What is Cannabis Freeze Drying?

Freeze-drying happens when the solvent (usually water) and/or suspension medium is crystallized at a low temperature and removed by sublimation (the direct transition from a solid state to gaseous state without melting). Technical term for this process is Lyophilization but the process itself is more known as Freeze drying.

Three Stages of Freeze Drying Cannabis

Freeze drying process can be divided to three stages: freezing, sublimation drying, and desorption drying.
The freezing phase is the most important part of the freeze-drying process. Rapid freezing is critical and eliminates the formation of large ice crystals, which could deteriorate product quality.

• Deep-freeze:  cannabis buds freeze down to – 5°C or lower.
• Sublimation:  during this process solid ice turns straight to water vapor, skipping the liquid phase. A vacuum pump at this phase sucks out the water vapor.
• Desoprtion drying:  product is returned to room temp (21-26°C), taking the last bit of water content out of the buds.

Benefits of Freeze Drying Cannabis

The most important benefits of freeze drying cannabis are:

• Retention of cannabinoids and terpenes (preserves up to 97% of cannabinoids, ensuring that the THC, CBD, and other beneficial compounds remain intact)
• Increase in terpene content and colors (freeze drying maintains the rich aroma and flavor profiles of the cannabis)
• Production speed/efficiency
• Less facility space for drying
• No size loss in freeze dried product
• Limiting and reducing microbial content (process prevents the growth of mold and bacteria)
• Freeze dried product can be stored for 3-6 months (without losing its potency).

Traditional drying and curing processes typically takes 2-6 weeks or more and it does have excellents results, although the time it takes is very long.
One of the most important benefits of freeze-dried cannabis is the increase in terpenes and cannabinoids.

Freeze-dried flower is 15% more potent than traditionaly dried flower. Low temperatures of freeze dryer helps reduce the loss of volatile terpenes and prevent the cannabinoids chemically altering, while it is effectively preserving the active ingredients of the flower.
This method is ideal for preserving the delicate trichomes and cannabinoids that give cannabis its potency and flavor.