What is Kief & What Can You Do With It?

If you've ever wondered about that powdery substance found in your grinder or at the bottom of your cannabis jar, you're not alone. Kief, as it's commonly known, is a treasure trove of concentrated cannabis goodness waiting to be enjoyed.

In this comprehensive guide, we’ll cover everything you’ve ever wanted to know about kief, including:

• What is Kief?
• How Strong is Kief?
• What are the Benefits of Kief?
• How Do You Collect Kief?
• How Do You Use Kief?
• How Do You Buy Kief?
• Answering FAQs About Kief

Kief

Also keef, keif

A powdery substance of the tiny trichomes collected by sifting cannabis flowers and leaves. Kief can be pressed into hash, used in food, or sprinkled on top of flower.

Kief is a fine, powdery substance made up of dried trichomes that have fallen off cannabis flower.¹ Trichomes produce the terpenes and cannabinoids that give marijuana its desired effects. 

Up close, each individual trichome resembles a long-stalked mushroom with a small, bulbous head. Its color typically starts as clear and turns milky or amber as cannabis flowers become ready to harvest.² Once the flower has been dried and harvested, trichomes that are separated from the plant, through grinding or sifting for example, become kief. 

Canna-lovers desire marijuana kief for its high concentration of CBD, THC, and other cannabinoids that produce marijuana’s desired effects. It’s also rich in the terpenes that give cannabis strains their unique flavor and aroma. 

Being a highly versatile product, you can consume kief by itself or sprinkle it on flower to enhance your joint’s potency. You may also find it sold under other names, such as keef, pollen, sift, or dust.

Kief offers several benefits that make it a superb product for a satisfying cannabis experience. The biggest of these benefits include:

• Potency: Kief is rich in terpenes and cannabinoids, with THC levels reaching as high as 80% in some products. Its robust terpene and cannabinoid profile increases your likelihood of experiencing the entourage effect.⁴
  
  
• Cost-Effective: With kief, you get more bang for your buck because you need only a small amount to experience the desired effects. 
  
  
• Versatility: There are several ways to enjoy kief, including sprinkling it on cannabis flower in a joint or bowl, or making cannabis-infused teas, oils, tinctures, and beverages.⁵ 
  
  

Better Smelling and Tasting Bowls: If you enjoy cannabis with a more pronounced flavor, simply sprinkle kief on your flower to enhance its scent and taste.

Collecting kief is an art, and there are several methods to consider, depending on your equipment and preferences. Here are some common ways to gather kief from cannabis:

Many grinders come equipped with a kief catcher, a specialized compartment designed to accumulate kief as you grind your cannabis. Over time, this catcher can accumulate a considerable amount of kief, which you can then access for various uses.

The fineness and amount of kief you’ll get from a catcher will depend on the specific device you own. For instance, compared to two and three-chamber grinders, four-chamber kief grinders may catch more kief because they offer a finer grind.

Here’s how to use a kief catcher:

1. Place your flower in the topmost chamber of the grinder.
   
   
2. Twist the grinder to break down the flower and release the trichomes.
   
   
3. The grinder will sift the cannabis, keeping the ground flower in the upper chamber(s) and passing the fine kief to the lower chamber.
   
   
4. Gather the kief from the lower chamber and use it as you desire.
   
   

If you use this method, you’ll need to grind a lot of flower to collect a substantial amount of kief. But if you’re just planning to sprinkle a little bit of kief on your bowls or joints, kief catchers will get the job done.

If you need a lot of kief quickly, a kief box or screen may be the better option.

A kief box, also called a pollen sifter or pollen box, is a specialized container with multiple chambers and mesh screens for separating kief from the plant material.⁷ 

Here’s how to use a kief box: 

1. Grind your cannabis flower and place it in the kief box’s topmost compartment.
   
   
2. Close the box and gently shake it for two to five minutes to release the kief and sift it through the mesh screen.
   
   
3. Open the lower compartment to collect and use the kief that passed through the mesh screen.

Kief boxes can process a good amount of flower at once, which makes them ideal for people who want to collect it faster.

Using a micron or silkscreen is another effective method for sifting kief from cannabis plant material.⁸ The screen’s mesh material has fine openings that separate and filter trichomes from cannabis flowers.

Here’s how to harvest kief using a micron screen:

1. Stretch the micron screen over a clean receptacle for collecting the kief.
   
   
2. Grind the cannabis flower and spread the crumbled pieces evenly across your screen.
   
   
3. Gently agitate or rub the crumbled cannabis over the screen to release the trichomes and sift them through the mesh.
   
   
4. Gather the sifted kief from under the screen.
   
   

Ideally, you should use a 100 to 150-micron screen. The smaller the screen's microns, the finer the collected kief will be. Since micron screens can be large enough to process a lot of flower at once, they are also perfect for collecting large amounts quickly.

A kief coin or grinder coin is simply a coin (or coin-like object) that you place in your grinder.⁹ As you grind your cannabis, the coin helps dislodge trichomes from the plant material, so they accumulate more efficiently in the kief catcher. 

You can buy a kief coin at most cannabis shops and dispensaries, or save money by turning your pocket change into kief coins. Simply grab a nickel or dime and sterilize it before placing it in your grinder. Sanitizing the coin before use will prevent harmful bacteria and contaminants from fouling your cannabis.

Once your coin is clean, follow these steps to make kief with it:

1. Place the coin in your grinder’s lower chamber—the kief-catching chamber. If you have a multi-chamber grinder, place the coin in the chamber above the kief-catcher screen.
   
   
2. Put your cannabis flower in the grinding chamber and twist to grind.
   
   
3. Shake the grinder gently so the coin knocks loose any kief trapped in the mesh screen and other parts of the grinder.
   
   
4. Open the kief-catching chamber and collect the accumulated kief.
   
   

Using kief coins is best for minimizing waste and getting more kief out of your grinder.

Kief isn’t typically consumed by itself. In fact, most cannabis consumers add kief to a cannabis product, like flower or concentrates, rather than enjoying it on its own. Here are more ways you can enjoy kief by itself or mixed with other cannabis products.

• Add it to your pipe. The slang phrase “crowning a bowl” is one frequently used by experienced cannabis consumers. It simply requires sprinkling kief on the cannabis in your glass pipe.
    
• Roll it into your cannabis “joint.” If you tend to roll your own product, you can add a pinch of kief before closing the roll. There are also some people who will dampen the outside tip of the joint and roll it in kief.
  
  
• Vape kief out of a dry herb vaporizer: If you prefer vaping to smoking, you can vape kief with a dry herb vaporizer. Unlike regular vaporizers that use vape cartridges, a dry herb vaporizer heats kief to release vapor without burning. The vapor from the device will pack a cannabinoid and terpene punch for a potent and flavorful experience.
  
  
• Create hash. Hash is simply kief that has been sifted, compressed, and rolled into a soft ball or pressed into a brick. Experienced consumers can do this themselves, and you can also purchase hash in some states from licensed dispensaries. Hash and kief can be enjoyed in many of the same ways, such as smoking, vaping, or making edibles. However, while you can dab hash, you can’t dab kief.
  
  
• Coat your flower bud. Marijuana flower that has been rolled in kief is referred to (in slang terms) as moonrocks. The process of creating these is fairly easy. Simply heat cannabis oil, coat your flower, roll it in kief, and let it dry. Then, break the bud apart for smoking or vaping.
  
  
• Create your own cannabutter. Cannabutter is butter infused with cannabis flower, oil, or other concentrates like kief. You can make your own at home, and if you do, be sure to try these DIY marijuana brownies. They’re a delicious way to consume your kief.  
  
  

The best part about kief is there are so many ways to enjoy it, but we don’t recommend dabbing it. Kief’s powdery consistency can cause it to burn unevenly and even clog your dab rig.

When you’re not trying to make your own edibles, top your flower, or find new ways to enjoy your kief, proper storage is essential for preserving its potency and flavor. To keep your kief fresh for as long as possible, store it in an airtight container away from light, heat, and humidity. This will help maintain its quality and potency for longer. 

The best types of containers for storing kief long-term and preventing potency and flavor loss are:

• Glass Jars: A clean, airtight glass jar, such as a mason jar, prevents moisture loss and contamination. Also, since glass isn’t porous, it won’t retain smells or flavors that may contaminate your stored kief.
  
  
• Silicone Containers: Airtight silicone containers are non-stick, so getting every last grain of kief out is easy. Also, unlike glass jars, you don’t have to worry about silicone containers breaking.
  
  
• Food-Grade Plastic Containers: Plastic containers, such as Tupperware containers, are the most affordable option for storing kief. However, these containers are better suited for short-term kief storage. 

You can also find specialized kief storage units, such as electric humidity-controlled and vacuum-sealed containers.¹⁰ Keep in mind that after 12 months of storage, kief may start losing its potency and flavor due to drying out and cannabinoid degradation.¹¹

We’re always answering questions about kief. From its legality to its potential for dabbing and hash-making, we've got you covered.

Is kief more potent than regular cannabis flower?

Yes, kief is more potent than cannabis flower because it has a higher concentration of THC and other cannabinoids. Its higher potency means you don’t need a lot of kief to feel its desired effects.

Can you smoke kief by itself?

Yes, you can smoke kief by itself. However, mixing kief with flower in a joint or pipe can provide a more pleasant smoking experience with a slower and more even burn.

How long does kief stay fresh?

Kief can stay fresh and retain its potency for six to 12 months, depending on how it is stored. One of the best ways to store kief is in a clean, airtight glass jar placed in a cool, dark area.

What's the difference between kief and hash?

Kief consists of trichomes harvested from the body of a cannabis flower. It’s powdery and highly potent due to its high cannabinoid and terpene content. Hash, on the other hand, is a derivative of kief made by compressing it into solid bricks or balls.

Can I make kief at home?

Sure, you can make kief at home if you have trichome-rich flowers. You can do it with a kief catcher, micron screen, or kief box that separates trichomes from cannabis plant material.

What should I look for when buying kief from a dispensary?

Before buying kief from a dispensary, ask about its freshness, as kief over six months old may be less potent. Also, inquire about the strain of the cannabis the kief came from so you can anticipate its effects. Lastly, the kief should have a fine, powdery consistency, no off smells, and third-party lab test results that verify its purity.

What does a gram of kief look like?

A gram of kief is roughly half a teaspoon, which is usually enough for a single use. Some dispensaries also sell kief in ounces, with an ounce being about 28.35 grams.

Is kief illegal?

The legality of kief varies depending on your location and local cannabis laws. In regions where recreational or medical marijuana use is legal, kief is typically considered legal for personal consumption. If cannabis hasn’t been legalized in your area, you should not have kief.

Can you dab kief?

Technically, you can dab kief, but you might not enjoy the experience. Dabbing kief is challenging because its powdery consistency can lead to uneven burning and clogging in dab rigs. If you insist on dabbing, use hash instead of powdery kief. Since it’s a solid concentrate, hash can vaporize more easily in dab rigs without clogging issues.

How do you make hash from kief?

It might surprise some canna-newbies, but there are differences between kief and hash. Hash, often referred to as hashish, is a concentrated cannabis product made from kief. There are various methods to create hash from kief, including the dry sift and ice water extraction processes. These methods involve using screens (either dry or with ice water) to separate the trichomes (kief) from the plant material. The specific technique you choose will depend on your preference and available equipment.

Ready to Try Kief?

Whether you're a seasoned cannabis enthusiast or a curious newcomer, kief offers an opportunity to elevate your cannabis experience. Enjoy it on an infused pre-roll, create potent edibles, or experiment with hash making.

However, you’ll only experience kief’s true potential if you buy it from a reputable source, like a Verilife dispensary. If you’re ready to try kief or harvest some from your favorite cannabis flower, find a dispensary near you today where our budtenders will be happy to assist you.