Does Curing Affect Potency? Find Out Here!

I thought this was a GREAT read on the curing process and it's benefits:

Does curing affect potency?

The very short answer is YES. It does affect potency in a very positive manner. Curing cannabis after harvesting for few days to several months will improve the potency, as well as the taste and texture of the buds.

Curing takes place after cannabis has been harvested, manicured and partially dried. Most cannabis will retain a significant quantity of moisture within its stems and inner buds even when the outside feels dry. This is especially true for very dense buds, more care must be taken in drying loose airy buds because sometimes they can dry too fast.

Should a sample of bud become over-dried before proper curing is complete, many different techniques may be used to slightly re-hydrate the bud and continue curing as normal. Fresh buds, orange or lemon peels, lettuce, apple or many other fresh fruits and vegetables can be added to a sealed jar of pot to allow more moisture to diffuse into it. Plain water either sprayed directly on or applied via towel to the buds is also a good way to re-moisten them.

Be very careful when re-moisturizing buds though, because sometimes the re-moisturizing material can carry pathogenic fungi and bacteria, Which if not monitored carefully, can destroy your crop. Venting, checking, turning, and even re-moistening of buds is necessary so that the proper moisture content to promote curing is present, slow even drying is the optimum process for curing cannabis.

The preferred container for curing and storage of cannabis buds is an all glass jar, with a large opening for easy access. Wide-mouth canning jars with glass bodies and tops with a rubber seal are an ideal choice. Less preferred are small-mouth canning jars with metal or plastic lids. Generally try to avoid all plastics in direct or close contact with your cannabis. Generally these materials are slightly porous and the phenolic acids and terpenoids can react with plastics, but not with glass.

Initially drying can be preformed free hanging or enclosed in cardboard boxes or paper bags, both of which will act as a desiccant.

There are several process and effects which take place during curing that can rationally and scientifically explain the increase in potency and improvement of the smoke in cured material:

Moisture Content

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 %â??s by weight); curing generally begins after the cannabis has lost half of itâ??s initial mass, and contains approximately 33% of itâ??s initial water.

Once curing is complete and the pot is â??dryâ?�, it should still contain 10-15% moisture, approximately 2-4% of itsâ?? 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.

Cannabinoid Conversion

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.

Be aware though if curing is excessively prolonged (most connoisseurs would agree after 6 months no more benefit could be had from curing), the conversion of THC to non-psychoactive cannabinol (CBN) will occur. The exact rate of decomposition can vary widely depending on handling and storage conditions, but can be less than 10% to greater than 40% decomposition per year.

Storage tips:

Potency during curing and storage can be maintained by observing some basic precautions:

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

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

# 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.

During storage, buds should be stored as cold as possible, if temperatures of 0C or less are to be used, make sure the bud is dried to a very low moisture content before storage (to insure that cell walls are not burst by the freezing water).
Also, if prolonged storage is planned evacuating the oxygen and replacing it with carbon dioxide, nitrogen, argon, nitrous oxide, or any other inert gas will help slow oxidation, as well as the addition of antioxidants such as ascorbic acid packets or vitamin C tablets.

The most stable way to store cannabis is as whole unbroken buds or unpressed trichomes. Excessive rough handling or pressing can easily damage the protective cell walls and plant waxes that help protect cannabinoids from oxidation.

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).

Research indicates that this effect is fairly minimal during the curing process though. Decarboxylization will take place naturally very rapidly at temperatures of over 100C. So smoking and most any cooking will decarboxylize the cannabinoids. 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 itsâ?? characteristic odors, and therefore tastes.

The most current research also suggests terpenoids lend to the high, sometimes very significantly. Cannabinoids are phenolated terepenes so itâ??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 didnâ??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.

It must be noted that excessively long curing or storage, higher temperatures, or extremely low moisture content will cause such through evaporation of the terpenoids that the cannabis will generally loose almost all of itâ??s natural flavors.

Thanks for the info. I had most of that down already, but you did have some info that I'll be using in a few weeks.

This is good info. Just about to cure, Did a Gggl search and found this. Some I already knew, Some was very clarifying for me. Thank you.

dont have the patience to read a story but, yes it does

Thanks for the info, with fingers crossed I should be using it within 2 weeks!! Again, thanks

Hopefully people will read this and stop buying wet damp shitty fresh bud and thinking they got a good deal!

sheesh, that coulda been answered with just a YES :D

All professional smokers know that if you buy dank that it better be cured because we like it stinky and tasty 2.

a good read, I knew there were certain chemicals affected during curing, but was unsure exactly which ones and how it occured...

A good curing absolutely increases potency. The stash I'm into now is much stonier than it was six months ago when it was first dried. The taste hasn't changed all that much after the first month of curing though.

Shovelhandle

Great info, I have used most of these methods, but reading them is a great refresher thanks.:jointsmile:

10 years ago, when my first plants came down, and after it was dried i smoked some of it and i was thinking what a shitty weed....
I put it in a jar and forgot about it...But 2-3 months later i was thinking Wtf. let's smoke some of my shitty weed...
And BANG...it was awesome, and i was sooo happy and high..:D
Form then on i knew that curing is important, so people cure your weed, it makes it much better...
Like some good vine , it needs time....:thumbsup:...nice thread :thumbsup:....

definitly is worth the extra time! my buddy took down his plant a little early and the buds were definitly not dry yet, but he had no choice he was leaving for college the next day. He gave me a bunch and i did smoke some of it that day and it was decent bud. I kept the weed in a mason jar an two weeks later that shit was banging!

I give a vote for this being stickied, if it hasn't, I can't tell. But this is a very little known fundamental truth of cannabis. Many new smokers often associate moist or juicy bud with dankness, or think that because it's just been harvested that it's fresh and perfect. Every smoker should know that the only bud smoked should be nice dry, manicured bud.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by CultureCherryPopper

Many new smokers often associate moist or juicy bud with dankness, or think that because it's just been harvested that it's fresh and perfect. Every smoker should know that the only bud smoked should be nice dry, manicured bud.

---

shit i hope not, im thinkin curing is well known even to non growers

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by OLDJIMMYBONES

shit i hope not, im thinkin curing is well known even to non growers

---

Tons of people on these boards like to boast about getting fresh weed and moist/almost wet weed - they seem to think if it's fresh it's the best - little do they know fresh weed is crap and isnt worth smoking compared to what it could be if cured properly and over a long time.

Much smoother, smellier, TASTIER [The stuble undertones come through more, without any planty taste or smell in the smoke]

The smoke should be lovely and smooth - buttery almost.

But hey, if people want to buy wet weed and constantly get ripped off, let them. They're idiots, obviously!

dam, thought that was comon knowledge

Good read, thanks.

Time to invest in a glass jar.

I agree curing is useful for a better quality bud, increasing taste and appearance, but I have trouble finding all this info as credible without any sources, which it a recurring problem with many thing having to do with bud and its cultivation.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by prairieplantsystems

I agree curing is useful for a better quality bud, increasing taste and appearance, but I have trouble finding all this info as credible without any sources, which it a recurring problem with many thing having to do with bud and its cultivation.

---

Well i guess its more of trust and expirence

Baby food jars <3

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by KL4D4

Baby food jars <3

---

OOO.... My best friend has a baby. You just made my night.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by The Grim Reefer

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.


...As pot ages, some of the terpenoids go through polycyclic aromatization in the process of decomposition.

---

Let me start by saying a nicely cured bud, like the basic two week cure you get in an Amsterdam coffeeshop DOES make the bud taste and burn better, but...

I think you've seriously confused "metabolism" with "decomposition". Minerals certainly won't be metabolized, or released from the vegetable matter. Starches aren't going to be hydrolyzed without lots of water

So, a good cure makes the weed more potent just because other stuff is "released". Potency increases on a per weight scale?... that's like saying if I take the ice cube out of my scotch and water, the drink will get me more drunk.

About that "polycyclic aromatization"... NOT necessarily a "good thing", if it is indeed even true. Check a few health and medical articles on the wonders of PAHs. They're usually considered pollution, and are one of the reasons why burning carbon-based "stuff" is thought to be detrimental to one's health.

But in the end, I do agree that cured bud does taste better, and is more enjoyable to smoke, and better to buy, for lack of self-production.

thanks for the great info. and now I know how to cure the right way.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by prairieplantsystems

I agree curing is useful for a better quality bud, increasing taste and appearance, but I have trouble finding all this info as credible without any sources, which it a recurring problem with many thing having to do with bud and its cultivation.

---

As far as sources go, try Jorge Cervantes' and Greg Green's books for starters. Next do a side by side comparison between dried but uncured bud and bud cured 2-4 weeks from the same plant. It is a very noticable difference.

So when do we STOP curing? Or it just continues as our buds are stored in a dry and cool place to be used whenever

What I have found is that buds cured for approx 4-6 weeks are about as good as they get, but I still continue to keep them stored the same way (airtight container, cool dark place) until use. The only difference is that I do not have to 'burp' the containers regularly.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by MVP

What I have found is that buds cured for approx 4-6 weeks are about as good as they get, but I still continue to keep them stored the same way (airtight container, cool dark place) until use. The only difference is that I do not have to 'burp' the containers regularly.

---

Exactly the same as what i do, although i cure [burp] for about 3 months, then leave it completely after that. Your right, there isnt much differnce after the first kinda month, but i do find if you keep going for abit longer the taste develops abit more.

After curing, what is the best method of long-term storage? I always thought if the bud is dried properly, it will be safe to freeze. When it is in the freezer, it is fine to keep it in plastic baggies, since at freezing termperatures it makes no difference if the bud is in mason jars or plastic baggies. What do you say?

Freezing is no good. Refridge it.
With freezing, if there is any water left(which there is suppose to be 10-15% moisture), it will explode the inner cell walls as well as any trichomes which still contain some water.
Also, freezing makes the trichs very brittle and easy to break(meaning more damage during handling).
I use the refrigerator and it works great. Just use a light-tight container. Some people will swear against using plastic bags, claiming it robs flavor. I have never received herb in a mason jar so I assume that this plastic bag that my herbs been coming in for 10 yrs isn't taking anything away.
:jointsmile: Of course, I don't even know the first thing about "long term" storage, I smoke entirely too much weed. :jointsmile:

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by BudGrower

After curing, what is the best method of long-term storage? I always thought if the bud is dried properly, it will be safe to freeze. When it is in the freezer, it is fine to keep it in plastic baggies, since at freezing termperatures it makes no difference if the bud is in mason jars or plastic baggies. What do you say?

---

IMO, ideally you will want to keep them in cool dark place (fridge) in a rigid container (to prevent damaging trichomes like you would if they were in a baggie). As zcomp points out, DO NOT FREEZE them as it will rupture the cell walls and you will lose potency.

Personally I leave them in the glass curing jar and place them inside a paper grocery bag in the fridge. That way they stay safe from light when the door opens, and they are discreet (when the door opens a visitor doesn't have a big jar of nuggs staring them in the face). Also they are in a glass container rather than plastic, as glass doesn't risk leaching chemical flavors into the herb. :jointsmile:

Too late for me since my entire harvest is in the freezer! Shit! I hope I dried it good. Anyhow my wife would have a fit seeing mason jars with 23 oz of dried buds in the fridge. Easier to pack them tight into plastic baggies and wrap it up in layers of bags and stuff it way in the back of the freezer. The issue is how thoroughly the bud is dried before freezing it.

"During storage, buds should be stored as cold as possible, if temperatures of 0C or less are to be used, make sure the bud is dried to a very low moisture content before storage (to insure that cell walls are not burst by the freezing water)."

You dont have to freeze OR refridgerate bud. As long as it's dry and sealed up, it'll keep perfectly. Even at room temps.

True, you don't HAVE to refrigerate them, but it will help them retain their potency longer if you keep them in a cool place and away from light.

One thing this article didn't address, is the conversion of chlorophyll to sugars. This makes the smoke taste sweeter, and much less harsh on the throat.
Good info though!

I thought it was sugars to starches?

do you NEED to open the jar every so often? or can u just throw it in the jar and let it chill for a couple weeks?? how often should you open the jar?

bump

You need to open the jar to replace the old air with fresh air. Open the jar twice a day for about 30 minutes at time.

Curing will change as you go along. Its a learning process that you have to pay attention to and acknowledge as a real factor in potency to get any better at. I am talking about weed t hat you've known since it was in the ground. Most good n ugget or dirt on the open market is already fairly aged by the time it gets to you. However, even purchased quality nuggets and your typical swag can benefit from curing.

In my experience, a newly harvested plant, about a month or two stored in glass jars, with minimal exposure to the atmosphere are abou t as good as they get. Do not read it wrong. I have kept buds from year old plants that still kicked my ass as good or better from the point wher e they were picked.

What I have noticed from harvesting and curing is that the trichomes will always turn cloudier as they age. This will often mean the difference between the pot that you can't get enough of, because, unripened, or, cured, it becomes like a narcotic that you want to ingest all day, everyday. Whereas properly aged and cured buds, even from an immature plant, can become that pot that fucks you sideways after 3 or 4 hits.

I will reiterate. When I cure plants, even the clear trichs go cloudy and eventually amber. I have smoked my grown in various stages of curing. What I find is that it becomes a heavier buzz from the plant as the months go. Whereas it is more like a stimulant when smoked a week or so after actually becoming 95% (smokeable) dry. That meaning that it is hard for the human brain to get enough or feel satisfied off of a stimulant. Therefore, it is a quality you really don't want if you want to get stoned and stay stoned. Smoking it too early is a clear danger, since, you won't get that adequete buzz you really want, and will probably end up smoking an eigth a day , harken back to buying shit weed on the streets.

Weed is weird like that, just like every other plant. The longer it has to ripen, and, the better you get at knowing when its just right to eat or otherwise consume, the better the effect.