The Difference Between Low-Cost and High-Cost Grams of Concentrate

We live in a world filled with options. You can walk into our Spokane weed store or Bellingham pot shop and leave with good products that didn’t cost you your whole paycheck. Or you can buy some really quality stuff that reaches the next level. It all comes down to preference and of course, budget. One thing we get asked a lot is about the prices of our concentrates. Why are some so expensive while others are significantly cheaper? What’s the difference between a $30 gram and a $90 gram of concentrate?

December 1, 2023

As a general rule, the more expensive the product, the higher the quality. Of course, there are always some exceptions to this rule and you can often get some really nice quality concentrates for a great price. Still, the higher price point you go to, typically the better the products will be. Let’s see why.

Cheaper vs expensive concentrates: Taste

One of the most notable differences between concentrates at different price points is the taste. Typically, higher priced concentrates have a better taste because they reflect a higher quality. Nicer quality extracts will reflect the flavor of the cannabis they come from, rather than the chemicals used to extract the cannabis or any other unnatural tasting flavor.

Why? Higher quality cannabis concentrates are typically extracted without solvents, so there are no chances for residue to linger. Other high-quality concentrates may still use solvents, but they will have done a thorough job of removing all residues.

That’s not to say concentrates on the cheaper end contain solvents or other impurities. In fact, they never should. They are tested to ensure that they’re removed.

Still, the higher the price, the higher the likelihood that the cannabis compounds have been extracted with state-of-the-art technology to harness more of its natural, delicious flavor and terpenes.

Cheaper vs expensive concentrates: Appearance

While you can’t always rely on appearance to tell you the quality of a concentrate, it is often referred to as a way to differentiate between the good and the bad. Sometimes concentrates just naturally have a distinct color, but there are general rules you can follow, and you’ll notice these rules correlate closely with the price of the concentrate.

As a general rule, you’ll want concentrates like shatter to have a translucent appearance and an amber hue. If it looks super dark, that can be a sign of lower quality. You may notice more irregular colors or consistencies with lower priced concentrates as well.

The big difference between a cheap and more expensive gram of concentrate

While taste and appearance are definitely tell-tale ways to differentiate between cheaper and more expensive concentrates, there’s always more to the story. You can use these as general guides, but it’s also important to do your own research and look deeper into the company you’re looking at. In some cases, concentrate makers just offer really great deals and you can get a high quality concentrate for $30 or less per gram. On the other hand, some concentrates may just sit at a higher price point because that’s what they’re selling at, and it may not have a lot to do with differences in quality.

The big difference between a cheap and more expensive gram of concentrate is the concentrate itself. In general, concentrates like wax and shatter sell at lower price points than live resin, rosin, or other extracts.

Why? Well, it’s just more labor intensive and costly to create live resin, which involves special harvesting techniques to really capture the flavor, aroma, and quality of the cannabis itself. You get what you pay for, and you’ll definitely notice the difference when you compare the two.

Is one type of concentrate better than the other? It all comes down to your individual needs, budget, and preferences. Cannabis connoisseurs may debate this topic for eternity, but we don’t think one is better than the other because they serve different purposes.

Tips for identifying quality concentrates

We hope this blog has helped clear up questions you may have had about the different price points used for cannabis concentrates. And while we offered a lot of general rules, know that there are always some exceptions and great deals to be found. Here are some tips so you can identify quality concentrates on your own:

Look at the consistency: Is it even throughout? Does it look clean and free of impurities? If the consistency is not, well, consistent, you’re going to want to look for a different concentrate.

Taste: The more flavor, the better. Higher quality concentrates will taste closer to the plant itself. If you notice that your concentrates taste really, really good, you have a very high-quality product on hand.

Aroma: Your concentrates should give off a pleasant, true-to-the-plant aroma reflective of a pleasant flavor. The concentrate should never smell like chemicals.

The problem with some of these identifying tips is that, at least in Washington, you can’t open your package and smell it before making a purchase. That’s why we’re proud to have such great, knowledgeable budtenders at our Washington dispensary locations. They can show you the product while providing you with the knowledge they have, such as how it smells and tastes, to better inform your purchase.

Want to stock up on concentrate? Visit Piece of Mind Cannabis

Whether you’re looking for high quality concentrates, tasty flower, discreet vapes, or anything in between, we’ve got you covered here at Piece of Mind Cannabis.

Piece of Mind Cannabis is a medical marijuana and recreational Cannabis dispensary with locations in North Spokane, South Spokane, Bellingham, and Pullman, Washington.