The curing of cannabis is one of the most important factors impacting the plant's quality, appearance, smell, taste and potency. After the buds are dried, it is important to store them at a constant humidity level while they are cured, to ensure that they reach their full potential. Today we present some products you will find in our catalogue to help you with this task.
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The curing of cannabis is one of the most overlooked aspects of cannabis production, but it is essential to obtain a quality product, as it allows the plant's compounds to decompose properly. The plant's taste and aroma will continuously improve during the curing process if the humidity is maintained at the proper levels. How long? What is the optimum humidity level? This is undoubtedly one of the most "Frequently Asked Questions" that growers have. Because, just like a good wine, the quality of our cannabis can improve over time.
Curing cannabis: Proper curing augments potency
Through a process called biosynthesis , various compounds and marijuana cannabinoids transform into other new chemical compounds in the last growth phase. For example, tetrahydrocannabinolic acid (THCA) becomes, during this process, the main psychoactive compound of cannabis: THC.
If the plant is maintained under certain humidity and temperature conditions, the conversion of psychoactive cannabinoids will continue and, therefore, the buds will continue to become more powerful. But the more one rushes this phase, creating warmer and drier conditions to accelerate the curing, the sooner this transformation of the THC compounds will cease, undermining the plant.
What is the ideal humidity for curing weed?
The best moisture level to cure marijuana is between 60 and 65%, and a temperature around 15-22 ºC. Before, the plants are dried for 5-10 days, although this does not mean that the buds have lost all their moisture.
Once dried, the buds are placed in glass jars or other containers that need to be opened for a few minutes a day to air them out, drying the exterior of the shoots enough to extract the remaining moisture After the first week you will only need to open the jars once every few days. The use of a hygrometer to gauge the humidity levels in the jar makes it easy to keep humidity levels in the ideal range.
One must also choose a proper container for curing. Many growers report that wooden boxes guarantee better results than glass jars. For example, wooden boxes by 00 Box, available in three sizes, are made of cedar, a fine wood of limited porosity that facilitates curing and provides a distinctive fragrance while improving the plant's organoleptic qualities. They even include a hygrometer to measure the humidity, and a humidifier to keep it around 60-65%. These boxes will also help you to extract trichomes, thanks to a mesh at the bottom.
Another option is FumBox curing boxes, which are made of okume, a type of African wood that is highly impervious to humidity and that preserves the plant's original aromas. Their line ranges from pocket-sized curing boxes, to transport cannabis discreetly, to vertical boxes with an analogue hygrometer included, and the Large B4CC model, with two inner trays with a capacity for 50/60 gr. each, allowing for the storage of different varieties at the same time.
Once you have placed the plants into the boxes, put them in a cool, dry and dark place. On the first day you will notice that the buds are no longer as crisp and dry on the outside, as the moisture inside the flowers rehydrates the outer portions.
How to control humidity so that your cannabis is not too dry or wet
If your cannabis becomes too dry during curing, smoking it will be very unpleasant. If it is too damp, anaerobic bacteria will produce rotten or mouldy cannabis.
The best solution to keep the humidity at a constant level is to use 62% moisture packs by Boveda in the containers, as they provide bidirectional humidity control, meaning that they can reduce the humidity if it is too high, and raise the humidity when it is too low.
Another brand to consider is Integra, which offers Integra Boost, a practical moisture control solution containing a 62% moisture control bag and a change indicator. We also have Boost 62% envelopes in 8g format, designed for a container with approximately 12 to 28 g of dried flowers.
Although the buds will be ready to smoke after two to four weeks, continuous curing for four to eight weeks will further enhance the cannabis's taste and potency. As a general rule, cannabis will be fully cured when its humidity is between 8% and 10%, and when it is dry and crispy but spongy at the same time.
The packaging of cannabis
Once the cannabis has been properly dried and cured, the risk of mould and bacteria is largely reduced, and you can store it for the long term.
To do this you must choose a quality container that guarantees that your cannabis is free of air and moisture inside. A good option is Tightvac airtight jars, available in various sizes (from 0,12 litres to 2,35 litres). These containers feature a vacuum packaging system that completely seals them, without outside conditions affecting their contents.
Although it has no expiration date, and, as we have already explained, its properties may even improve over time, experts recommend consuming it during the first seven months of storage. From that moment on its psychoactive qualities will increase, and it may gradually lose the taste and aroma that characterise it.
The factors that come into play when it comes to conserving the qualities of your buds intact are diverse and, depending on circumstances, it can be difficult to keep tabs on them all. But it is still worth a try. Using the articles and products that we have told you about, finding a cool, dark place, and avoiding exposing your cannabis to unnecessary dangers, will suffice for you to enjoy it, and your only concern will be running out of it too soon.