CBD isolate is the purest form of CBD oil available, even purer than Crystal Resistant CBD Distillate. Because CBD isolate is so pure, some manufacturers create broad-spectrum CBD by first creating CBD isolate and then combining it with other hemp compounds. This is because they understand that the distillation process for CBD isolate ensures that only the cannabidiol compound is present.
The refining of hemp to produce CBD isolate is very similar to that of Crystal Resistant Distillate. CBD isolate is only refined because it is processed for much longer than Crystal Resistant Distillate, resulting in a CBD content of nearly 100 percent. This far exceeds the purity level of Crystal Resistant CBD Distillate, which ranges from 80 to 90 percent.
CBD isolate is not available in oil form due to how much it is refined, but rather in powder form. It is typically a white powder that can be used sublingually by placing it under your tongue before swallowing.
Isolates, like Crystal Resistant CBD Distillate, are odorless and tasteless. Due to the lack of other hemp compounds in the product, there is no entourage effect.
Because most drug tests look for THC, which CBD isolate contains none, using CBD isolate is a great way to completely eliminate the risk of failing a drug test.
Is there a difference between CBD distillate and CBD oil?
CBD distillates have the same physical properties as CBD oils. Both have a similar color and crystallize depending on the product’s potency. The product’s crystallization also indicates that you’re getting high-quality Crystal Resistant Distillate or oil.
“All Crystal Resistant CBD Distillate are oils, but not all CBD oils are distillates,” says the catch. Yes, you read that correctly.
The thing is, Crystal Resistant Distillate is made up of only the therapeutic cannabinoid – CBD, with all other compounds consistently removed, making it pure and extremely versatile. It can be consumed on its own or as a base for other CBD products.
Many CBD oils on the market do not go through the same refinery processes as CBD distillate and contain compounds such as terpenes and flavonoids. The presence of these additional compounds determines whether or not a CBD product is pure distillate.
How to Make a CBD Concentrate
The method of extracting CBD from a hemp plant and purifying it to create Crystal Resistant Distillate varies by manufacturer.
Many people use a solvent-based method for extraction, which involves using liquid solvents such as carbon dioxide (CO2) or ethanol. Others extract cannabis without the use of solvents. To extract the desired compounds, the solvent-free process employs either extreme rinsing or pressure techniques.
Choosing the Best CBD Distillation Equipment
The purity and consistency of the final product are determined by the Crystal Resistant Distillate equipment used. You can use several types of Crystal Resistant CBD Distillate equipment, each with a different degree of temperature, separation rate, final yield, and cost. Let’s look at some of the most common.
Distillation of thin films
Thin-film distillation necessitates the use of durable glassware, strong seals, and vacuum pumps. It forms a thin layer of oil on an evaporative surface, increasing surface area and lowering the risk of cannabinoid damage from heat.
Distillation of wiped film
This setup has a higher separating ability than falling film distillation and is appropriate for individuals looking to increase the potency of the final product.
Distillation of a falling film
Falling film distillation is ideal for removing more volatile substances such as solvents (ethanol) or terpenes due to its poor separation ability.
Distillation via a short path
This configuration improves performance and shortens the distance that CBD vapors travel before evaporation. It is ideal for those looking for a cannabinoid-only distillate. Separation is precise, but it takes several passes.
Method based on solvents: CO2 extraction vs. Ethanol extraction
CO2 and food-grade ethanol are both effective solvents for CBD extraction from hemp plants. Furthermore, unlike other solvents, CO2 and ethanol leave only minor traces on the final product after extraction.
CO2 must first be frozen into a liquid before it can be used. The liquid CO2 is then converted into a “supercritical” state by exposing it to a specific amount of heat and pressure. CO2 is both liquid and gas in this state, making it ideal for extracting cannabinoids from hemp plants.
Because of its high polarity, ethanol, a concentrated form of the alcohol found in alcoholic beverages, is effective for extraction. While the extraction process for ethanol is very similar to that of CO2, each option has its own set of advantages and disadvantages.
For example, ethanol is both safe and powerful in food processing. Because of its strength, it is ideal for quickly extracting CBD. On the downside, its high polarity can cause it to dissolve water and oil molecules if not used properly. As a result, the finished product may attract chlorophyll and have a grassy or earthy flavor that consumers may find unpleasant.
CO2 extraction is slower, but it is safer, cleaner, and more environmentally friendly. On the negative side, the extraction process may result in the loss of some beneficial secondary cannabinoids and medicinal terpenes.
CBD distillate manufacturing
While CO2 and ethanol extraction are efficient, they do leave traces on the extracted product. To remove these traces and other impurities, the extracted product must still be refined at the molecular level through distillation.
After distillation, the finished product contains only cannabinoids and terpenes. The higher the purity, the longer the distillation process. The distillation process typically consists of the following steps.
Winterization
The first step in removing impurities from extracted CBD oil is the winterization process. It is accomplished by pouring the extracted content into an ethanol-containing container and chilling it for two days. The goal is for the impurities to solidify, becoming heavy and settling at the bottom of the container.
The ethanol and solidified impurities are filtered out of the CBD after winterization. The filtered CBD is then heated to create a vapor that is fed through a cooling tube. The liquid that drips out of the cooling tube is a pure distillate.
This process can be repeated several times to purify the CBD oil even further.
Decarboxylation
Decarboxylation occurs after the entire winterization process. It aids in the production of hemp distillate by activating inactive hemp cannabinoids.
Heat activates the hemp cannabinoids, but it also removes many of the heat-sensitive terpenes from the extract. On the plus side, it removes earthy flavors from the solution, making the extract flavorless and more appealing to many people.
Distillation
To remove any excess or unwanted compounds from the solution, steam distillation or fractional distillation is used as the final step. By the end of the process, the CBD oil may have a purity of more than 90%.
Crystal Resistant CBD Distillate appearance and feel – What is the best way to tell if my distillate is pure?
Pure Crystal Resistant Distillate is a viscous liquid that crystallizes at room temperature, depending on the extraction method. It should be golden and yellowish in color, similar to store-bought honey. The solid CBD distillate resembles pure honey that has crystallized. CBD distillate should be thick, smooth, and oily as a liquid.
Lipids are no longer present in the final product due to the intensive refinery process, plant compounds, and other impurities such as waxes. As a result, your CBD distillate should be tasteless and odorless. Look for a transparent distillate that allows you to see through it. Cloudy Crystal Resistant CBD Distillate are almost certainly impure.
Making your consumption stand out – the best ways to use CBD distillate
CBD distillates are a multipurpose CBD product due to their purity. CBD at high concentrations can be incorporated into a wide range of CBD products on the market, including:
CBD topicals and skin care products
CBD distillates are easily infused into skin-care products and ointments by companies. Because of CBD’s anti-inflammatory properties, these topicals are ideal for treating pain and swelling.
Products for dabbing and vaping
Vaping or dabbing CBD distillate is probably the most convenient way to consume it. The vapor is odorless and tasteless (unless you use flavored varieties), and its effects are felt almost immediately.
Edibles
It’s never been easier to make CBD-infused edibles. Crystal Resistant CBD Distillate undergoes decarboxylation, which activates the cannabinoid. Furthermore, it has no taste or odor, so your edibles will not have an earthy or hemp-like flavor.
Tinctures containing CBD
Tinctures are alcohol-based CBD products that are convenient to use and preferred by older cannabis users. All you have to do is combine your CBD distillate with high-proof alcohol over low heat while exercising caution.