✅ Updated 8/17/21

A good cure can take your solventless cannabis extract to the next level. While rosin is ready to consume immediately after production, the curing process transforms color, texture, consistency, flavor, and even potency in unique and sometimes unexpected ways. Curing is a matter of personal preference and there are no absolutes.  The main variables to consider when curing rosin are air exchange (oxygen), temperature, pressure, and time. 

Air exchange is controlled through opening or closing of the container and stirring/agitation. Temperature can be controlled via heat treatments with an oven, hot plate, or rosin plates. Cold treatments are best given either at room temperature or in the refrigerator. Pressure is controlled via an airtight seal on your container. Finally, as far as time, for good or bad it always takes care of itself. Rosin does break down and degrade over time, but there is a sweet spot during the cure. Once rosin is cured to your preference, keeping it in the refrigerator for long term storage is your best bet.

Jar Tech involves collecting rosin fresh from the press by allowing the rosin to drip directly from the parchment paper into a sealable glass jar. The jar should have a large opening, big enough to fit your hand inside, and fitted with an airtight seal. Half pint mason jars are great for a few grams of rosin. 

Once the rosin is collected, you can give a hot or cold treatment. Securing your sealed glass jar snugly between rosin plates is a great way to give heat treatments. Simply placing the jar in the oven or a tabletop hot plate will work as well. When using rosin plates, a good approach is to set the temperature to 165 degrees Fahrenheit for around 30 minutes until you notice the rosin to start rising and lightly bulging at the top.  Maintaining pressure inside the jar is critical at this point, as it’s conducive to the terpene separation from the rest of the extract. 

Another way to cure rosin with the Jar Tech method is giving a cold cure, which is a better way to preserve terpene profiles and reduce cannabinoid degradation. Heat causes the delicate terpenes in rosin to evaporate, which leads some extractors to stick exclusively to a cold cure. You can leave rosin in the freezer with the lid off for a few hours after extraction, then take it out and stir/agitate until the texture begins to transform. Replace the lid and leave at room temperature for a few days until it’s time to stir again for a nice badder consistency.  

Conclusion:

There are a lot of unknowns in rosin curing. In some ways it’s like modern day alchemy for the cannabis enthusiast. Don’t be afraid to play around with the variables, especially with a cold cure. Experiment with both timing and temperature and even otherwise predictable rosin runs can surprise you. 

Experimentation will help you identify the right cure for your personal preference, so the more you play with the variables the better, until you settle on your own holy grail. That said, no two batches of rosin will cure exactly the same, so responding to visual queues and making necessary adjustments throughout the process is always a good approach. Stay flexible and open and you’ll become a master at curing rosin. 

Which Jar Tech recipes work best for you? Let us know your favorite method in the comments below. 

Thoughts? Let us know by joining our secret Facebook group. Hang out with a community of like-minded solventless heads like yourself. Ask our head extractor questions, share your latest press and learn from hobbyists and experts in the industry.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

What is Jar Tech for rosin?
Jar Tech refers to the method of sealing fresh rosin in a glass container for curing. 

What are the benefits of Jar Tech?
Jar Tech creates an environment for rosin to cure, which improves flavor and allows for changes in consistency. For example, curing with Jar Tech can turn a sap-like consistency into a badder consistency in rosin. 

What do you need for Jar Tech?
The only equipment you need for Jar Tech is an air-tight glass container and fresh rosin.

What is cold curing?
Cold curing is a form of Jar Tech where the rosin is placed in a cool environment. Room temperature will suffice for cold curing, although refrigerators or wine coolers can also be used. Read more in our article Cold Curing vs Warm Curing Rosin. 

What is warm curing?
Warm curing rosin is a form of Jar Tech that occurs in temperatures from around 90 to 135 degrees Fahrenheit. Heat expedites the degradation of both terpenes and cannabinoids in rosin, but it can also transform rosin into some truly incredible textures and flavor profiles. Read more in our article Cold Curing vs Warm Curing Rosin.