Cannabis sauce is a solvent-extracted concentrate that preserves a high concentration of terpenes, giving it a liquid-like consistency and vibrant flavor. It is often called "living sauce" or "terp sauce" because of its sticky, golden texture. People choose sauce for both its potency and its intense, strain-specific taste.
This guide explains how cannabis sauce is made, its different types, and the best ways to enjoy it.
What Is Cannabis Sauce?
Cannabis sauce is a type of concentrate that contains both THC, CBD, or other cannabinoids and a large amount of terpenes. It is created using a solvent such as butane or propane to strip the trichomes from the plant. The final product is a thick, sticky liquid that ranges from clear amber to deep gold.
How to Buy Cannabis Sauce Online: A Comprehensive Guide
Sauce is distinct from dry concentrates like shatter because it retains more of the plant's natural aromatic oils. The sauce often sits as a liquid layer with crystals.
How Is Cannabis Sauce Made?
Sauce is extracted from fresh or cured cannabis using a closed-loop system. The solvent separates the compounds, and then the mixture is purged in a vacuum oven. Producers may use a "diamond mining" process to separate THCa diamonds from the sauce.
- Extraction: Solvent passes through cannabis, pulling out cannabinoids and terpenes.
- Purging: The solvent is removed through heat and vacuum.
- Separation: Terpenes form the saucy fraction, while THCa crystallizes into diamonds.
The ratio of diamonds to sauce varies by batch. Some sauce products are mostly liquid, with small diamond formations.
Cannabis Sauce vs. Live Resin vs. Shatter
Sauce differs from live resin because live resin uses fresh frozen plants, while regular sauce can be made from cured buds. But you can also find "live sauce," which combines both methods.
Shatter is a brittle, glass-like concentrate with low terpene content. Sauce is runny and terpene-heavy, providing a stronger aroma and flavor.
How to Consume Cannabis Sauce
The best method for consuming cannabis sauce is dabbing with a rig, e-nail, or dab pen. Start with a rice-sized amount.
- Heat the nail or coil to a low temperature, around 315-450°F.
- Apply the sauce to the hot surface.
- Inhale through the rig slowly.
You can also top a bowl of flower with a small drop of sauce. This adds a terpene kick to your smoke.
Does Cannabis Sauce Get You High?
Yes, cannabis sauce can contain up to 80-90% total cannabinoids, including THCa. When heated, THCa converts to THC and produces a strong psychoactive effect.
Because it is potent, individuals new to concentrates should start low and go slow.
Buying Cannabis Sauce
At legal dispensaries, sauce is sold in small glass jars with labels listing the THC and terpene percentages. Ask the budtender for a strain that suits your desired effects. Store sauce away from light and heat to preserve its texture.
Final Notes
Cannabis sauce is a flavorful, high-potency extract for concentrate enthusiasts. Its aroma and effects vary by strain and terpene profile.