Liquid Diamonds vs Distillate

Distillate is great, but liquid diamonds are better. Learn how Abstrax liquid diamonds and toll processing are revolutionizing concentrates. 

One glance at that golden, nearly translucent liquid, and you’ll be just as hypnotized as everyone else. Liquid Diamonds are pure D9 THC intensity with zero aromatics, and out of all of the concentrates on the market today, they have the highest active THC purity. Brands can use it in all cannabis applications, and it’s particularly valuable in products where total THC content matters most (infused flower, pre-rolls, vapes, etc.).

Think of it this way. You get to choose the music, and liquid diamonds control the volume. So, are liquid diamonds better than distillate?

Before we answer that, it’s important to remember that cannabis concentrates have come a long way. Thousands of years ago, hashish was all the rage. As extraction technology evolved, our ability to refine and purify concentrates also advanced. We’re talking about concentrates like live resin, rosin, budder, shatter, crumble, HTE, bubble hash, etc. 

When it comes to high-purity THC concentrates with little to no flavor or aroma, distillate has been a decent option. However, liquid diamonds offer some key advantages.

While you could say that liquid diamonds are “better” than distillate, it may be more accurate to say that they’re the next evolution of cannabis concentrates. Where distillate can still contain other cannabinoids, volatile organic compounds, and sometimes even residual solvents, liquid diamonds only have THC. That’s not all, though. 

Learn more about the differences between liquid diamonds and distillate, plus discover how the world’s biggest cannabis hydrocarbon extractor is pushing the boundaries of cannabis toll processing.

What is Distillate?

Cannabis distillate is created by refining crude extract. It involves extracting resinous trichomes from plant matter, winterization to remove unwanted compounds like fats and lipids, decarboxylation, and then the actual distillation process. Essentially, distillates isolate a specific range of compounds (often cannabinoids), which is why these concentrates often have impressive purity levels. 

When done correctly, you’ll be left with a versatile product that’s potent and ready for dabs, carts, and as an ingredient for edibles, topicals, etc. Since most aromatic compounds are stripped during the distillation process, distillate should be a blank canvas. Manufacturers can use it as-is, add it to finished products, add terpenes, etc.

For manufacturers, distillate can be appealing because of its scalability and ease of use. You’ve likely seen a wide array of distillate-infused vape cartridges at your local dispensary with THC concentrations upwards of 75% - 80%. 

The issue? Distillate isn’t necessarily as pure as it's marketed to be, and it can sometimes taste or smell like rubber. For manufacturers who want to create infused food and beverage products, those undesirable flavors and aroma notes are a big problem. 

What Are Liquid Diamonds?

If you’re struggling to understand what liquid diamonds are, we don’t blame you. There’s a decent amount of confusion surrounding this concentrate, so we’re happy to clarify things.

A lot of the confusion stems from the word “diamonds.” Some labs will take a high terpene extract and leave it for days (or months) to promote cannabinoid crystallization. If you’ve ever seen images of white “crystals” floating in sauce, those are often referred to as diamonds. 

To be very clear, those are not OUR liquid diamonds.

Our liquid diamonds are created by taking an isolated, purified THCA powder and heating or “melting” it into active THC. Once complete, it looks like a flowable translucent, golden liquid that will solidify as it cools to room temperature.

The liquid diamonds we produce can have THC levels above 96%. We’ve even achieved 99% purity with a visual clarity level close to that of water. This is a flavorless, odorless concentrate that can be used in finished products the same way distillate can. Compared to distillate, which can have lower total THC levels due to higher concentrations of other cannabinoids, liquid diamonds isolate and concentrate THC to minimize minor cannabinoids. This creates a more consistent composition compared to distillate. 

This is incredibly important for two reasons. First, many consumers make purchasing decisions based on THC levels and price. Basically, they want the highest possible THC percentage at the lowest possible price. Second, quality control labs assign potency to a product based on its ratio of THC to total product weight. Since distillate has other minor cannabinoids, the mg/g ratio tends to be lower than that of liquid diamonds. 

Essentially, liquid diamonds make it easier for brands to manufacture products with higher THC levels. When these products are side-by-side, customers are more likely to choose the one with higher THC ratios. So, it’s not a big stretch to say that liquid diamonds sell more products.

If that wasn’t enough, liquid diamonds give manufacturers complete control over the taste and aroma of their products. Want a THC cart that tastes like Peaches and Creme? Interested in turning up the dank on infused pre-rolls with the true-to-type aroma of Durban Poison or Ghost Train Haze? Pairing liquid diamonds with terpenes means no off-notes, just the desired flavors and aromas your customers want

Revolutionizing California Cannabis Toll Processing

Ready to get in on the liquid diamond hype but lack the time, expertise, or equipment to process biomass? We’ve got your back. At our Type-7 facility in Long Beach, we’ve built the world’s largest cannabis hydrocarbon extractor that can handle batch sizes from 50 to 2,300 lbs daily. That’s enough to process every single grow in California. 

What does this mean for California growers? They can skip the headache of in-house processing and transform trim and biomass into high-quality extracts within fifteen days of placing an order. That’s just the beginning, though.

Like everything else we do, we’ve also gone to great lengths to ensure unparalleled product quality. Materials are meticulously stored to ensure they’re frozen before extraction and then extracted at temperatures below -60°F. Through our comprehensive post-processing techniques, we produce the finest quality live resin and cured concentrates from liquid diamonds and sugar to budder, batter, wax, and more. 

Choose between Flow-Through, Quick Soak, or other extraction methods, and our experts will guide you every step of the way if you’re unsure. We’ll even produce finished products that meet your specific formulation needs and deliver that exact product today, tomorrow, and forever. 

Plus, every formulation comes with Terplytics and a Human Sensory Analysis, so you’ll have data-driven insights for marketing and future product development efforts. 

Abstrax Toll Processing Is A Game Changer for the Cannabis Industry

Sure, having the world’s biggest cannabis hydrocarbon extractor is a serious flex, and we won’t pretend we’re not bragging. In all seriousness, though, we’re committed to cannabis excellence, and this extractor is a breakthrough in cannabis science and technology. 

"At Abstrax, we're not just pushing the envelope; we're redefining the boundaries of what's possible in cannabis extraction," said Max Koby, Co-Founder and CEO of Abstrax. "Our new hydrocarbon extractor is a game-changer for the industry, enabling us to deliver unparalleled quality and efficiency for our clients."

Our toll processing services may only be available in California right now, but rest assured that we’re ready to grow and expand right alongside the cannabis industry.

Enhance Liquid Diamonds with Native Series Terpene Profiles

SHOP Durban Poison

The name may sound ominous, but Durban Poison is the dank wake-n-bake option you’ve been waiting for. The sweet pine and citrus provides a jolt of cerebral stimulation that heightens the senses and sharpens focus.

SHOP Ghost Train Haze

Notorious for its ability to send users deep into the spirit realm, Ghost Train Haze does so in an amazingly gentle fashion. Hailing from a cross between Neville’s Wreck and Ghost OG, this sativa is best for veteran stoners.

SHOP Orange Apricot

Revel in the next evolution of botanical aromatics with bright petroleum-fueled Orange Apricot. Tropicannasulfurs create an exhilarating medley of Tangie-forward citrus with deafeningly loud notes of sweet gas. Welcome to the future.

SHOP Gelatti

Gelatti is a terpy cross of two California favorites: Gelato and Biscotti. The profile leans into its heritage and serves up rich camphorous, earthy notes with a heavy helping of dank, floral berries. It's unique, to say the least.