Have you successfully harvested and dried your plant? Then take the next step and ferment your cannabis. Many people skip this step and smoke the dried buds directly. However, if you want your buds to rival those from coffee shops and be of a higher quality, cure the harvest after drying so that it takes on a more intense flavor and can be stored for a long time. But fermenting cannabis – how does it work? We explain that here in our blog article.
You can find out how to grow successfully in the Bonsanto Mini Grow Box in our Bonsanto growing instructions.
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Why ferment cannabis?
Fermenting cannabis, also known as curing in English-speaking countries, refers to the controlled storage and curing process of your harvest. If you ferment your buds after drying, this not only leads to a higher quality of your buds and a delicious taste when smoking, but also makes the smoking experience milder and prevents a scratchy throat. When cannabis is fermented, the previously non-psychoactive THC is converted into psychoactive THC. If you do not ferment your harvest, your buds will lose flavor and THC content. This happens due to exposure to light and too high or low humidity during normal storage and skipping fermentation.
During curing, the humidity is therefore specifically controlled and exposure to light is prevented. Fermenting cannabis means that your dried buds also dry completely inside, as this has often not yet happened completely after drying. Fermenting cannabis also breaks down chlorophyll, which makes smoking a scratchy affair and is therefore very unpopular with most smokers and growers.
What are the benefits of cannabis fermentation?
Fermented buds are more delicious in smell and taste and bring a mild smoking experience. Have you ever smoked cannabis that was pungent and scratchy? Then this is most likely due to the fact that this cannabis was not fermented. Another advantage of cannabis fermentation is that after curing, the harvest can be stored for a long period of time without mold forming. This means that you do not have to consume your harvest straight away, but can store it for several weeks without any problems. Cannabis fermentation also reduces the development of anxiety when smoking, as cured buds contain more cannabinoids than non-fermented buds.
When can curing be started?
But enough theory – now it’s about the practice of fermenting cannabis. As mentioned above, you must first harvest your buds and dry them as usual. Only then can you start fermenting. You can use a drying case for drying, for example. If the small flowers of the harvest can be easily broken off, this is the optimal time to stop drying and start curing the buds. It usually takes between three and seven days to dry the harvest.
What is needed to ferment cannabis?
Fermenting cannabis cleanly and properly takes practice – but don’t worry! Here we explain everything you need to know to ensure an enjoyable smoking experience.
To cure the buds, you need a container that you can seal airtight, a hygrometer to measure the humidity and a little patience. The container should be made of metal or glass, as these materials, unlike plastic, do not change the smell and taste of your buds. The Miron storage container from Bonsanto, for example, is a container that is ideal for fermentation. This container is made of violet glass and is impermeable to air and light. This is important because curing must take place either in a dark place or in an opaque container, as light reduces the THC content in your harvest and this must of course be avoided.
How does cannabis fermentation work?
Now your buds should be dried in an airtight container until the correct humidity is reached. Place the buds together with the hygrometer in your chosen container. Close it and check the humidity in the container a few hours later. Ideally, the humidity should be between 60 and 65% so that the curing process can start.
If the humidity is higher than 65%, the buds are not dry enough and the curing process cannot yet begin. Simply open the container and allow your harvest to continue drying with the lid open. By ventilating, the excessively moist air escapes and oxygen can enter the container. Keep ventilating until the humidity is below 65%. You can then close the container again to allow your harvest to cure. Check the humidity regularly and ventilate whenever the humidity is higher than 65%. In the first few days after starting the curing process, it is common to have to ventilate several times a day, as the humidity in the container will still be very high at the beginning.
If the humidity is higher than 70%, airing is no longer sufficient and you should remove the flowers from the jar for around one to two hours.
If the humidity is less than 55%, there is a risk that the buds will become too brittle. In this case, you should always keep the container or jar closed so that the humidity rises. You can also place a humidity bag in the container to speed up the process.
The selected container should only be filled up to 3/4 full so that your flowers have room and there is some air at the top.
You should also check your buds every day for mold growth and redistribute them regularly in the container to prevent mold deposits from forming in damp areas.
Would you like to ferment your harvest?
Then discover our Bonsanto products for successful fermentation now.
How can optimum humidity be maintained?
To maintain the right humidity for cannabis fermentation in your jar, you can use the Boveda Hygro-Pack bag from Bonsanto. Simply place the bag with your buds in the jar or your Miron storage container. Depending on the humidity, the Boveda Hygro bag will either release or absorb water vapor. This regulates the humidity in your container and saves you from having to air the container. The bag can be used for around six months. As soon as the pack feels solid, you should dispose of it.
When can cannabis fermentation be stopped?
Theoretically, you can ferment your cannabis for as long as you like. The important thing is that your buds are cured for at least two weeks. We recommend a curing time of seven to eight weeks, as your buds will then be of coffeeshop quality and the taste and smell will be unsurpassable when smoked.
Fermenting cannabis will be worth it!
