Does curing bring out the real smell?

[jjs]

Hi I am currently drying my weed and when I smell it reminds me of when you cut the lawn , Does curing bring out potency in smell?

Cheers

 

[Maj.Cottonmouth]

Usually yes as long as you hit the sweet spot and get them in sealed jars at 65% RH. Some of the Cinnamon Haze I just finished smelled like hay going into the jars but smells nice coming out after a cure. Check out this thread on curing.

 

[guest456mpy]

jjs,

When the larger bud stems snap but don't break put them loosely into glass jars and open them for 15 minutes a day for about 2 weeks. Then cure them for an additional 2-10 weeks and you will be delighted to what happens both in terms of smell and potency.

H.G.

 

[jjs]

Thanks for the feedback guys , found the curing thread quite interesting , cheers!

 

[staff11]

Curing doesn't really increase potency. Once the weed is dry, the potency is what it is. Curing definitely helps with flavor and taste though.

 

[VerdantGreen]

yes but the point of curing is to NOT have the weed completely dry, and thus the chemical process of converting cannabinoids continues - so curing can increase potency - and it definitely will improve flavor and taste - especially if the plant was well fed up till the end.

VG

 

[NoRest]

yes but the point of curing is to NOT have the weed completely dry, and thus the chemical process of converting cannabinoids continues - so curing can increase potency - and it definitely will improve flavor and taste - especially if the plant was well fed up till the end.

VG

I cant agree with you here. Can you point me to the research that shows cannabis continues to produce cannabiniods after harvest?

Once harvested production halts and the chemical process of cannabiods degrading to CBNs starts. No cure will increase potency. Only proper curing can maintain what you had at harvest.

BUT the OP asked if curing can increase potency in "smell" and yes it can do that.

Our jars also do that by using Far IR lightwaves to activate terpins and flavanoids.

 

[guest456mpy]

BUT the OP asked if curing can increase potency in "smell" and yes it can do that.

Our jars also do that by using Far IR lightwaves to activate terpins and flavanoids.

Terpins are not just for smell and flavor, they modulate the actions of cannabinoids. Please search for Sam the Skunkman's study on the subject.

H.G.

 

[NoRest]

Terpins are not just for smell and flavor, they modulate the actions of cannabinoids. Please search for Sam the Skunkman's study on the subject.

H.G.

Yes terpenoids affect cannabinoids but even in Sam's studies he only discusses volitileity and degrading post harvest.

Using Far IR open up a molecule dosent increase the potency

 

[VerdantGreen]

I cant agree with you here. Can you point me to the research that shows cannabis continues to produce cannabiniods after harvest?

hi NoRest, you mis-read me. i said 'convert' not 'produce'

from a DJ short article :

Moisture is essential for the curing process, it is both your friend and enemy. If too much moisture is left in the buds, with out the regular mixing, venting and turning of buds involved with curing, molds and bacteria can quickly form and ruin the taste and potency of your stash. On the other hand, without the necessary moisture metabolic processes essential to curing do not take place.

Fresh cannabis plants are around 80% water (all %’s by weight); curing generally begins after the cannabis has lost half of it’s initial mass, and contains approximately 33% of it’s initial water.

Once curing is complete and the pot is “dry”, it should still contain 10-15% moisture, approximately 2-4% of its’ initial water. This is an ideal because most bacteria and molds can not grow below 15% water content, and below 10% cannabis buds tend to powder.

Naturally, as the metabolic processes continue during curing, the conversion of cannabergerol to tetrahydrocannabinol will continue and the potency of the pot will increase. This is because cannabergerol (CBG) is the non-psychoactive precursor for tetrahydrocannabinol (THC). Of course, the exact change in THC content will necessarily be dependant upon the concentration of CBG in the fresh material at harvest. Of course any remaining precursors necessary to form additional cannabidiol (CBD) and other cannabinoids will also be consumed and converted.

Curing proceeds while the leaf is still alive, for until it dries, many of the leaf's life processes continue. Since the leaf's ability to produce sugars is thwarted, it breaks down stored starch to simple sugars, which are used for food. This gives the grass a sweet or earthy aroma and taste. At the same time, many of the complex proteins and pigments, such as chlorophyll, are broken down in enzymatic processes. This changes the colour of the leaf from green to various shades of yellow, brown, tan, or red, depending primarily on the variety, but also on growing environment and cure technique. The destruction of chlorophyll eliminates the minty taste that is commonly associated with green homegrown.

Potency during curing and storage can be maintained by observing some basic precautions. Excessively hot temperatures will promote oxidation and the growth of mold and bacteria, and very cold temperatures can prolong curing and drying for up to several months.

1. The buds need to be kept in the dark, protected from light, which will quickly decompose the THC.

2. Moderated temperatures should be observed during curing, 50-75F being ideal.

Continued Metabolism

Also as these metabolic process take place, the plant needs energy which leads it to consume the sugars, starches, nitrates, and minerals. Many of these compounds are metabolized and released as water and carbon dioxide, therefore removing what is essentially inert material from the pot increasing the concentration of cannabinoids therefore making it more potent.

Much of these positive metabolic processes can be most effectively begun with thourough flushing and stripping of the plant before harvest. This will help reduce the amount of time necessary for a good cure.

Curing will not only improve potency, but the color and look of most cannabis buds because as the chlorophyll is broken down purple, gold, and white coloration can emerge and the trichomes will appear more pronounced.

Decarboxylation

Some decarboxylization will take place during curing as well. This happens when the carboxyl group (COOH) located at C-2, C-4, or the end of the hydrocarbon chain at C-3 is destroyed leaving a hydrogen attached and liberating CO2.

Decarboxylization is necessary to convert cannabinoids to usable psychoactive forms; the plants (and your body) carboxylize cannabinoids to make them more soluble in water (for metabolic reactions and excretion). As decarboxylization occurs, the loss of CO2 will liberate a small amount of inert material making the pot more potent via concentration of the cannabinoids.

Taste & Odor

Terpenoids are the highly volatile compounds that give marijuana much of its’ characteristic odors, and therefore tastes.

The most current research also suggests terpenoids lend to the high, sometimes very significantly. Cannabinoids are phenolated terepenes so it’s not surprising that many hundreds of different terpenoids are synthesized as well.

As pot ages, some of the terpenoids go through polycyclic aromatization in the process of decomposition. This agglomeration of terpenoids will change the flavor; hence the ability of cured pot to show flavors that didn’t seem present in the original fresh material. Much of the very volatile terpenoids will also evaporate and or decompose, especially with prolonged curing or storage. This action will remove some matter from the pot increasing the cannabinoid concentration and therefore potency.


A little background on what happens inside and outside the harvested drying plant will help you understand why proper drying and curing are so important to good quality dope. Drying evaporates most of the 70-75 percent water content in fresh marijuana. Drying also converts THC from its non-psychoactive crude acidic form to its psychoactive pH-neutral form. Every THC molecule must shed their moisture content before they are fully psychoactive. In other words fresh green marijuana will not be as potent as dried marijuana.

When you cut a plant or plant part and hang it to dry, the transport of fluids within the plant continues, but at a slower rate. Stomata, small openings on leaf undersides, close soon after harvest and drying is slowed since little water vapor escapes. The natural plant processes slowly come to an end as the plant dries. The outer cells are the first to dry, but fluid still moves from internal cells to supply moisture to the dry outer cells. When this process occurs properly, the plant dries evenly throughout. Removing leaves and large stems upon harvest speeds drying, however, moisture content within the “dried” buds, leaves and stems is most often uneven.

Quick drying also traps chlorophylls and other pigments, starch and nitrates within plant tissue, making it taste “green” burn unevenly and taste bad. Taste and aroma improve when these pigments break down. Slow even drying – where the humidity is similar inside and outside the foliage – allows enough time for the pigments to degrade.


Drying bud converts crude acidic THC from its nonactive form into a neutral pH psychoactive substance. Each THC molecule has to lose it's moisture content in order to become fully psychoactive. When the water exits the bud, the THC becomes slightly different in molecular structure.

Cured buds undergo a:

Reduction in Chlorophyll content,
Reduction in plant starch content,
Reduction in nitrate levels,
Loss of moisture,
Loss of volitile terpenoids, and the polycyclic aromatization of other terpenoids.

All of these phenomena reperesent a loss in weight, and gain in net potency (except for the polycyclic aromatization of terpenoids which affects flavor).

 

[smokinweedgi]

thanks for that info verdant great read

 

[daromank42]

some real good info. are the mason jars the best for the curing??

it seems to be glass doea a hell of a lot better than a pill bottle.

 

[aspore]

sweet read! I got eager and snipped a bud last night, dried it with a dehydrator w/top off, and smoked it just now. It was NOT tasty, lacked potency, and was totally not worth it. But I did get a good buzz, so I know that when my buds are finished, dried and cured the right way, I should have it pretty good!