Hemp flower is a valuable and versatile product, often used for wellness, relaxation, and therapeutic benefits. However, if not stored and used properly, it can degrade in quality, losing its potency, flavor, and effectiveness over time. To ensure you get the most out of your hemp flower, follow these best practices for storage, handling, and consumption.
- Proper Storage Technique
Preserving your hemp flower is very important so as to maintain the quality of the same in the best way possible. It is also affected by air, light, heat, and moisture hence its quality will significantly be reduced when exposed to these elements. Here are the following procedures to properly store it:
Use Airtight Containers – Glass containers especially the mason jars with tight screw-on lids are ideal for storing this product. Excess and new material must also very much be avoided, especially those made of plastic bags and containers as these may produce static and really harm the flower’s trichomes. More information can be found at Mr Hemp Flower.
Keep it in a Cool, Dark Place – It is important to store in a cool, dry place away from heat and light as it can compromise hemp flower and deteriorate the cannabinoids like CBD. It needs to be kept in a cupboard, drawer or a particular stash box most preferably in a dry area and free from direct sunlight.
Maintain Proper Humidity Levels – For the kind of humidity the flowers need, it should be expected that they need about 55-62 percent of it. For this reason, using additional sources of humidification such as Boveda or Integra Boost in the container is useful.
Avoid Refrigeration or Freezing – Many people believe that it is wise to store hemp flower in the refrigerator or freezer so that the flower does not go rancid, but actually, what you get is that your flower is either covered in mold or the trichomes become frail and brittle.
- Handle Your Hemp Flower with Care
It is essential to understand that the handling and storage of your hemp flower has an impact on its shelf life. Here are some ideas to maintain it in the best state;
Use Clean Hands or Gloves – The oils from your hands can harm the freshness of the flower by coming into contact with it.
Avoid Overhandling – More often than not, you end up rubbing or touching the trichomes that contain cannabinoids and terpenes.
Use a Grinder Gently – Ensure that in the grinding process, high-quality grinder having a kief catcher will be used. Do not grind a large quantity at a time as ground flower does spoil quickly.
- Control Air Exposure
One of the primary reasons of the quality deterioration of the hemp flower is exposure to air. Here’s how to minimize it:
Limit Opening the Storage Container – Each time you open your jar, fresh air enters, which can speed up the degradation process. Try to take out only what you need and reseal it quickly.
Use Smaller Containers – If you have a large quantity of hemp flower, divide it into smaller jars. This way, you can keep most of it sealed while using only a portion at a time.
- Preserve Aroma and Flavor
Terpenes that are present in the hemp flower for the smell and taste of plants are volatile organic compounds and, therefore, very sensitive to degradation. For further enhanced control of keeping the best taste and smell:
Store in a Glass Jar with a Humidity Pack – Because the terpenes will last longer in a glass jar with a proper moisture level to prevent them from evaporating.
Avoid Plastic and Metal Containers – It has been pointed out that plastic has an inherent chemical that can contaminate the food through its eternal taste and smell, metal containers directly affect the taste of the food.
Keep Away from Strong Odors – Some of the compounds in hemp flower are prone to odor, and should be stored in and with no strong odors interfering so close them away from spices, perfumes, or cleaning products.
- Use Freshness-Preserving Accessories
It takes right equipment enabling the preservation of the hemp flowers for some time to make the right investments.
UV-Protected Glass Jars – Some jars that used for packaging of such products can be made with a UV coated glass to prevent products inside from being exposed to light.
Vacuum-Sealed Containers – These remove excess air and keep your flower fresher for longer.
Humidity Control Packs – These ensure that flowers do not dry up as well as they do not get too wet from the inside. Read this for reference.
- Rotate Your Supply
In large scale production, it will be advisable to use the older lot of hemp flower:
Label Jars with Dates – The different batches should be labeled according to the time when they were bought in order to use the older jars first
Avoid Hoarding Too Much at Once – It is always wrong to order large quantities which end up rotting away before they can be consumed.
Conclusion
Making your hemp flower last longer requires proper storage, careful handling, and efficient consumption methods. By using airtight containers, maintaining optimal humidity, limiting air exposure, and preserving terpenes, you can keep your hemp flower fresh, potent, and enjoyable for a longer period. Following these best practices ensures that you maximize your investment while enjoying the full benefits of hemp flower.