What is Budder, a Cannabis Concentrate?
Cannabis concentrates come in all different forms, and budder is one of them! Budder is a favorite of cannabis enthusiasts because of its rich flavors and aromas and high THC potency. In this guide, we’ll answer some of the most common questions we get, including:
- What is Budder?
- How is Budder Made?
- How is Budder Different From Other Concentrates?
- How Do You Consume Budder?
- How Do You Store Budder?
- FAQs About Budder
What is Budder?
Budder is a cannabis concentrate with a consistency like cake frosting. It’s neither solid nor liquid–think thicker than peanut butter with a somewhat waxy texture.1 Budder is popular for a variety of reasons, including that it can be extremely high in THC (between 80-90%2), but most importantly, it retains many of the terpenes found in marijuana.2 This means that it still has the delicious flavors and aromas that you would associate with premium, top-shelf flower. Budder is generally considered the most flavorful of concentrates by cannabis connoisseurs.2
How is Budder Made?
Budder is made using a solvent, like butane or CO2, to extract the cannabinoids from the marijuana flower. The solvent is blasted through the cannabis, the extract is collected, and the solvent is purged from the extract using a combination of heat and air pressure. The extract, during this process, is also agitated. Eventually, the cannabinoids start to crystallize, and this is what we call budder.2
Because of how budder is made, it is also considered clean. There are even some tests that rate budder with a purity level of over 99%.2 This is likely because budder doesn’t contain solvents, toxins, mold, metals, or other factors that could affect its cleanliness. A clean cannabis concentrate leads to a more pleasant experience when consuming it—you only taste the cannabis’s unique terpene profile (provided the tools you use are also clean).
How is Budder Different From Other Concentrates?
Choosing a cannabis concentrate can be tricky, especially if you’re just starting to explore these products. Here’s how budder compares to some of the most common extracts you’ll find at your local dispensary.
Budder vs Batter
In general, there isn’t a lot of difference between budder and batter (or badder), outside of the consistency of both concentrates. While budder tends to be more like whipped wax, smooth and thick, batter is a little wetter and lumpier.
Budder vs Shatter
Budder and shatter are made the same way: A solvent is pushed through the cannabis, forcing out all the cannabinoids and terpenes so the plant material can be discarded. Where they are different is that shatter is then allowed to lay smooth and harden, creating the glass-like shape it’s known for. Budder, on the other hand, is agitated, and this process creates the waxy consistency we love.
Budders vs Crumble
At a glance, some cannabis newbies confuse budder with crumble, but there’s no confusing the actual texture of the two products. Crumble is dry and powdery, and budder is thick and moist.
How Do You Consume Budder?
In addition to topping a cone or bowl already packed with ground cannabis, budder can be enjoyed in a variety of ways. Ultimately, the best way to consume budder is going to be the way that you prefer it, but here are a few ways cannabis enthusiasts prefer to experience their budder:
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Dab: This method is easily the most popular way to consume concentrates in general, but especially budder. You do need to have a dab rig and dab tool. You scoop up a bit of the budder and place it on the nail. Heat the budder and consume.
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Vape: There are a variety of vaporizers available on the market to purchase, some more sophisticated than others. The process is similar to dabbing but can be a little easier because of the tool itself. You load the budder into the vaporizer and, when the budder is heated (around 300 degrees2), it will turn into a vapor that you can inhale.
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Top Your Flower: While bongs are typically the most preferred pipe to use to smoke concentrates like budder, you can use just about any type of pipe. You place the budder on the bowl and light it. As the budder vaporizes, you can inhale it. Just a note: marijuana flower is easier to light than budder because budder has a higher melting point. Be sure to take your time and be patient.
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Infuse Your Pre-Rolls: Some people like to add concentrates like budder to their pre-rolls, turning them into infused joints. It can be just a dip of the tip into some concentrate, or something a little fancier, like a little spiral around the end of the pre-roll. Just don’t add too much because the moisture in the budder can make the rolling paper a little soggy.
How Do You Store Budder?
Storing concentrates like budder properly is the single most important thing you can do to preserve the cannabinoids and terpenes in it. We recommend three things: put your budder in a sealed glass jar when you’re not consuming it, keep it away from heat, and keep it away from light. The back of a cabinet can be a great option, as long as you label it properly.
FAQs About Budder
Because it’s one of the most popular concentrates on the market, we get a lot of questions about budder. Here are just a few of the answers:
What’s the difference between shatter vs budder?
While both shatter and budder are made using a solvent-based extraction process, shatter is allowed to settle in order to form the glass-like consistency it’s known for. Budder, on the other hand, is whipped to create its waxy form.
What’s the difference between budder vs cannabutter?
While these two products seem like they should be the same thing, they are very different. Budder is a solvent-based cannabis concentrate made with chemicals, heat, pressure, and agitation. Cannabutter is a cannabis cooking ingredient that can be made at home on your stove or with a slow cooker. (It can also be purchased from a dispensary.) Once finished cooking, you strain the plant material from the cannabutter, let it sit and settle, and use it as you prefer in the kitchen.
Can you make your own budder concentrate?
No. To make budder, the process requires flammable solvents to be forced through the cannabis. This process is highly volatile and requires special equipment.
Do you need a dab rig for budder?
Nope! While many cannabis enthusiasts enjoy dabbing their budder, there are other ways to consume the popular concentrate, including adding them to pre-rolls, pipes, and certain types of vapes.
Purchasing THC Budder
There’s a reason budder is popular among both new cannabis enthusiasts and seasoned marijuana connoisseurs—it’s a clean, great-tasting cannabis concentrate that can be consumed in a variety of ways, allowing you to choose your favorite way to experience it. If you’re ready to give budder a try, head down to your local dispensary and be sure to talk to one of our budtenders. They can point you to some of their favorite budders and help you find the tools you need to consume it.
Sources:
1. “What Is Budder Weed?,” High Times, https://hightimes.com/guides/what-is-budder-weed/
2. “What is Budder? [All You Need to Know],” MarijuanaBreak, https://marijuanabreak.com/cannabis/lifestyle/products/what-is-budder/
Recreational cannabis is not available in all states. Cannabis is for medical use only and may only be used by certified patients in Pennsylvania. State laws impact what dispensaries can and can’t sell to recreational customers and certified patients. Not every type of product, consumption method, dosage form, or potency mentioned on this blog will be permitted in all locations.