This recipe is easy to follow, and it contains all the information you need to make a high-quality tincture from your harvest. This article will cover how to extract the trichomes from the buds, how to use vegetable glycerin as a solvent, and the shelf-life of a tincture. The benefits of making your own tincture are numerous. This also explains why more users tend to buy high yielding seeds and grow them at home.
Using A Cold Ethanol Extraction Method
There are several advantages to using an ethanol extraction method to make tinctures. This method can yield a broad spectrum of compounds in a low amount of time, and the equipment costs are low. In addition, the solvent itself is recyclable and can be recycled after the extraction process. As long as the solvent is not too hot, it will not damage the plant material. In addition, this method allows the producer to extract more compounds at once, and, therefore, create higher-quality tinctures.
The ethanol used in this method is non-polar, which makes it suitable for use in extracting oils. This method also removes other components like ethanol, pigments, and terpenes. Since these components are fat-soluble, this method is better for extracting a higher percentage of cannabinoids and terpenes. However, this method cannot remove all components, so the concentration of terpenes and metabolites is lower.
Using Vegetable Glycerin As A Solvent
Vegetable glycerin is a natural, non-alcoholic solvent. It can be obtained from either plant or animal matter. Vegetable glycerin is widely available and is sometimes marketed as a sweetener. This natural, sweet taste is perfect for tinctures, and it is easily incorporated into most foods. As a bonus, it is a safe alternative to alcohol, which has no medicinal value.
When creating your tincture, you must first grind the buds into small pieces. It is also important to keep it as dry as possible, as moist weed doesn’t produce good tinctures. Next, you must add ethyl alcohol to your glass mason jar or any other container. You may choose to use Everclear or higher-proof alcohol. Pour one gram of budsinto the mason jar, making sure the alcohol covers the weed.
Vegetable glycerin is an excellent solvent for tincture recipes. It is mild in taste and doesn’t burn your mouth when you hold it under your tongue. It is also great for combining with decarbed concentrates and alcohol-based extractions. A common alcohol extraction solvent is Everclear, which is very convenient and easy to use.
Using A Second-Flush Method
You can create two tinctures with a single starting material by using a heated alcohol-based extraction process. This technique involves placing a mason jar in a water bath heated to 170° F (76° C). During this process, the alcohol will evaporate, capturing all of the beneficial compounds from the plant. This method is recommended for the first pot tincture.
High-proof alcohol is used for making tinctures, so the cannabinoids from feminized sativa seeds harvests are more easily dissolved in the liquid. Although isopropyl alcohol isn’t food-grade, grain alcohol or Everclear is. A second-flush method allows the cannabinoids to dissipate more easily. It is also a good idea to use high-proof alcohol for the tincture, which will prevent it from causing a bitter or harsh aftertaste.
The tincture wash should have a golden or clear color. Then, the tincture can be stored in a freezer for up to two weeks. Once cooled, it can be strained and transferred to dropper bottles. It is best to use a dropper bottle for easy dosing. There are many different tincture recipes on the internet, so you can find one that suits your needs.
Shelf Life Of A Tincture
Among the many products available for sale, tincture has one of the longest shelf lives, lasting anywhere from months to years. This type of product is commonly referred to as medical weeds and covers almost every product made from the plant. Cannabinoid tinctures typically have the longest shelf lives, with some oils lasting up to two years. Regardless of how much time you give your tincture, it’s important to store it properly to maintain its potency.
To determine the shelf life of a tincture, the method of extraction was examined. Some studies have found that THC concentrations decreased by approximately 20% after two hours of heating at 70 degC. In addition, heating tinctures at 80 degC for 20 minutes had no effect on decarboxylation, and only changed the pattern of the tincture moderately. In these studies, the tincture was able to withstand three months of shelf life, but the effects of light and oxygen were largely ignored.
