Hemp Storage: How to Keep Your Flower Lasting Longer
Did you know that hemp flower provides a highly bioavailable way to enjoy your favorite hemp cannabinoids and terpenes without any kind of processing or added ingredients of any kind? Well, now you do. The raw buds of the hemp plant, whether or not infused with psychoactive cannabinoid distillates, make us feel like we’re experiencing the plant as nature intended. Still, one thing that we need to be aware of when choosing hemp flower is that because it’s fresh and raw, it needs to be stored properly. How come? Well, so it doesn’t end up expiring before we are done enjoying it.
But Does Hemp Flower Really “Expire”?
Flower does expire, but not in the way that you may think. When we hear the word “expire:, we tend think of something in the fridge going bad, and even becoming harmful to eat or drink. Flower doesn’t go bad in this way, but what does happen is that the property-rich chemical compounds break down eventually, and this causes them to lose all effectiveness, not to mention flavor.
Generally, flower is good for about 6 months, give or take. After that, it quickly becomes useless. However, if you don’t store your flower properly, then it can expire even more quickly than that.
Signs Your CBD Hemp Flower Has Not Been Properly Stored
Below are some general indicators that your flower may not have been stored properly or simply has started to change for the worse.
Sign #1: Loss of Color
If your CBD hemp flower has lost color or has patches of dark discoloration bordered by fuzzy white outlines then it most likely has not been properly stored and is not safe to use. Not only is the effectiveness and potency possibly compromised, but it may contain mold and/or mildew that can be harmful – more on that coming up.
Sign #2: Change of Scent
If your CBD hemp flower has suddenly developed an unappealing or different scent, it has most likely not been stored properly. This is often due to excess moisture and leads to the development of mold and/or mildew. Consuming this CBD hemp can be dangerous to the user’s overall health.
Sign #3: Visible Mold or Mildew
If your CBD hemp flower has developed a loss or change of color and/or a change of scent then check for mold or mildew. Consuming CBD hemp with mold or mildew can be dangerous. It should be disposed of immediately. It is nearly impossible to tell whether or not leaves without obvious signs of mold or mildew damage also contain these contaminants, and therefore, the entire nugget should be disposed of properly.
Sign #4: Coating of Terpenes on Storage Containers
If you notice there’s a coating of trichomes (the oils in the flower that maintain the effectiveness and potency of CBD) on the inside of the storage container, you might be improperly storing your CBD hemp flower. This often happens when the flower is stored in plastic bags rather than airtight containers, like the Boveda CVault or mason jars.
What Should You Do Then in Order to Keep Your Hemp Flower Fresh?
Flower buds are a bit more finicky because the buds are much fresher than hemp extract, which has been processed in a way that keeps the compounds stable for longer. But, these storage tips will pretty much guarantee that your flower lasts for several months while promising a fresh flavor and the potency level you want.
Tip #1: Avoid Heat
Exposure to heat quickly leads to compound destabilization, which is why you want to keep your flower cool at all times. There’s no need to put your flower in the refrigerator, but make sure it remains at room temperature or just slightly below at all times. Keep flower away from heating vents, windows that get a good deal of sun, and rooms in the house that are prone to getting particularly hot in the summer.
Tip #2: Humidity is Your Hemp Flower’s Enemy
Humidity, like heat, will destabilize the compounds in your flower pretty quickly, causing them to lose both their potency and their freshness. Humidity is always bad for organic compounds, but with flower, there’s an even bigger potential issue since too much moisture can lead to mold, which is actually dangerous. Find a dry area of your house rather than keeping your flower in, say, the bathroom, where the use of the shower causes a lot of moisture to build up throughout the day.
One thing to point out is that flower can also get too dry, and you’ll know just by the texture of the buds. If this happens, stick a lettuce leaf or a damp paper towel into the container holding your flower, as the buds will absorb the amount of moisture that they need.
Tip #3: Store in a Cool and Dark Place
The other element that can damage your flower is light. Exposure to bright light causes the compounds to oxidize quickly. Don’t leave your flower in a sunny windowsill or next to the bright light of a lamp. Overall, a closet, drawer or cabinet is a great choice since it’s dark, dry and cool, acting as the perfect environment for your flower buds.
Tip #4: Keep It Sealed
Flower needs to be kept sealed at all times to maintain its freshness. Either keep it in an airtight jar, container or bag, with a glass jar being ideal since it’s better at maintaining the ideal temperature.
Tip #5: Do Not Overbuy
It’s a common mistake to buy way too much flower when your favorite supplier is offering it on sale. Stocking up on all kinds of strains can seem like a fun idea, until you realize that there’s no way you’ll be able to get through all of that flower in 6 months’ time, leading to a good deal of expired product.
Tip #6: Do Not Leave It Outdoors
Leaving your flower outside is a big no-no. Typically, outdoor environments are prone to drastic changes in temperature, light and humidity, all of which can damage those cannabinoids and terpenes in a matter of days.
Final Tip: Buy Fresh Flower
Always buy your hemp flower from a company that has a strong reputation for their quality products, like here at Nam Wellness. This means that they likely have a high product turnover rate, so that the flower isn’t arriving to you already close to expiring because it’s been sitting in a warehouse for months.