It is distinguished by two key factors:

1. "Live" (Fresh-Frozen Source Material): The starting plant material is fresh-frozen immediately after harvest, rather than being dried and cured. This preserves the plant's full profile of volatile terpenes, resulting in a highly flavorful and aromatic extract.

2. Solventless Extraction: The concentrate is made using a rosin press, which applies controlled heat and pressure to the fresh-frozen material (often after it has been refined into bubble hash). The resulting hot, oily extract is the live rosin.

When dried and cured cannabis is used instead of fresh-frozen material, the final product is simply called "rosin."

Distinguishing Live Rosin from Live Resin

Both "live rosin" and "live resin" use fresh-frozen cannabis, but they differ fundamentally in their extraction methods:

Feature

Live Rosin

Live Resin

Extraction Method

Solventless (Heat and Pressure)

Solvent-based (Butane, Propane, etc.)

Source Material

Fresh-frozen cannabis (often refined hash)

Fresh-frozen cannabis flower

Typical Cost

Generally higher (due to labor-intensive, hand-made process)

Generally lower (due to chemical, closed-loop extraction)

In summary, the term "live" indicates that the starting plant was fresh-frozen to maximize terpene retention, while the word that follows (rosin or resin) defines the method of extraction. Both are consumed, typically by dabbing, but live rosin commands a higher price point due to its solventless nature and the specialized, often handmade process.

Live Rosin Consistency: Fresh Press vs. Cold Cure

Two common forms of live rosin are determined by how the final product is handled:

• Fresh Press Live Rosin: This is the rosin immediately after it has been pressed. It often has a transparent, shatter-like, or glassy consistency.

• Cold Cure Live Rosin: This product is created by pressing the rosin and then allowing it to "age" or cure in a cool environment (like a refrigerator or freezer). This process alters the oil's structure.

The main difference lies in stability. Cold cure rosin is more stable at room temperature—meaning it is less likely to rapidly change color, consistency, or flavor. To best preserve the volatile terpenes and quality of either variety, all live rosin should be kept cold.