A Guide to Buying The Best Dabs

Concentrate connoisseurs can immediately tell the difference between a high-quality dab and a low-quality one. Novice users, however, may lack experience with concentrates to know what the best dab is for them. If you’re looking to buy the best dabs within your budget, check out our guide on buying the highest-quality dabs.

Choose potency based on your experience and tolerance

In order to buy high-grade dabs, you must first consider your tolerance level and frequency of use. New users can start off with CBD isolates such as CBDA crystals or a low or THC-free dab and build up to their desired effects. A gram of concentrate can last novice users a couple of weeks or more depending on the dose size and frequency of use.

What’s your budget?

Flower consumers will notice a steeper price per gram for cannabis concentrates. The reason for this is that concentrates have a significantly higher percentage of cannabinoids, terpenes and flavonoids. Prices vary by product and market. Concentrates can range from $25 to $70, or even higher for some dabs.

What to look for when buying dabs

Aroma

Cannabis flower is known for its pungent aroma that can feature citrus, diesel, earthy, floral or fruity notes. Dabs can retain a considerable amount of cannabis’ aromatic terpene compounds, albeit some extraction methods can degrade terpene concentrations more than others. If you’re going for the most complex-smelling concentrates, go for high-terpene full-spectrum extracts (HTFSE) such as terp sauce or the less refined live resin, which isn’t technically a HTFSE. Most extracts, however, retain the strain’s original array of smells.

Texture

Depending on extraction and post-processing methods, extracts can come in a range of consistencies and textures. Some of the most popular options include the hard and glass-like shatter or wax extracts. If you’re looking for something a bit softer, turn to budder, crumble or cannabis oil. Some concentrates such as terp sauce have a mix of cannabinoid crystal formations and liquid terpene sauce. Some are easier to work with, but you can always use handy dabbers made for different dab textures.

Looks

They say you shouldn’t judge a book by its cover, but concentrate consumers should definitely base their purchasing decisions on key characteristics of concentrate color and look. For example, premium shatter should have a translucent amber hue, not be dark and soft. Pull ‘n’ snap should have a glossy sheen and pliable consistency, not look flat and be hard. Steer clear of irregular colors or dubious consistencies.

Flavor

Flavor is a key factor when choosing the best type of concentrate to dab. Concentrates may look good on the outside, but can vary in taste depending on the concentrate type. Always ensure you buy cannabis concentrates from a reputable and licensed dispensary or delivery service. Furthermore, ensure the product has been lab-tested for potency and purity. Some brands may opt for terpene testing, which can tell you where the strain’s smells come from. A concentrate’s flavor can also be affected by the type of extraction performed to reap the resin.

Ultimately, it’s up to you on which brands, strains and flavors you like. Everyone has different tastes when it comes to concentrate type and quality. Experienced users may have more expensive taste and purchase the top-of-the-line HTFSE, while novice users may dabble with cannabis oil, shatter and vape pens with distillate oil. As a concentrate consumer, make sure to go through the considerations listed above for a personalized and safe experience.

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What are your concentrate shopping tips? Do you have any favorite products? We’d love to know in the comments section below.