A Quick Gist..
Keep CBD flower in airtight containers, such as glass jars with secure lids, to minimize exposure to air, moisture, and light. Use containers specifically designed for cannabis or CBD products for added protection. Maintain a cool, dry, and dark storage area to prevent heat, light, and humidity from degrading the flower. Consider using humidity control packs, like Boveda, to maintain optimal moisture levels.
Read on to learn more!
Prolong the Freshness of Your Herbal Collection
What can you do to prolong the freshness of the delicious and beneficial hemp flower strains you regularly enjoy? Actually, there are a few habits you can develop that can keep your herbal collection fresh from start to finish!
First, let’s take a closer look at the elements that can devastate the freshness of your products sooner than you want. With this knowledge and a little practice, you can become an expert not only at consuming quality hemp flower strains but also at protecting those precious plant materials from mean old Mother Nature once the plant leaves the soil!
Factors That Affect Freshness
Once the plant is harvested, friendly natural elements become the worst enemies of harvested hemp flowers. Let’s review those elements and see what damage they can cause.
Air
Air plays a significant role in the freshness of your CBD flower. When the flower is exposed to air, it begins to undergo gradual degradation. Over time, the exposure to oxygen causes the flower to dry out, leading to changes in its texture and aroma. The cannabinoids and terpenes within the flower can also start to break down, resulting in a decrease in potency and potentially altering the overall effects and flavor profile.
To maintain freshness, it is important to store CBD flower in airtight containers, minimizing its exposure to air and preserving its quality for a longer period.
Heat
Heat can have a major impact on the freshness of CBD flower. Elevated temperatures can accelerate the degradation process, causing the flower to dry out and lose its desirable characteristics. Heat can cause the cannabinoids and terpenes to break down more rapidly, leading to a decrease in potency and potentially altering the overall effectiveness.
It is important to store CBD flower in a cool and dry environment to minimize heat exposure and maintain freshness for longer.
Light
Light exposure can have a negative impact on the freshness of your CBD flower. Ultraviolet (UV) light, in particular, can degrade the cannabinoids and terpenes, leading to a decline in the overall quality of the flower. Blocking these UV rays is crucial to prevent degradation and help maintain the flower’s potency and freshness over time.
To preserve freshness, it is recommended to store CBD flower in opaque containers or packaging that blocks out light.
Moisture
Moisture plays a very delicate role when maintaining the freshness of CBD flower. Excessive moisture can lead to the growth of mold, mildew, or other contaminants, compromising the quality and safety of the flower. On the other hand, overly dry conditions can cause the flower to become brittle and lose its desirable aroma and texture.
It’s important to store CBD flower in a controlled environment with optimal humidity levels, creating a balance that prevents excessive moisture while retaining the flower’s natural moisture content.
Keep Your CBD Flower Fresh
By now you should know what you’re trying to protect against when mantaining the freshness of CBD Flower – namely air, heat, and light. Let’s look into some methods that will help accomplish this!
Boveda Packs
By maintaining an optimal humidity level, typically around 55-62% RH for CBD flower, Boveda packs help preserve the terpene profile, flavor, and potency over an extended period. They create a stable microclimate within the storage container, reducing the risk of mold, mildew, or over-drying.
You will always find a Boveda humidity control pack in every hemp flower package you purchase at Fern Valley Farms. This gives you the ideal jumpstart in meeting your goal of freshness from the first to the last bowl or joint.
Containers
Using proper containers is crucial for preserving the freshness of CBD flower. Airtight containers, such as glass jars with secure lids, create a sealed environment that minimizes exposure to air, moisture, and light. This helps to maintain the integrity of the flower, preserving its potency, aroma, and flavor over time.
Stainless steel containers are highly popular because they block out all the light once the lid is on. Plus, some of them have the ability to create vacuum seals. While stainless steel resists heat better than other metals, as a metal it can get too hot to handle if exposed to a heat source. This of course is not at all good if it is filled with quality hemp flower strains so extra diligence must be taken to avoid such a catastrophe.
Plastic containers also offer the ability to create vacuum seals each time the lid is closed and can be opaque so no light can enter, but some people do not want their precious herbs sitting in plastic containers. You also have a similar concern with exposure to heat, as plastic can also absorb heat or even melt.
Glass jars are the most popular and perhaps the most effective method to retain freshness. Even though you cannot create a vacuum seal, you can find glass containers with airtight lids. If taking that route, you are strongly advised to find tinted glass containers to shield your herbal collection from direct light. Even glass can pull in the heat, so you can see that controlling the temperature in the space where you keep your herbal collection is paramount.
Wooden vessels can have a mixed effect on preserving the freshness of CBD flower. While wood can provide an aesthetically pleasing storage option, it is important to consider the potential drawbacks. Wood is porous and can absorb and release moisture, which can impact the moisture content of the CBD flower. Additionally, the presence of natural oils and compounds in the wood could potentially interact with the cannabinoids and terpenes, altering the flavor and potency of the CBD flower.
Using containers that are specifically designed for storing cannabis or CBD products, such as UV-resistant jars or containers with humidity control packs, can provide an extra layer of protection to ensure optimal freshness preservation.
Storage Space
Having a designated storage area for your CBD flower containers is advantageous for freshness preservation. It allows you to maintain consistent environmental conditions, such as temperature and humidity, which are essential for keeping the flower in optimal condition. Choosing a cool, dry, and dark location helps minimize the degradation caused by heat, light, and moisture. Additionally, organizing and storing your CBD flower containers in a dedicated space ensures easy access and reduces the risk of mishandling or accidental exposure to unfavorable conditions.
CBD Flower Degradation
CBD itself does not typically degrade into another cannabinoid under normal conditions. However, cannabinoids can undergo conversion or transformation processes over time, especially when exposed to certain environmental factors such as heat, light, or air. For example, Delta 9 THC, another cannabinoid found in cannabis, can slowly convert into CBN (cannabinol) through a process called oxidation or decarboxylation. This conversion is a natural occurrence and can happen as cannabis or hemp products age. CBN is a non-intoxicating cannabinoid that is known for its potential sedative effects. It’s important to note that the conversion of cannabinoids is a gradual process and occurs over an extended period of time, and the rate of conversion can vary depending on various factors.
In Conclusion..
By considering key factors such as air, heat, light, and moisture, we can implement effective storage practices. Using airtight containers, preferably glass jars, and storing them in a cool, dry, and dark area helps minimize exposure to degrading elements. Additionally, employing humidity control packs like Boveda can help maintain optimal moisture levels. By following these guidelines and having a designated storage area, we can ensure that CBD flower remains fresh, aromatic, and potent for a longer period, enhancing the enjoyment and benefits of the product.
