If you’re new to THCA concentrates (and cannabis concentrates, in general), you might be feeling a bit overwhelmed because there are so many options to choose from.
What’s THCA wax? THCA badder? What about THCA diamonds?
It can be a lot starting out. So to help you out, we’re breaking down all the main types of THCA concentrates in this article so you can figure out which is right for you.
We also discuss how concentrates compare to THCA flower to give you insight into the benefits and effects they have to offer.
What Are THCA Concentrates?
THCA concentrates (also called THCA dabs) are highly refined cannabis sativa products that contain high concentrations of tetrahydrocannabinolic acid (THCA).
THCA concentrates are designed to deliver potent effects and are ideal if you’re an experienced connoisseur looking for an intense experience. Concentrates are extracted to remove plant material, leaving behind pure, potent THCA.
Because THCA concentrates are made to contain less than 0.3% THC, they’re considered hemp products under the 2018 Farm Bill, which are legal on the federal level.
THCA turns into tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) when heated, which means THCA concentrates are just as potent as the cannabis concentrates you might buy as a dispensary. But due to careful manufacturing and labeling, they are legal to buy and use in most US states.
9 Types of THCA Concentrates
There are many different types of THCA concentrates out there. Here are some of the most common:
THCA Diamonds
THCA diamonds are a crystalline concentrate that boasts extremely high potency and purity. Often exceeding 99% THCA potency, they’re one of the strongest THCA concentrates available.
People like THCA diamonds for their ability to deliver a clean, intense high when heated and converted into THC. These glass-like crystals can be dabbed or sprinkled onto flower for a powerful, fast-acting experience, or, you can melt them down to make edibles for a more customized experience.
THCA Wax
THCA wax is a soft, pliable concentrate with a buttery, easy-to-handle texture, making it a favorite for dabbing. Wax boasts rich terpene content along with high THCA potency (often exceeding 70%), delivering vivid flavors alongside a potency experience.
Best used with a dab rig or vaporizer, THCA wax melts smoothly under heat, producing potent and fast-acting effects.
THCA Sugar Wax
THCA sugar wax is a soft, granular concentrate that closely resembles traditional THCA wax but with a more sugary, crystallized texture. THCA sugar wax can be white, but it often has an amber hue to high terpene content.
Sugar wax offers high THCA potency combined with a full-spectrum cannabinoid profile, making it a great dab for therapeutic as well as recreational use.
Thanks to its easy consistency, THCA sugar wax is simple to scoop and use, providing a smooth, high-potency vapor when heated.
THCA Shatter
THCA shatter is a brittle, glass-like concentrate that breaks apart easily, making it convenient for precise dosing. At 60-90% THCA, shatter is one of the most potent concentrates.
It can be dabbed, broken up and added to pre-rolls, or inhaled using a bong rig.
When heated, shatter melts into a clean, flavorful vapor, delivering strong psychoactive effects after decarboxylation.
THCA sauce
THCA sauce is a rich, terpene-heavy concentrate known for its high potency and bold flavors.
It contains a mix of THCA crystalline structures and cannabinoid-rich oil, providing a thick, saucy texture that’s ideal for dabbing.
THCA sauce delivers strong effects alongside a full-spectrum terpene experience, making it a favorite for flavor chasers and connoisseurs.
THCA badder
THCA badder is a whipped, creamy concentrate with a smooth, malleable texture that makes it easy to scoop and dab.
Known for its high terpene content and potent THCA levels, badder provides a rich, flavorful experience.
It’s ideal if you prefer concentrates that are easy to work with while still offering strong effects and full-spectrum cannabinoid benefits.
THCA kief
THCA kief is a fine, powdery concentrate that’s collected from the resinous trichomes of THCA flower buds. With a potency of 75% THCA, it delivers a smooth, terpene-rich experience.
Kief can be sprinkled onto flower, pressed into hash, or used in a vaporizer, making it a versatile and potent concentrate.
THCA live resin
THCA live resin is an ultra-premium concentrate extracted from fresh, flash-frozen cannabis, preserving the plant’s full spectrum of cannabinoids and terpenes.
This process results in exceptional flavor, potency, and aroma, offering a rich, well-rounded experience.
Live resin is favored for dabbing due to its high THCA content and terpene-forward profile, delivering a smooth and flavorful vapor when heated.
THCA live rosin
THCA live rosin is a solventless concentrate made using heat and pressure, ensuring a pure, terpene-rich experience without chemical solvents.
This premium extract offers a clean, natural flavor while maintaining high THCA potency. Ideal for dab enthusiasts, live rosin provides a smooth, flavorful vapor with strong effects, making it a top choice for connoisseurs who prioritize purity and taste.
How To Use THCA Concentrates
THCA concentrates can be used in many different ways – here are some of the main ones:
- Smoking: You can smoke THCA concentrates by mixing them into your bowl or joint, which will increase the potency of your flower.
- Vaping: THCA concentrates can be inhaled using a vaporizer (of which there are many types), which converts the concentrate into vapor without burning it.
- Dabbing: THCA concentrates can be inhaled using a dab rig, which consists of a glass piece with a nail attachment, a torch, and a dab tool. Heat the nail, scoop THCA concentrate onto it once it’s hot, and then inhale the vapor as it’s produced.
- Hot Knifing: This old-school THCA concentrate consumption method involves heating two metal knives and then carefully pressing a small amount of THCA concentrate between them. As the vapor forms, it can inhale it using a straw or a similar device.
- Glass Dab Straw (Nectar Collector): THCA concentrates can be consumed using a glass dab straw, where the tip of the straw is heated with a torch and dipped directly into the THCA concentrate. You can then inhale through the opposite end.
THCA Concentrates vs. THCA Flower
THCA concentrates and THCA flower differ in several key ways. Here are some of the things you should be thinking about as you choose which product is right for you:
- Potency: THCA concentrates are significantly more potent than flower, with THCA levels reaching 99% in products like THCA diamonds, while THCA flower typically contains 15-30% THCA. Concentrates deliver stronger and faster effects, making them better for experienced users.
- Consumption Method: THCA flower is smoked or vaped, providing a classic cannabis experience with full-spectrum effects. THCA concentrates are typically dabbed or vaporized, requiring specialized equipment like dab rigs or e-rigs for optimal use.
- Effects & Experience: Concentrates provide an intense, fast-acting high, while THCA flower offers a more balanced, gradual onset. Flower also retains a broader range of terpenes and minor cannabinoids, contributing to a richer entourage effect.
- Convenience & Accessibility: THCA flower is easier to use; simply grind and smoke. THCA concentrates require more preparation, equipment, and knowledge, making them less beginner-friendly but highly efficient for seasoned users.
- Flavor & Aroma: THCA flower has a strong natural terpene profile, delivering robust flavors and aromas when smoked. Concentrates often isolate cannabinoids, but options like live resin and live rosin preserve rich, terpene-heavy flavors.
Conclusion: Which THCA Concentrate Is Best For You?
As you’ve discovered after reading this article, there is no shortage of THCA concentrates to choose from.
So which is best for you?
If you’re primarily a therapeutic user, terpene- and cannabinoid-rich concentrates like THCA sugar wax or THCA kief are better options.
If you’re a recreational connoisseur or need high THCA levels for therapeutic applications, THCA diamonds are a good way to go due to their high purity and potency.
Either way, THCA concentrates are a safe and fun way to enjoy the benefits and effects of the cannabis sativa plant.
Looking for the best THCA concentrates? Carolina Hemp Cafe crafts and curates world-class THCA concentrates, including diamonds (99.47% pure!), wax, and kief. Everything is 3rd-party lab tested, made with 100% natural cannabinoids, and federally legal. Plus, enjoy free shipping on orders over $99.
Types of THCA Concentrates: Frequently Asked Questions
Here are some frequently-asked questions about the types of THCA concentrates.
What are the forms of THCA?
THCA comes in various concentrated and raw forms, including THCA flower, diamonds, wax, sugar wax, shatter, sauce, badder, kief, live resin, and live rosin. Each type differs in texture, potency, and method of consumption.
What is the best brand of THCA concentrate?
While there are many reputable, high-quality THCA brands that make and sell concentrates, Carolina Hemp Cafe stands out for its wide selection of natural, federally-legal, 3rd-party lab-tested THCA concentrates, including diamonds, wax, kief, and sauce.
Will THCA concentrates show up on a drug test?
Yes, THCA concentrates can trigger a positive drug test because most tests screen for THC metabolites, which are produced when THCA is heated and converted into THC. Because of this, it’s best to avoid THCA products if you’re subject to drug testing.
What is considered a high THCA?
A high-THCA flower or concentrate typically contains 25% THCA or more, with premium concentrates reaching 99%+ THCA. Strains with 30%+ THCA are considered extremely potent, delivering effects comparable to high-THC cannabis when heated.