Kief is a sticky substance that accumulates around the tops of the flowering cannabis plant. It has a high cannabinoid content and is prized for the intense buzz it produces. In this post, we’ll learn all about kief- we’ll look at how you can gather and use the crystals safely and answer some burning questions.
What is Kief?
To understand what kief is, we must first learn more about the structure of marijuana. Or, to be more specific, the structure of the cannabis trichomes within it. Trichomes are small, resinous glands that appear on the surface of the leaves and buds as the plant ages- they look like tiny hairs with bulbous heads at the tips.
Trichomes emit a sticky substance that protects the plant by deterring fungi and bacteria and preventing insects from munching on the leaves. Ironically enough, if you smoke kief powder, you’re bound to get the munchies yourself due to its high concentration of cannabinoids.
Kief powder is made up of the sticky, resinous substances that the trichome glands secrete.
As it dries, it crystallizes, forming a protective layer. During harvest, growers remove that layer, and possibly some of the trichomes along with it.
- Did you know: The word kief means “pleasure” in Arabic
What’s left is a highly concentrated substance worthy of its name. While not as potent as wax or shatter, it packs a bigger punch than the weed flower.
The crystals have a magical look to them. They shimmer in the light and look like a fine powder. You’ll find them under the name of “pollen” or “dry shift,” too.
A top-quality batch of kief will be blonde or tan in colour- it won’t have any green tinge to it and will smell potent.
If you see a distinctive green tint, you’re getting a low-end version. The green comes from plant matter and indicates that the sample was contaminated. It’ll give you a buzz, but not much else.
How to Collect Kief
Are you interested in seeing the effects of kief for yourself? Then you’ll probably want to know how to make it. Or, to put it more accurately, how to collect it. For this, you’ll need to use either a grinder or a screen.
Three-chamber Grinder
Using a three-chamber grinder is the simplest method. The holes in the sieve of a three-chamber grinder are just big enough to allow the kief to slip through while leaving the botanical material behind.
- Tip: If you can’t find a three-chamber grinder, use one with a single chamber instead. The crystals will stick to the sides of the chamber. You’ll then need to scrape them off.
Screen Method
The grinder method is tedious if you’ve got plenty of cannabis to process, in which case it’s better to use a screen instead. A silk-printing screen is the best option and is relatively inexpensive. Look for screens with a line rating of between 80 and 270 LPI.
You’ll use a series of screens on top of one another. Each should have smaller holes than the one above it. Place the screens over a container large enough to catch anything that falls through.
Start by grinding the raw material, then put the ground material onto the top screen. Use an old credit card as a squeegee to shift the grounds around. The smaller particles will fall through. You may then repeat the process with the next screen to get all of the kief.
What do I do with Kief?
Your next question must be, “What can I do with all this kief?” The answer is that there are many things to do with it. Here are some of our favourites.
Smoking Kief
You’ll need a glass pipe or bong to smoke it. Given how fine it is, it might fall into the bowl when you breathe in. That’s why most people add the kief to marijuana buds if they’re smoking it. Just grind the buds up, then smoke or vape as usual. Alternatively, sprinkle it into your blunt or joint before you roll it. (Similar to how you smoke hash)
For something a little more creative, roll your joint as usual. Then wet the outside a little and roll it in the kief. Now sit back and enjoy your “tarantula” joint.
Give Your Coffee a Kick
A novel way to enjoy the rush is by adding it to your coffee. Just sprinkle some of the powder into the coffee and stir it. Sip slowly. The effect takes a while to hit you but lasts longer. If you’re not a coffee fan, add it to any warm beverage you like.
Kief Butter
There’s nothing like cannabutter to add some oomph to your baking. Make the butter extra special by adding kief. Use your more potent cannabutter to make brownies, cookies, or even bulletproof coffee.
Moonrocks
Moonrocks will make you feel as though you can reach out and touch the moon. They’re easy to make if you have high-quality ingredients. Heat your cannabis oil and use it to coat the buds. Sprinkle with kief while still warm. Set aside on parchment paper and let harden.
When ready, crush by hand rather than with a grinder. Add the resulting bits to a bowl and smoke.
Press Rosin
Rosin is an increasingly popular choice for the cannabis connoisseur. Rosin is known for being extracted without harsh solvents like butane or propane and preserving those precious cannabinoids. Most people use the buds, but kief provides better quality and strength, as well as larger yields.
All you need is a hair straightener, some parchment paper, and a vice for the at-home method. Google the different options—you’ll find it’s easy to get right. Should you want a more professional solution, you’ll need to look into high-pressure presses.
Make Hash
Hash is a solid block of kief. It’s useful for storage, though not everyone appreciates the flavour of hash. Our “How to Make Hash” post covers the process in a lot more detail.
Put simply, you take a piece of parchment paper and fold it in half before adding the crystals, trying to keep them in one area. You then use a flat iron or clothing iron to apply heat. The heat fuses the crystals, leaving you with hash. It may take a bit of practice not to burn the paper or hash, so start with a small test lot.
The heat and pressure cause the glands to burst, so the resulting substance is stickier and darker. This makes for some excellent instant hash.
How to Decarb Kief Properly
If you want to make edibles, you’ll need to learn how to decarb kief first. You should also take these steps before making a tincture. This is a simple process that requires nothing more than an oven and a little time.
Photo courtesy of Wikileaf
What does Decarb Mean?
Decarboxylation, to use the full term, is the conversion of THCA to THC using heat. This process is essential if you want to feel psychoactive effects when consuming edibles because it activates the THC.
Step 1
Preheat the oven to 250°F and place a rack in the middle.
Step 2
Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and evenly spread the kief across it. Be sure to crumble any big pieces.
Step 3
Bake for around 25 to 30 minutes. It’ll be ready when it gives off a nutty smell and becomes darker. Watch it carefully and pull it out as soon as you get a whiff of that nutty aroma. If you overcook it, you’ll still get high but will also feel very sleepy.
If you’d rather not risk it, consider setting the oven to 220°F instead. At this lower temperature, you’ll need to cook it for around 45 minutes. It’s still important to keep an eye on it to avoid over-browning.
Oven temperatures differ between makes. Every oven has its quirks with hotspots and cold spots.
Experiment with small batches until you get a feel for your oven. With practice, you’ll learn which temperature to choose and how to layer for the best results.
Kief FAQ
What are the Benefits of Kief?
Aside from the high, kief has health benefits. In “7 Benefits and Uses of CBD Oil,” we cover the health benefits of CBD oil in particular. Kief also incorporates THC, and so offers excellent pain relief and intense relaxation.
Is Kief Stronger than Bud?
Yes. Buds contain just 12% to 25% of THC. Kief may contain upwards of 70%. You don’t need to smoke nearly as much, and you don’t have to worry about all the extra plant material.
Is Kief Dangerous?
Not if taken in moderation, but if you go overboard, beware of intense intoxication where you might not think rationally.
There are precautions one can take.
- Tip: There are precautions one can take. Don’t drive while high and stay somewhere safe with people you know and trust to make the experience better for all.
Is Kief an Indica or a Sativa?
It’s a bit of both. It’s a hybrid of the Brazilian Sativa landrace and the South Indian Indica.
How Long does Kief Keep?
That depends on your self-control. As long as you store it in an airtight container out of direct sunlight, it should last for years. For the best results, store it in the freezer.
Featured image courtesy of Weedmaps.
