How To See The Difference Between Good and Bad Cannabis Buds
- 1. Low-quality marijuana buds
- 2. Medium-quality weed buds
- 3. Premium-quality cannabis flowers
- 4. Color
- 5. Scent and flavor
- 6. Pistils' color
- 7. Resin and crystals
- 8. Density and size
- 9. Trimming
- 10. Are expensive buds always better?
- 11. Cannabis buds - faqs
- 12. In conclusion
Being new in the world of marijuana can be exciting, although it usually comes along with some bitter surprises due to beginner's misinformation. This is because as a new user, it's hard to tell exactly what you should be looking for, and then you bump into a close friend telling you that your buds are lousy. So, in order to avoid getting ripped off with second-hand buds, let's go through some basic differences between good and bad-quality weed buds. Keep in mind that this doesn't apply only to store-bought weed, but also to harvested buds after growing your own cannabis seeds at home.
The contrast between premium and poor buds resides mainly on high effects; color; aroma and taste; crystals presence; bud density; trimming and more. Generally speaking, good quality buds will be tightly pumped and dressing shiny, well-manicured, colorful looks.
Cannabis buds can be categorized into three different types, almost as the good, the bad and the ugly:
- Low-quality buds;
- Medium-quality bud;
- And premium-quality buds (aka exotic weed).
Basically, every time you can, access and pocket-wise, treat yourself and go for the premium of the premium stuff. But to differentiate them you'll need to be able to identify the main characteristics of each group.
1. Low-Quality Marijuana Buds
Most of us have been there, we were young and new to the wonderful world of marijuana smoking and were desperately looking for a cheap hookup. That's when we bumped into our first brick weed sighting, a supposed-to-be promising stash of marijuana that would brighten your days, as long as we hadn't heard of or tasted the good life yet.
Low-quality cannabis buds are ones that look pitiful, tending to look as if they were extremely squeezed (because they were) and they can even come in a brick, stonish kind of form. Ridiculous amounts of seeds are commonly found in these buds, as well as lousy scents and tastes, even so, that you might not even want to smoke them. The main aspects of low-quality cannabis are:
|
Looks |
Brownish, dark green tones dominance; plenty of seeds; squeezed aspect. |
|---|---|
|
Density |
Flaky; airy; not sticky or improperly dried. |
|
Scent and taste |
Low on terpenes, which results in lesser aroma and flavor. Raspy on the throat and definitely not a 'green' taste. |
|
Effects |
Due to the low terpenes count, and likely low THC too, the high will probably not be as strong, but it will still get you high. |
The central problem with these buds is that, usually, they aren't grown with enough, or any care at all. People who grow these marihuana plants aren't focused on quality terms at all, and that's why it's so visible on their final product.
Most of the time, low-quality buds are grown for commercial purposes, exporting them illegally from one country to another stuffed in small packages, which is why they look so awful. Although they are usually a black market product, they could also be a result of first-time growers who messed up somewhere in the process, obtaining sad-looking buds. Lastly, the most evident indicator of low-quality buds is their price. Of course, their salesperson can't charge you the prices of the premium buds for these brown buddies, or at least we hope not.
2. Medium-Quality Weed Buds
Most amateur or intermediate home growers' buds fit into this category, which isn't that bad at all. The mere fact that they are already far from resembling the low-quality buds makes you worthy of a standing ovation. Medium-quality cannabis buds are those that already look like proper buds, with beautiful green tones, perfume, and flavor.
These buds result from growers who at least put some love and care into the growing process, paying attention to the watering schedule, their nutrients, and maybe even the environmental influencing factors. At this point, if you find yourself purchasing medium-quality buds, the price will already be quite higher than low-standard buds, but we can assure you it will be worth it. You can recognize medium-quality buds by checking for these characteristics:
|
Looks |
New brighter shades of green will be all over, along with a sparkling layer of trichomes and orange pistils details. Small broccoli or miniature trees shapes, with a few extra leaves. |
|---|---|
|
Density |
Tighter, stickier buds, optimally no seeds inside. Good drying and curing process. |
|
Taste and scent |
Pleasant taste and aroma, but nothing too strong. |
|
Effects |
The high will be much more improved than the one of low-quality weed, given the higher trichomes and cannabinoids presence. |
Although medium-quality buds are already acceptable and decent enough, we all know that one friend who will be like "yeah, it's good but I've tasted better", not that we're like that at all. This friend has probably already tasted the premium-quality heaven and its hard to get down from there afterward. This brings us to the next point.
3. Premium-Quality Cannabis Flowers
Is it us or does the grass look greener? Yes, you've probably just come across premium-quality weed buds (aka exotic weed), hurray! In case you haven't, then let us to describe to you what these gems look like, and excuse us if we turn into poets as we do so. These buds are the results of skilled masters, expert-level growers who have a clear idea of what they're doing. Usually, premium-quality buds can be found in big cities or common weed-growing spots, such as Spain; Northern California, and the Netherlands.
It's in places like these where such masters put full dedication into what they're growing, being aware of every single detail of the growing process to get the most out of their seeds. Yes, you'll definitely be able to tell on the scent, taste, and the high you'll get on exotic weed!
If you don't come from these marijuana hotspots, this doesn't mean you can't still find these green diamonds anywhere else, or even grow them yourself. Just make sure you inform yourself and learn all the sensei's procedures to master the cultivation of cannabis.
These small trees from heaven will likely cost way more than the previous two categories, however, we can assure that the ride will make up for it. So if you're looking to spoil yourself and get the biggest jewels in the market, what you should be looking for is:
|
Looks |
Get ready for the newest saga 50 shades of green. These premium buds will combine perfect tones from light to darker green, with a combination of deep orange pistils, and a fairy-tale shiny coat of trichomes all around. |
|---|---|
|
Density |
Are they stones? No, they're just great buds, so packed and full that they feel hard as a stone. And yes, that stickiness on your fingers is because of them. |
|
Taste and scent |
Wine tasting? More like weed we'd say. Good cultivation promotes terpenes production, preserving each strain's flavor notes and characteristics. |
|
Effects |
Get ready to be swept off your feet. Inexperienced users will tell you the funniest experiences with premium buds. |
Hopefully, this guide will help you differentiate good cannabis buds from bad ones in the future. However, it all goes a little further than that, with certain specifications on essential factors about weed quality which we'll proceed to explain.
4. Color
No one likes to admit it, but sometimes us human beings can't help but be slightly superficial when it comes to choices, it sounds ugly but looks take part in many of the decisions we make. This doesn't escape marijuana either. One of the biggest indicators that certain buds are good or bad resides on their color. While different strains come in a huge variety of colors, from green to purple, orange, and red, it's not so much the hue but more of the vibrancy that tells on the quality.
What you should be looking for is shiny and bright, pompous buds. These are all signs of nice genetics, proper growing methods, and good curing and storage. On the contrary, poor buds have a duller aspect, dressing dark green or brownish tones.
5. Scent And Flavor
The terpenes in cannabis flowers are the ones responsible for their aroma and flavor. These molecules come from the mushroom-shaped glands on the buds called trichomes, which start growing at the flowering stage, and achieve their full potential once they've reached the perfect harvest time.
How can scent influence the quality of your marijuana? Have you ever taken out your stash box and not even a second after popping it open you could smell the perfume all over the room? That's definitely a good sign.
It doesn't necessarily mean that a good smell translates into good quality as well, but it is more often than not a rule that applies. The most common aromas and flavors include touches of flowers, citrus, earth, spices, fruit, and sugar.
6. Pistils' Color
If you've ever taken a close look at marijuana buds, perhaps with a macro loupe, you might have noticed the hair-like tendrils all around them. These are called pistils and they're the female cannabis flower's sex organs, but that's not why we're interested in talking about them for now.
Pistils are great ways of identifying the plant's progress. At the beginning of the flowering stage, they'll have a white aspect, while they'll start turning into a dark orange tone once they're getting ready for harvest. A bud that has been harvested at the right time will contain about 70% of amber-colored pistils, indicating the terpenes and cannabinoids have reached their fullest potential.
7. Resin And Crystals
Good quality buds will come along with big amounts of resin and crystals. Trichomes are the ones responsible for these two elements.
It's in these microscopic diamonds that most of the psychoactive components of the flowers are produced, such as THC and CBD, along with some famous terpenes like myrcene, limonene, and pinene.
The more trichomes the buds bring, the more resin produced, therefore the higher you'll get. It's easy to tell the trichome and resin content of a bud just by observing it, perhaps even with a flashlight.
8. Density and Size
Shortly, what every grower hopes for is for his buds to be heavy and tight, and if they're big, better. The main difference is that when you grind a piece of a dense bud the amounts will seem to double, while fluffy buds won't live up to your expectations as much. At this point, it all relies on proper growing techniques. A lack of nutrients and light will likely result in fluffy, light buds.
9. Trimming
Once a weed plant is harvested, the next step is trimming, which is also known as manicuring. This process refers to the part where you get rid of excess sugar leaves, the small leaves growing around the flowers. Having sugar leaves on your flowers doesn't mean that the bud is of poor quality but rather that the grower was lazy. It's all a matter of aspect firstly: a well-manicured bud looks better than a leafy one. At the same time, if you're buying your weed, when you get trimmed buds you're paying strictly for what you get -just the buds themselves- instead of excess leaf weight in the opposite case.
10. Are Expensive Buds Always Better?
Or maybe a better question is - is cheap weed always low quality? That really depends on where you live, the legality of weed in your country or state, and who you know. Personal taste also plays a huge role in answering this question. If you are lucky enough to live in an area where cannabis is recreationally legal, then there should be multiple dispensaries for you to choose from. Healthy business competition usually leads to great deals for consumers no matter the product, and it's no different for weed. Most dispensaries in built-up, urban areas will have some specials each day, week, or month so be sure to shop around and see what's available.
But, what if you don't live in a legal state or country? Well then, things are a little different for you poor souls. That's not to say that you cant find high-quality buds for a decent price, you just need to be more careful with purchasing, carrying, and consuming the mighty herb. Always keep your wits about you, and make sure to keep your personal safety and liberty at the forefront of your decision-making. And who’s to say you even want the strongest, stickiest exotic weed available anyway? Even the most involved pot enthusiasts go through stages where they want only the dankest bud, then decide that they want to smoke something a little lighter.
If you are just starting out on your weed journey you may want to start with a product that has a lighter THC count and see how you like the effects. With the explosion of weed culture in recent years, we have seen a huge improvement in genetics with regard to not only THC and other cannabinoid percentages, but also flavor and terpene profiles. Are you someone who doesn't love getting blasted when having a cheeky toke? In terms of personal preference, there is also CBD to consider. CBD is one of the cannabinoids that has been boosted with modern genetics to the point where you can now purchase beautiful buds with close to zero THC content but huge CBD percentages. Its also possible to get weed that has a nice balance of both THC and CBD, which is becoming an increasingly popular choice - especially among new users.
CBD has been proven to have strong anti-inflammatory, pain-relieving, and appetite-boosting properties all without any psychoactive effects whatsoever. Make sure to check out our CBD Auto 20:1 for a strain that is very low in THC but has buds bursting with CBD, or our CBD Auto 1:1 (CBD Crack) for a nice balanced mix of high CBD and mid-strength THC. Both options have huge bag appeal, with gorgeous looks, taste, and aromas.
So, all in all, it really comes down to what YOU are looking for out of your weed. Yes, cannabis is broken up into three main categories of quality, but let your gut make the decision and try a whole range of strains and cannabinoids before you settle on your very own favorite sticky-icky.
11. Cannabis Buds - FAQs
So, there we go. Pretty much everything there is to know about how to tell the difference between top-quality sticky icky, and low-grade bu**sh**. But, as with most aspects of cannabis, there will always be some lingering queries. Nothing to worry about, every day is a learning day as they say! Let's quickly run through the most commonly asked questions that we get over here at fast buds, and see if we can't find a simple and straightforward answer to each and every one...
What is the Best Way to Ensure You Get Top-Shelf Buds Every Single Time?
The absolute best way to ensure that you are consistently getting the highest quality cannabis buds is to either buy from reliable, trustworthy sources - or, grow it yourself! If you live in a country or state that offers legal recreational weed then that's great, you should have no trouble finding the good stuff. If not, but medical weed is available to you, then you may want to look into that avenue (only for those among us with actual medical issues though, you wouldn't want to game the system in any way...).
Otherwise, you might want to consider trying your hand at growing the stuff. It's a great hobby to get into if you enjoy smoking, vaping, or any form of cannabis consumption. Not only is it much cheaper than buying exotic weed (in the long run, sure the setup costs can be a little daunting), but it is extremely satisfying to be able to enjoy top-shelf buds that you grew yourself.
Is One Style of Cultivation Better Than the Others?
That all depends on the outcome you are trying to achieve. If you want the biggest yields possible, with the highest cannabinoid concentrations, then hydroponic cultivation is probably going to be your best bet. Hydroponic systems usually allow for maximum control over the environment your plants are growing in, and also provide extremely efficient and dialed-in delivery of nutrients directly to the plant's roots. If you want the most flavor and aroma out of your cannabis, then soil-based cultivation could be the way to go. Soil provides the best medium for naturally leashing out complex terpenes and cannabinoids, as it allows for more varied nutrient uptake from the wider range of nutrients that are found in soil. If you're looking for the perfect in-between, and the substrate we most often recommend for growers looking to start with hydroponics, then we suggest diving into coco-coir.
Coco-coir provides the tighter control that comes with hydroponics, but also a more forgiving environment when it comes to nutrient delivery than soilless hydroponics. At the end of the day, you will have to experiment and determine which works best for you! There are always going to be pros and cons to each option, but as long as your cannabis buds are well cared for at every stage of the cultivation process, you should end up with a top-shelf product.
Is Choosing Good Genetics Important for Ensuring the Crop Offers Top-Shelf Buds?
100%. In this new age of cannabis legality, the sheer amount of strains on offer is almost ridiculous. And you know what else is pretty wild? The crazy amount of seed companies. If you want your greatest chance at growing the best exotic weed you've ever laid your eyes on, then you are definitely going to have to navigate the murky ocean of seed producers and find a great option.
What are the Quality Measurements of a Good Cannabis Bud?
The quality measurements of a good bud are, in essence, the same as any other product - potency (in terms of THC), aroma and flavor, texture, and overall appearance. When it comes to cannabis, potency is probably the most important factor of all, but not always, and not for everybody. In a recent study, participants were given a bunch of top-shelf strains to try - ranging from 10% to 25% THC. The strains that scored highest were not, in fact, the strongest strains, but the tastiest. This goes to show that, yes, potency is important but it should not be your only consideration.
The aroma and flavor of a good cannabis bud are hugely important, as this can be a great indicator of the quality and is just so enjoyable for most cannabis enthusiasts. For example, if you get a really sweet-smelling bud that has a few diesel or fuel notes when smoked, then you know it's probably a pretty decent strain!
Is Curing a Vital Step for Smoke Quality or Can it be Skipped?
Think of curing like aging a nice whiskey - sure, a new whiskey gets you drunk but is that the point? You can 100% smoke the weed that you have grown as soon as it has finished drying, but that doesn't mean you should. Curing is one of the most important steps in the process of creating top-shelf cannabis.
Curing weed helps to preserve the flavor and aroma of the buds, as well as helping to turn that harsh smoke into something smooth and creamy. The curing process can also help increase the potency of your cannabis buds as it helps to break down and balance out the terpenes. Curing does take a little bit of time (anywhere between 2 to 12 weeks for most strains), but it is worth it in the end. You'll thank yourself later, we promise.
12. In Conclusion
The best way to make sure you aren't getting ripped off when you purchase cannabis buds is by being well-informed or getting help from someone who is. Never fear asking, it's always better to get rid of the doubts than regret your decisions later. Why not grow your own buds and challenge yourself to get the best, premium-quality buds you can achieve? And when you do achieve that, who said you can't reach a higher level of exotic weed? Who knows, perhaps you had some special inner talents for growing marijuana.
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