Does Curing Affect Potency? Find Out Here!

[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.

MVP Reviewed by MVP on 12-11-2007. 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 Rating: 5

[LIP]

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.

[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?

[Zcomp]

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:

[MVP]

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:

[BudGrower]

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)."

[LIP]

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.

[MVP]

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.

[psteve]

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!

[Zcomp]

I thought it was sugars to starches?