Kief in a small, clear, circular jar

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 Store Kief?
  • Answering FAQs About Kief

What is Kief?

Kief is more than just the remnants of your cannabis. It's the fine, powdery trichomes that cover the surface of the plant's flowers and leaves. These trichomes contain the precious cannabinoids and terpenes responsible for the effects and flavors of different cannabis strains. Kief is essentially the concentrated essence of cannabis, often collected from the bottom of a grinder or through various extraction methods.

How Strong is Kief?

The potency of kief is a significant factor in its appeal: it's considerably stronger than the average marijuana flower, with a THC content that can range up to 70%. This means that even a small amount of kief can deliver powerful and fast-acting effects, making it a favorite among cannabis enthusiasts looking for a more potent experience.

What are the Benefits of Kief?

Beyond its potency, kief offers a range of benefits. It's versatile and can be used in various ways, from enhancing the potency of your joints or bowls to creating potent edibles like cannabis tea. Kief also provides an excellent option for those looking to conserve their cannabis supply while achieving the desired effects.

How Do You Collect Kief?

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:

Kief Catcher

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.

Kief Box

A kief box is a specialized container with multiple chambers that allows you to separate kief from the plant material. By gently shaking the box, the trichomes (kief) fall through a mesh screen into a separate compartment, leaving you with a concentrated product.

Micron or Silk Screen

Using a micron or silkscreen is another effective method to sift kief from the cannabis plant material. By gently agitating the plant material over the screen, the kief falls through while the plant matter remains on top. These screens come in various sizes, with smaller microns only allowing those precious trichomes to fall through.

Kief Coin

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

Each of these methods offers its unique advantages for collecting kief, so you can choose the one that best suits your needs and equipment.

How Do You Use Kief?

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. 

  • 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.

  • Create hash. Hash is simply kief that has been heated, pressurized, 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.

  • 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 enjoying it is only limited by your imagination.

How Do You Store Kief?

When you’re not trying to make your own edibles, top your flower, or find new ways to enjoy your kief, proper storage of kief is essential to preserve its potency and flavor. To keep your kief fresh, store it in an airtight container, away from light, heat, and humidity. This will help maintain its quality and ensure it’s always ready to enhance your cannabis experience.

Answering Kief FAQs

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 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 definitely not have kief.

 

Can you dab kief?
Yes, you can dab kief, but you’re going to want the purest of the pure kief, typically referred to as the 99% sift. Because dabbing involves vaporizing concentrated cannabis products, you want to have the highest quality, cleanest kief available. This means you’re likely looking at purchasing your kief rather than collecting it.

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.

Learning More About Kief

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


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.