We have often heard hash and pollen spoken of as if they were interchangeable, as though they were the same product, but this is not entirely true. Both are obtained from cannabis, specifically from the resin trichomes that cover CBD flower or cannabis buds. Find out how they are obtained, their characteristics and the different ways each one is used. And if you want to get straight to buying, we have gathered the options in our comparison of the best CBD hash.
Hash and pollen: are they the same? Differences and similarities
The main difference between hash and pollen is that “pollen” is the colloquial name given to this resin when it comes away from the plant, without being treated or pressed in any way. Hash, on the other hand, is the result of compacting that pollen into a hash slab or a ball.
Characteristic | Pollen | Hash |
|---|---|---|
Processing | Minimal (dry sifting) | Pressed with heat and pressure |
Texture | Loose, grainy powder | Dense and malleable |
Colour | Golden / light yellow | From brown to golden or black |
Concentration | Medium | Higher (compacted resin) |
Storage | Shorter | Longer (a slab keeps longer) |
How are hash and pollen obtained?
The resin of female cannabis flowers
The cannabis plant, once it has flowered – that is, developed its flowers or buds – is covered in resin glands, also known as trichomes. The cannabis plant has different types of trichomes, which cover almost the whole plant, but the ones we are interested in are the glandular trichomes, which secrete the plant’s magic substances. These trichomes are especially concentrated in the female flowers of cannabis plants, and they are packed with cannabinoids and terpenes in high concentrations. This resin is highly valued by users, both medicinally and recreationally, for its properties and effects. It is from this resin that both pollen and hash are extracted.
Pollen in male cannabis plants
By contrast, male cannabis plants do produce pollen, but in this case the word is used in its proper botanical sense: microscopic grains carrying the male genetic material (sperm cells) for the reproduction of flowering plants. When it comes to cannabis, however, male plants are of no interest, because they do not produce flowers with a large amount of trichomes or resin, and because if they fertilise the female plants, the buds will be full of seeds.
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What is cannabis pollen?
So cannabis pollen is simply the product obtained when the trichomes (rich in resin) come away from the female cannabis flowers, either naturally or by force, and its appearance is reminiscent of “pollen”.
The most traditional way of obtaining pollen is by forcing the trichomes to come away. To do this, a sieve or mesh is used: the dried flowers, once harvested, are placed on it and shaken, usually with the help of a stick or rod. In this way the trichomes are sifted through as a powder or pollen, hence the name. Internationally, this resin powder is known as kief (or kif); in Morocco, however, kif traditionally referred to the mixture of chopped cannabis and tobacco that was smoked.
Is pollen the same as kief?
Yes, in practice they are the same product: dry-sifted trichome powder. Internationally it is known as kief (also kif or keef), and in Spain it is colloquially called polen, pollen.
In general, pollen is considered to be of better quality when it has been sifted only lightly and comes from the first shakes on the mesh – the first powder to fall – because it usually contains less plant matter. The quality of hash also depends on the genetics of the plant, the harvesting method and the quality of the trichomes. At Cannactiva, we only use the pollen from our Premium CBD Flower to make our hash.
Another traditional way of extracting pollen is the Charas method, popular in India and Nepal, which simply involves rubbing the cannabis flowers between your hands (either on the living plant or once the flowers have dried) so that the resin sticks to them.
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How do you make pollen with a grinder?
An easy home method for extracting pollen from buds is to use a grinder. The grinder is a tool widely used by regular cannabis users, because it helps to grind and break up the buds finely.
When the cannabis buds are very resinous, as well as grinding the flowers, the grinder will also cause some of that resin to come away, so once we have taken the ground flower out of the grinder, we will be left with resin powder – that is, pollen – in the compartment underneath.
How is cannabis pollen used?
Pollen consists of small grains of resin-filled trichomes that look like a coarse powder. It has traditionally been used as a topping or addition when rolling a cannabis joint or a hash joint. Pollen is used in different ways: inside the joint, mixed with the tobacco, or even mixed with cannabis flower for more aroma and potency. Another way is to coat the outside of the joint with pollen, or to mix it into a pipe.
What is hash?
Once the pollen has been extracted from the cannabis flowers, we can compact it so that it holds together better and keeps better, as the resin keeps better and for longer in a slab. When we do this, we are making hash, because, as we have been saying, hash is the result of pressing pollen, or kief.
How is hash made?
There are several ways of pressing pollen to make hash. Heat is usually applied, for example with a lighter, as it helps the pollen to compact so it can be shaped however you like. The process is normally laborious and takes time and patience. In places such as Afghanistan, as well as heat, a liquid such as water or tea is used to help work the resin and thicken it. That is why the pressing is followed by drying (which can last weeks or months, and for which animal skins are often used), which helps the liquid evaporate.
Depending on the origin of the cannabis, the extraction method, the type of pressing (and drying) or the final form, we can find several types of hash. The best known by origin are Moroccan, Afghan, Nepalese, Lebanese and Indian hash.
Depending on the processing method, we can find Dry Hash, Dry Sift, Charas, Apaleado, Rosin, Ice-O-Lator, Fresh Frozen, Bubble Hash or BHO and its variants. And depending on the type of pressing and the final form, we can come across slabs (or bars), balls, acorn-shaped pieces or what is known as pollen hash. You can find out more in our post on cannabis extraction methods.
What is pollen hash?
Pollen hash is a lightly compacted type of hash. Although, as we have seen, strictly speaking pollen is the resin that comes away from the flower, a certain type of hash is also called pollen. This is because it is usually a lightly pressed hash in which you can still make out the grains of resin. Also, when you break it up, these grains come away easily, and it is easier to crumble and break apart than other, more heavily pressed hash.
Other differences between hash and pollen
How they are used
Just as we have explained that pollen is used as a “topping” for joints, with slab or acorn-shaped hash the method is slightly different. The main problem with hash, when it comes to using it, is its density, which makes it hard to burn, and that is why it has traditionally been mixed with tobacco or cannabis to help it light. There are other ways of using hash, such as pipes or shishas.
To use hash on its own, without mixing it with anything, you can use vaporizers for concentrates such as the PAX Plus. If you prefer, it can be taken orally by cooking the hash (to decarboxylate the cannabinoids) with some food to make it easier to ingest.
Cannabinoid content
The cannabinoid content of hash and pollen can vary depending on several factors, including the cannabis strain used and the production methods. In general, hash has a more concentrated cannabinoid profile, with higher levels of THC compared with pollen. This is because hash is produced by extracting and compressing the cannabinoid-rich resin, which increases the concentration of these compounds, such as tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and cannabidiol (CBD). However, the cannabinoid profile can vary depending on the strain and the extraction process used to produce the hash.
In fact, in the production of CBD hash, even though it is made from CBD flower (with a THC content below 0.3%), the result is sometimes a product with high THC levels, because the active compounds become concentrated. That is why, commercially, that hash sometimes has to be washed so that it loses its THC content and can be sold legally.
Pollen, on the other hand, generally contains a lower concentration of THC and other cannabinoids than hash, although there can be variations depending on the extraction method and the genetics of the plant used.
Terpene content
Because it is more concentrated, hash contains more terpenes and therefore intensifies the aromas of cannabis further, so they will be more powerful than those of CBD flower. In addition, hash contains the terpene hashishene, formed from myrcene. This aromatic compound is what gives hash its characteristic smell.
Is pollen purer than hash?
At source they are equally pure: hash is pollen to which heat and pressure have been applied. What changes is the texture and the concentration, not where the resin comes from.
How can you tell whether pollen or hash is good quality?
Look at the aroma (intense and fresh), an even colour and the absence of plant matter; good hash softens with the warmth of your fingers. The most reliable sign is that the product is lab tested.
Hash and pollen: legality and safety go hand in hand
In most countries, the legality of hash and pollen is tied to their THC content, the compound in cannabis that is considered illegal; in some countries, such as the UK, hemp flower and its resin are controlled even when their THC content is low. What many people do not know is that legality is also tied to product contamination: a study of contaminants in Moroccan hash sold on the black market in Spain found alarming levels of *E. coli *contamination (especially in acorn-shaped hash), probably due to the methods used to transport it. The hash slabs analysed, on the other hand, more often contained foreign matter and adulterants. This does not happen with legal (THC-free) hash products, which undergo strict quality controls.
So if you do not know where the hash comes from but want to enjoy the aromas of cannabis, it is probably safer to use legal hash.
If you still have questions and want to learn more about hash, we recommend taking a look at our complete guide to hash. Everything you want to know is there!
Which is better, hash or pollen? How to choose
There is no universal winner: it depends on what you are looking for. Pollen is the least processed option, with a loose texture that is easy to measure out by sprinkling it, ideal if you prefer something more natural and easy to handle. Hash concentrates the resin more and keeps better, so it is the one to choose if you want intense aromas and a product that lasts. Either way, with legal products the priority is the origin and quality of the resin: in our comparison of the best CBD hash you will find a lab-tested selection with THC below 0.3%.
Whichever you choose, it is worth storing your hash properly so that it keeps its properties. And remember that there are many types of hash – from bubble hash to iceolator – and that so-called blond pollen or blond hash is another of the most sought-after.
Differences between pollen and hash (frequently asked questions)
Which is stronger, pollen or hash?
Hash and pollen are similar products with similar effects and potency (which depend on the cannabis used to extract them). However, in general hash, being more pressed and compacted, tends to be more concentrated and will therefore usually be somewhat more potent than pollen.
What are the differences between hash and pollen?
As we have seen, both are types of cannabis extraction. In essence they are the same product, but they are made and processed differently. Hash is more pressed and compacted than pollen, and it is also usually stronger, both in flavour and in effect. Pollen is usually lighter in colour (yellowish or amber), while hash is a darker brown or even almost black.
Which is better, pollen or hash?
They come from the same product, so in principle there should be no difference in quality. However, hash is more likely to be adulterated, mixed with other substances or to contain plant matter, which is why some growers prefer pollen, as it is a purer product.
How much does a gram of pollen cost?
The price of a gram of pollen can vary a great deal depending on where it comes from, the strain it comes from or the extraction method used. In Spain, prices usually range from €6 to €10 per gram.
