How to Store Concentrates for Optimal Freshness

Cannabis concentrates offer a potent and flavorful experience, but as with any fine product, knowing how to store concentrates correctly is key. Just as the delicate notes of a gourmet coffee bean can fade over time, concentrates can lose their potency and rich flavor and aroma profile if not cared for properly.

Properly storing concentrates means minimizing their exposure to light, heat, and air—the three factors that cause cannabinoids and terpenes to degrade. This knowledge, coupled with the right storage containers, will ensure your concentrates are still bursting with flavor and potency whenever you or your customers reach for them.

Best Containers for Concentrates

Airtight containers will protect your cannabis concentrates from some of the environmental factors that impact their freshness and potency. The following containers can be used for concentrate and dab storage:

POP VAC Jars

POP VAC jars are the perfect storage solution for premium cannabis concentrates because they ensure these concentrates stay good longer on the shelves, preserving their original essence. They are also beloved by consumers for the same reason—they take their concentrate home and it stays great.

POP VAC’s innovative design means these jars create a vacuum seal every time the consumer closes the lid. You can even hear them pop! This vacuum seal makes these jars the best option for protecting concentrates against harmful environmental factors like air and humidity. 

POP VAC jars are perfect for storing the following concentrates:

• Live rosin
• Cold cure live rosin
• Fresh press live rosin
• Live rosin jam or sauce
• Live resin
• Rosin thumbprints
• Full melt ice water hash (bubble hash)
• Full melt dry sift

Advantages of POP VAC Jars

• A POP VAC concentrate container preserves both the terpenes and cannabinoids in your product for longer. This ensures your concentrate retains its unique qualities in the long term, making it a great option for long, short, and medium-term storage.
• POP VAC jars come in different size configurations that accommodate different amounts of concentrates. 4ml jars can hold 1-3.5g of concentrate while the larger, 9ml jars accommodate up to 5g of product. Currently, the recreational use of marijuana is legal in 24 states. Familiarize yourself with laws specifying how much concentrate you can possess in your state before purchasing or manufacturing these products.
• POP VAC jars come with fully customizable cartons and labels, with multiple label options (top, side, bottom, or any combination of those three) for brands of every size. We offer POP VAC jars with custom embellishments to help your concentrates stand out in the crowd.

Silicone Containers

Silicone jars are versatile containers that some people use to keep their dabs stored properly in the short term. Their strength lies in being able to store any type of concentrate, regardless of its consistency. 

We don’t personally recommend using silicone containers for the following reasons:

1. Silicone containers are not airtight. Even high-quality concentrates lose potency over time, meaning that silicone jars aren't the best choice for larger quantities you won't finish within a week of purchase.
2. You can’t clean silicone with isopropyl alcohol repeatedly whereas you can with glass. That is why we recommend glass jars for concentrate storage.

Glass Mason Jars

Glass jars can be a good option for some liquidy, resinous concentrates. To get the most out of a glass jar, pick one that's only slightly larger than the amount you want to store and vacuum pack it if possible. This is to avoid overexposing your concentrate to air. POP VAC jars are made of glass, making them the best all-round solution for high-end concentrate storage.

Plastic Jars

Never use plastic jars to store concentrates!

Storage Solutions for Specific Concentrates

Different concentrates require different storage solutions. Cannabis concentrates come in a range of shapes, forms, and textures. This means that some concentrates may be better suited to different storage containers. When shopping for cannabis concentrates, look out for the following:

Kief and Dry Sift

Kief refers to dried trichomes that are deliberately sifted and detached from marijuana flowers. Dry sift is kief that has been refined via sifting through one or more fine mesh screens. It is a fairly niche product and is generally purchased in dispensaries in the form of sift rosin. For the highest-quality rosin, storing dry sift properly prior to pressing is a must.

Storing kief or dry sift in a kief catcher is a solid short-term solution. However, vacuum-sealing these products before placing them in the freezer is the best way to go for longer-term storage.

Bubble Hash

Make sure your bubble hash is dry before storing it. When it comes time to store your bubble hash, choose an airtight container that minimizes exposure to light, humidity, and high temperatures. Choose an airtight container specially made with concentrates in mind to retain your bubble hash’s freshness and rich terpene profile, and store it in a wine fridge or freezer to keep it cool.

Live Resin

Keep your live resin in a cool, dark, and dry environment. Use an airtight container to minimize your resin’s exposure to light, air, and moisture that will degrade your product over time. A POP VAC jar is a perfect option for live resin as it is opaque as well as airtight. This minimizes the live resin’s exposure to light, keeping it fresh and flavorful for as long as possible. 

Live Rosin

The key to storing live rosin is avoiding extreme or fluctuating temperatures. Keeping it in an environment that’s too hot or cold will cause your rosin to degrade and turn it into an oxidized mess. Keep your rosin in a cool, dark place in an airtight container and away from heat sources like ovens. Live rosin can be kept in the fridge short-term or the freezer for long-term storage.

Shatter

Shatter has a consistency reminiscent of glass that can spoil if not stored correctly. Use parchment paper to wrap your shatter, then put it in an airtight container. You can offer more protection by putting the parchment paper package in a sealed food bag. Keep the container in a dark, cool place to avoid degradation.

Wax

Selecting the right-sized container is key to storing wax. Choosing a container that’s too big will expose it to air, which will degrade your product. An airtight glass jar is the best way to protect your wax from the elements. A silicone jar can also work for short-term storage.

Crumble

Crumble’s soft and dry consistency can only be preserved with correct storage. Silicone jars can be effective if you plan to consume your crumble quickly. However, opt for an airtight glass jar for longer-term storage.

When storing cannabis concentrates, consider the best way to retain its texture, potency, and terpene profile. Optimal storage practices also keep your product safe to consume. Consuming moldy concentrates is dangerous for your health. Fortunately, this situation can generally be avoided with proper storage.

Retain Concentrate Quality with Proper Storage 

Creating a delicious, potent, and terpene-rich product is the first step in ensuring the very best experience with cannabis concentrates. Picking the right storage solution ensures your concentrate retains its unique properties over time.

By following best storage practices, you ensure a long-lasting, fresh, delicious, and potent product consumers will love. Contact our sales team to determine the best containers for your concentrate SKUs.