Kief vs Hash – The Differences and Benefits of Both Concentrates

Last Updated on May 19, 2023

Weed consumption has been around for thousands of years, including significant cultures and civilizations (Ancient Rome, China, and India).

Lately, cannabis has been recognized as a growing trend due to its positive effects on people, primarily in highly developed countries.

Switzerland, Austria, the United States, and many more acknowledged marijuana as a legit remedy following its decriminalization and legalization in the mentioned countries. As a result, its active elements, THC and CBD, became widely famous and recognized. With internet access, it is easy to differentiate between these two components. THC gets you high, while CBD does not have the same effects and even presents a specific type of medicine. However, some don’t favour smoking it and turn to other options.

Besides smoking buds of marijuana, you can ingest it through edibles that contain this plant. Accordingly, a variety of weed products have been present on the market, and the fun part is that you can make some by yourself. Regular marijuana consumers usually know what hash and kief are and how they are made and gathered. However, we created this guide for case-specific individuals and weed newbies unfamiliar with terms like hash and kief.

What is Kief?

There is no shame in not knowing it all. On the contrary, if you decide to join the cannabis community, merely informing on extracts of this highly potent plant can do you no harm, especially since terms like kief and hash recently became very popular on the internet and among the community itself.

Looking at a marijuana bud, you can instantly notice that this flower contains little crystals on the surface called trichomes. Thus, this plant’s defence mechanism gets the predator high (confuses it) and protects it from various threats. Besides, its smell attracts pollinators hence providing reproduction of this original herb.

Related: Do You Get High With Kief?

How To Make Kief?

Trichomes, aka resin, are usually referred to as kief, which we already mentioned a couple of times. When you know what kief is, gathering it presents a frequently asked question since the cannabis plant is extremely sticky. The most used technique of obtaining kief is crushing buds of marijuana with your grinder and collecting it at the bottom of the mill. 

For optimal results, purchase a quality grinder since its shape, quality, and structure are essential here. Like always, collecting kief has its downsides. You will need a lot of weed and, accordingly, a lot of time to gather a significant amount. In addition, various strains have different quantities of trichomes on their flowers, so choosing the right one is also essential.

Kief is often perceived as a considerable amount of trichomes, meaning you will need some patience to feel the right high. Smoking it in small amounts will not get you high, at least not in a highly potent way. Kief is usually greenish to blond, and the colour depends on purity. 

Pros and Cons of Kief

Pros	Cons
Kief is often more affordable than hash because it is a byproduct of trimming cannabis buds and does not require an extensive production process.	Kief is typically less potent than hash because it is less densely packed with trichomes.
Kief can be used in various ways, such as sprinkling it on top of flowers or incorporating it into edibles.	Kief can be messy to handle and store because it is a loose powder that can easily spill or stick to surfaces.
Kief can have a more subtle flavor profile than the hash, making it more appealing to some users.	The quality of kief can vary depending on the source and how it was produced, making it difficult to obtain the desired effect consistently.

What is Hash?

Difficulties when collecting kief, considering it is a slow and steady process that requires a considerable amount of money, lead to Hashish production. So what is hashish? Hash represents a concentrated kind of marijuana made of trichomes( the crystals or raisin), meaning that hash is pressed and concentrated kief formed as wax or a liquid. 

How To Make Hash? 

Since it is pressed, hash contains a large amount of kief varying in colour from yellow and green to all sorts of brown depending on the strain. Hash is famous because of trichome preservation long after the plant has been harvested and the simplicity of the process, making it available to just about anyone. 

As a result, it is widespread worldwide, especially in India, called charas, and in countries with a more humid climate because growing actual weed requires different climatic conditions.

Related: How to Make Hash From Stems?

Pros and Cons of Hash

Pros	Cons
Hash is typically more potent than kief because it undergoes a more intensive extraction process, resulting in higher levels of THC.	Hash can be more expensive than kief because of its higher potency and more intensive production process
Hash can have a richer and more complex flavor profile than kief because it is made by compressing trichomes, which can bring out the terpenes.	Hash can be harsh to smoke if not made properly, resulting in a coughing fit or throat irritation.
Hash is easy to store and transport because it is compressed into a solid form.	Hash is typically made from one strain of cannabis, which limits the variety of available flavors and effects.

Kief vs Hash: Which is Better?

Now you know the difference. Kief is a crystal powder collected from the flower itself, while hash is concentrated and pressed kief. 

There has been a lot of debate on what is better to consume, and there is no correct answer. It depends on the individual and the amount of money, patience, and effort invested. However, we researched and systemized the pros and cons of using both, making it easier for you to choose your preferred marijuana extract.

• Kief is relatively hard to collect since it requires a quality grinder and a tremendous amount of time, marijuana buds, and, inevitably, money to purchase a lot of weed, while hash already contains a more significant concentration of pressed kief.
• Hash is more available for the same reasons. However, in some countries, You cannot find hashish easily on the market; hence you must produce it yourself.
• When white, kief is pure and legit, while purchasing uncertified hashish may contain some unknown additives.
• Hash is more potent than kief since it represents compressed and concentrated trichomes meaning your high will be greater.
• Kief is known for causing coughing and lung functioning difficulties, especially when smoked in bowls, while hashish isn’t so harsh on the lungs.
• Kief requires particular collecting abilities, while hash can be bought, consumed, or even made if you are up for it.
• Hash burns longer than kief making it economical when in comparison.

All in all, there is no correct answer when it comes to choosing between them since both hash and kief are globally famous. However, a vast majority of weed lovers prefer hashish because of its potency and availability. 

Also, as mentioned before, the hash is pretty gentler to the lungs, while kief is known to rip them up – the most cited reason why many folks like hash more. Nevertheless, kief is a favourite extract for many people; pay attention to the quality and colour for a safe experience.

FAQs

Which is Stronger, Hash or Kief?

Hash is typically stronger than kief as it is a concentrated form of cannabis resin that contains higher levels of cannabinoids, while kief consists of the trichomes and resin glands that have been filtered from the cannabis flower.

Are Charas and Hash the Same?

Charas and hash are similar but not the same. Charas is a type of hashish made by hand-rubbing cannabis flowers, while hash refers to the general term for various concentrated cannabis products derived from resin glands.

Whichever you choose, don’t forget to do the proper research on both kief and hash – and make quality your priority.

We hope this simple guide helped you differentiate these two, and please state your opinion on the topic in the comment section.