Not all cannabis strains were created equally when it comes to solventless rosin, and at the end of the day, some just press better than others. Obviously, how well a particular strain was cultivated will always play the biggest role in rosin quality and yield. However, with all things being equal in terms of cultivation quality, some strains do stand out above the rest when it comes to pressing time.
Furthermore, even among the best rosin strains, some tend to be more forgiving in the press, and hence easier for beginners. Conversely, other strains require more diligence and skill on the rosin makers part for a successful pressing. Let’s take a look at three suitable strains for a beginner, intermediate, and advanced rosin maker to try out.
Beginner Strain: GG4
This resin buster, more commonly known as Gorilla Glue #4, is one of the best strains for beginner rosin makers to get to grips with thanks to its insane trichome count. Named after a popular brand of super glue because of the ridiculously glue-like resin it produces when trimmed, GG4 is a fantastically forgiving flower, and presses well without the need for strict time and temperature settings.
GG4 is also a well-balanced strain that produces a good head and body high, an excellent aroma, and represents a good all-rounder. If you are new to the rosin game then check out our First Time Rosin Presser: 3 Forgiving Strains for Beginners to see a couple of other easy strains to get started with.
Intermediate Strain: Papaya
Papaya is a fruity number with a short flowering time and a huge trichome count, which is why it’s been extensively cross bred into a multitude of other strains. It’s also what makes it, and its extended family, perfect for rosin making.
Nevertheless, what makes this strain more challenging to press with is its distinctive mango fruit flavors. Squeezing oil out of cannabis is one thing, but capturing the unique essence of a particular strain at the same time is much more difficult. Therefore, a good pressing with papaya will require more precise time, temperature, and pressure settings to be applied, along with a more diligent approach all around from the rosin maker themselves.
Advanced Strain: Platinum GSC
If you’re looking to take things a little further, then why not take a look at Platinum GSC. When it comes to capturing delicately unique terpene profiles, strains like Platinum GSC represent a stern test even for experienced rosineers. The reason lies with the terpene b-caryophyllene, a terp that produces peppery and fall spice like aromas.
Yet, the tricky part is b-caryophyllen’s significantly lower boiling point than most other terpenes found in cannabis, making it one of the most volatile. And so the rosin pressing process can quite easily destroy delicate terpenes like these if higher temperature ranges are used. In order to capture those spicy notes, you’re going to need to press at lower temps.
That might not sound too hard, but doing that all why maintaining good yields and quality at the same time is a very difficult thing to achieve. It requires real skill on the rosin makers part to press a strain like platinum GSC successfully, capturing its delicate terpene profile fully in rosin is a challenge for the best of us, and so that much more desirable.
But, these three strains are just a starting point! Let us know you’re smoothest and most challenging strains to press with.
I was just wondering a good strain source. Very useful info. With more terpenes and trying to preserve them during pressing would it make a difference by also dropping quantity to press at a time? Lower temp, lower quantity.