Hashish, commonly known as hash, is a cannabis derivative made from the female flowers, specifically focusing on the trichomes of the plant. It’s a potent form of marijuana that has been used for centuries in many cultures around the world. It can be consumed in a variety of ways, including smoking and vaping. In this article, we’ll discuss what hash is and how to consume it effectively so you get the most out of your experience.

What is Hash?

Hash is a type of cannabis concentrate that is made from the kief(trichomes and other very fine plant material) and oils of the cannabis flowers. It is known for it’s high levels of THC and flavor. It can also be used in edibles, topicals and tinctures. Depending on the method used to produce it, hashish can possess different characteristics such as color, texture and taste. Usually it comes in a dark green or brown color and smells of an earthy spice though. In general, it can be quite potent and has a strong flavor that is not found in just flower, though less potent than most other concentrates. One of the reasons it’s so popular is that it’s quite easy to make. Humans have a long history with cannabis, and hash is part of that.

Short History of Hash

Hash has an extensive background of usage in various nations in the Middle East and Asia, including Morocco, Egypt, Afghanistan, Pakistan, India, Nepal, Iran and Lebanon. As it gained popularity throughout Europe, it made its way across the Atlantic Ocean and into North America with 19th-century immigrants. In modern times, cannabis users are drawn to the potency of it when consumed and because of its versatility. Hashish has seen a small surge in demand among recreational and medicinal marijuana communities alike over recent years.

According to Wikipedia, it is believed that hashish had been consumed for centuries before its first documented use in 1123 CE, when a pamphlet was circulated throughout Cairo claiming Nizari Muslims were “hashish-eaters”. Though there is no concrete evidence of this “century long” historic practice before this document, it is widely considered to be true.

How to make Hashish

The potent trichomes of cannabis plants are used to produce hashish. To extract the resin glands, female buds are first dried and cured before they’re passed through a fine-mesh sieve that eliminates unnecessary plant matter. The resulting trichomes, and small amounts of other plant matter, are then compressed into a hash brick, which you can break pieces off to smoke, vaporize or prepare it to be made into an edible for consumption.

If you feel like making your own hashish, there are many options to choose from. For example, a four-piece grinder with mesh screens will selectively extract trichomes and only the finest of plant matter. Save up a bunch of this in a jar in a cool, dark and dry area. Trust me on this. Once you have enough you can press it into hash. Alternatively, freeze the flower buds overnight and sift out all resin glands using a silk screen. Additionally, bubble hash can be created through ice water extraction which separates plant material from its precious trichomes! https://honestmarijuana.com/ice-water-extraction/

Once you have your trichomes(kief) separated then you need to press them into hash. This needs to be done with some pressure and a little bit of heat.

Crafting hashish is an art form that takes time to master and be able to use it optimally. There isn’t a definitive “right” way of producing it; rather, the process depends on your flavor preference and what you want the final product to look like. Once you get some practice you’ll be making hash like the pros.

Consumption Methods of Hash

The main way today to consume hash is most likely to smoke it. Many people will add it to their joints or their bowls. In addition to smoking hash, there are other ways to consume it as well such as vaping or making edibles. Vaping requires an electronic device that heats up hashish and releases vaporized cannabinoids which can be inhaled. Edibles involve mixing hash into food items such as brownies or cookies in order to enjoy its effects orally. I’ll break down the different methods.

Smoking Hash

Smoking hash is one of the most common ways to consume hashish. To do so, you’ll need to find a pipe or bong and put a bed of cannabis then a small piece of hash. After packing it into your smoking device, light it and inhale the smoke that is produced through the mouthpiece. Basically you can smoke it like normal. Sometimes I put more weed on top to sandwich it.

Another way is twaxing your joint. Basically putting a “hash snake” into your joint like the below.

My twisted hash snake

When smoking hash, it’s important to ensure that you don’t overconsume as this can result in a heightened level of intoxication. To avoid this, start off with small amounts and take breaks often when smoking. It can also be helpful to choose strains with lower levels of THC if you’re seeking milder effects. Don’t play with concentrates. They bite back lol.

Vaping Hash

Vaping hash requires an electronic device such as a vaporizer, which heats it and releases vaporized cannabinoids that can be inhaled. Unlike smoking hash, vaping it does not produce smoke, so it is generally seen as a safer and healthier alternative. As vaping is new, more research needs to be done.

When vaping, make sure to use the correct temperature setting for your device so that the cannabinoids can be effectively extracted. Too low of temperature will result in a weak vapor while too high of temperature can burn the hash and cause harsh flavors or smells. The ideal temperature range for vaping is usually from 200-400 degrees Fahrenheit.

Eating hash

Eating hashish is an efficient way to get the desired effects without having to smoke or vape. The easiest way to consume hash is by adding it to food or drink. It can also be mixed with butter or oil and added to recipes like brownies, cookies, cakes and more. You can make it into hashish oil, which can then be added to hot beverages like tea or coffee. You can use it just the same as weed to make edibles or, because its more potent you can make it, a showcase taste of the treats.

It’s important to be aware that hash has a very strong taste, so it may not be suitable for everyone’s palate. Don’t expect your hash cookies to taste like peanut butter or chocolate.

When consuming hash this way, start with a very small amount and gradually increase as needed. Additionally, it must be heated(decarboxylated) in order for the cannabinoids within it to activate, so make sure you do not add cold, un-activated hash directly into your recipe. Here’s an article on how to use your hash in your cooking.

Remember that edibles can take awhile to kick in, so wait at least 2 hours before eating more.

Conclusion

Hashish is a versatile and potent cannabis product that can be consumed in many ways. It has a long, important history in some cultures.

It’s of the easiest concentrates to make. This allows it to stay popular even with more potent concentrates. Whether you want to smoke hash, vape it or use hash to make edibles, there are plenty of options available depending on your preferences. Smoking hash is one of the most common methods for consuming hash, but vaping and eating it also have their own unique advantages. Whichever method you choose, always remember to start with small amounts. Hashish is potent stuff. Happy smoking!