The world of CBD can be a bit overwhelming with all the different strains to choose from. And once you find a flower that interests you, how do you know that it's the strain for you? You'll want to consider flavor, effects, and of course, potency. When you shop for CBD, your eyes are your most important tool. Therefore, you'll need to answer the question "what does good CBD flower look like?"
Let's look at what characteristics you should keep an eye out for when picking out a CBD flower.
What Is CBD Flower?
CBD flower is derived from the buds of hemp plants, which are a variety of Cannabis sativa. While hemp and marijuana are related, they have distinct effects. Marijuana is known for its high THC content, which produces a "high." In contrast, hemp contains very low levels of THC (no more than 0.3%), so it doesn’t produce a high. Instead, hemp is rich in CBD, providing its own range of benefits. THC is the primary compound in marijuana that causes a "high." Since CBD flower only contains a small amount of THC, you should not feel any of the intoxicating effects. Because of the low amount of THC, CBD flower is legal in all 50 states. CBD stands for cannabidiol. It is a natural chemical compound of the cannabis plant that offers numerous wellness benefits. The effects of CBD include:- Relieving muscle tension and aches
- Calming nervous minds and soothing racing thoughts
- Supporting better sleep
- Improving appetite and digestive function
What Does Good CBD Flower Look Like?
Generally, CBD hemp flower is green, ranging from light minty shades to dark forest hues. High-quality hemp strains tend to have highlights of purple and orange pigments. These can lead to some truly stunning color combinations. When you look closely at the surface of a hemp bud, you should see a coating of tiny, crystal-like hairs. They feel both fuzzy and slightly sticky to the touch. These are called trichomes. They serve multiple purposes, providing a protective layer to the buds that deters insects and other pests. More importantly, trichomes are powerhouses of CBD production! A generous layer of trichomes is a good sign of high-quality hemp buds.How to Recognize Good CBD Flower
It can be tempting to purchase the most aesthetically pleasing flower based on its packaging or name, but there are a few things you should consider if you want to find the best CBD flower product. You always want to ensure that the processing of any product is carefully done, resulting in the highest quality buds. In addition to discovering the process of how the CBD flower is made, try to pay attention to the physical characteristics of the flower, such as the aroma, the physical touch, and its overall appearance. An expert on the qualities of wine is called a sommelier. A CBD expert is called...well, they don't have a word for that yet, but you're about to become one! Focus on these traits:Visual Appearance
As stated earlier, high-quality CBD flower tends to range in color combinations of greens, purples, and oranges. You can tell that a CBD flower is high-quality because the colors are bright and vibrant and overall pleasing to the eye. On the opposite end of the spectrum, a CBD flower that contains shades of brown, red, or yellow is usually not the greatest quality of CBD. If you ever find a flower strain with any of these colors, we recommend not purchasing it. Flower of that nature tends to have very weak effects if any. Vibrant colors are the first sign of good hemp flower strains. The colors of the hemp plant come from compounds called flavonoids. While their name might reasonably lead you to think they contribute flavor to the plant, that is not so (we'll uncover this mystery in a moment). Some flavonoids offer unique physiological benefits in addition to beautiful hues!Touch
Expand beyond the sense of sight and consider the texture of your hemp flower. If it feels either too dry or too damp, this is a sign of a low-quality product. Too dry means that the flower is probably old and will crumble easily. If the flower is damp to the touch, it means it didn't dry properly, and it could develop mold. Ideally, you should be able to break off a bit of the CBD flower without the whole bud crumbling in your hand. The best CBD flowers have a generous coating of trichomes that feel slightly sticky on your fingertips. If your CBD hemp flower shows these traits, you can be confident in its quality.Aroma
Looking at any CBD product label is important, but experts will tell you that the best way to determine if the product is good is by the aroma. This may be a bit difficult to accomplish when you are purchasing CBD online. But when companies can provide extensive details about the physical characteristics of their products, this will help your decision process. The strong aroma of a CBD flower is a strong indication that the product is high in potency. A high-quality CBD flower should have a distinct smell such as sweet, fruity, citrus, floral, sour, and many others. When a flower is rich in aroma, this indicates many terpenes, which give a flower its particular smell. If you take a whiff of a flower that has no particular smell, then you should avoid this bud at all costs. Smell is another trait that hemp products share with their cousins in the cannabis family. The characteristic aroma of CBD-rich hemp flower comes from terpenes. Terpenes are chemical compounds in numerous plant species, from cannabis to pine trees to citrus. They provide both scent and flavor, so if flower smells strong, it almost certainly has a bold taste. On the other hand, if the flower smells weak or moldy, you should steer clear of it. There's another benefit to strong-smelling cannabis flower. Terpenes may increase the efficacy of CBD. It's part of the entourage effect, referring to the combined power of cannabis compounds. Research also suggests that terpenes have beneficial effects of their own! Clearly, a rich terpene profile makes for high-quality CBD flower.Trichomes
As we previously mentioned, trichomes are tiny crystalline appendages on the surface of CBD hemp buds. Trichomes have a few different biological roles, such as producing resin and serving as storage for essential oils and terpenes on the CBD hemp flower. If you want a high-quality CBD hemp flower, try to find a bud with a "frosty" exterior and plenty of ripe trichomes on the surface.Structure
Another key thing to look at when picking a CBD hemp flower is the structure. Quality CBD flower buds should be dense and tightly formed. Avoid cannabis flowers with lots of air pockets or visible stems. It should be professionally trimmed to remove seeds, stems, and fan leaves. CBD flower is typically best when grown indoors. This cultivation process allows the farmers to control the environment and protect their crops against harsh natural elements. It leads to larger, more potent yields and a better CBD flower product overall.
How Do You Know If CBD Flower is Good Quality?
Aside from assessing the physical characteristics of a CBD hemp flower, you can determine the quality by the growing methods of a flower. The best bang for your buck is CBD flower that is naturally grown and does not contain trace chemicals or pesticides. Another thing to look for is brand reputation and transparency. When a CBD brand is trustworthy and demonstrates knowledge of its products, this ensures customers will have the best experience purchasing from them. Third-party lab testing in the form of Certificates of Analysis (COAs) is another sign of good transparency. COAs ensure that the compounds inside the product actually match what the label claims. Companies that can show their COAs prove they have nothing to hide.How Do You Know If It's Low-Quality CBD Flower?
We've talked about the art of identifying good CBD flower brands, but how can you spot low-quality CBD and steer clear of it? Here are some key signs to look for:- Appearance: Good CBD flower typically has a rich color palette dominated by green with some floral pops. If the flower appears brown, yellow, or grey, it indicates a poor-quality product. The buds should be dense and well-formed, not airy and weighed down by stems and seeds.
- Smell: A stronger smell indicates a higher-quality CBD flower. The weaker the scent, the less potent the flower will be, and then you won't get the desired effects. You should also beware of flower with a moldy or mildewy scent, as this could indicate an infection of fungal parasites.
- Flavor: Potent CBD hemp flower should have a strong flavor thanks to the presence of many trichomes. A strong aroma is a good indicator that the flower will have a robust taste.
- Trichomes: You want to buy CBD flower with a clearly visible coat of trichomes. The buds should look like they are covered in white peach fuzz. Each of those little hairs is a CBD factory, so the more you see, the more potent the flower will be.
- Potency - CBD Content: You should be able to find the flower's potency listed on the label or product page. For optimal effects, look for hemp CBD flower strains with more than 10% CBD by dry weight volume.
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