside?

The surface exposed to the air and to the heat of pressing oxidises and darkens, while the inside stays protected and keeps a lighter colour.

How should you store CBD Hashish?

In a tightly closed container, away from light, heat and moisture. Under these conditions, texture and aroma last longer.

You will find all the available types in our selection of CBD Hashish, reserved for adults.