Over the past decade, there has been an increased interest in the market for CBD extracts and other products derived from the (once illegal) cannabis plant. Though cannabis has been used by different civilizations for thousands of years, it wasn’t until recently that the science could effectively revolutionize the way in which the plant is consumed.
As time has gone on, cannabis producers have found ways that consumption can be more efficient, effective, and accessible than ever before. There is still certainly a significant amount of research that needs to be done regarding cannabis and its potential uses for consumers, but there is no doubt that we certainly live in some exciting times.
One of the biggest evolutions that can be seen in the cannabis industry is the increased use of CBD extracts. As the name might imply, an extract is something that makes it possible to isolate the portions of the cannabis plant that consumers want. For example, individuals who only want to consume CBD now have the unique ability to actually do so.
Some of the most popular cannabis products comprise oil, tinctures, salves, creams, gummies and vape juices that are currently heavy in demand. These cannabis products furnish similar remedial properties though the effects may vary with the concentration. However, a large difference transpires through the method being in use for the extraction of cannabis or hemp.
Ethanol Extraction
One of the most popular and old methods for cannabis and hemp extraction is Ethanol extraction. As its name suggests, the ethanol method introduces hemp buds to the ethyl alcohol solution while letting it sit for an hour or so to extract. Later, the solution is boiled to remove certain compounds that are not useful and evaporate at low boiling levels, consequently, leaving you with a pure batch of cannabis or hemp extraction. You can use the products refined from this production method to use in cannabis edibles and topicals, as they would not emit the unusual taste or smell of the hemp.
The method of ethanol extraction steps ahead of the CO2 process in terms of precision and cost. Products obtained from ethanol extraction ensure 99% purity emerging as a better option in comparison to various other methods. Ethanol extraction is also cost-effective if compared to the other prevailing methods of cannabis and hemp extraction that use expensive machinery. This process might use higher levels of energy to carry out its process, though it is best for extensive operations. Experts recommend it mostly for high-scale harvest extraction.
CO2 Extraction
An already leading method of extraction of various food ingredients, CO2 extraction use carbon dioxide in its liquid state (known as Supercritical CO2) to extract the specific constituents from the hemp or cannabis. The lengthy process of CO2 extraction uses temperature and pressure to aim towards the extraction of the relevant component of the plant. It demands several pieces of equipment and high-quality CO2 extraction unit that is a little pricier than other methods. However, the quality and effect of CO2 extracted products compensate for the expenditure with their efficiency.
The CO2 extraction method secures the “weedy” flavor of cannabis and hemp, which also helps in maintaining the fragrance of the product intact. On the other hand, ethanol extraction loses its flavor profile during the time of extraction. CO2 extractions are pure and lack toxicity under the heavy circumstances of pressure and varying temperatures. If you prefer vaping over any other method, then products obtained from the CO2 extraction will allow you the comparison of CBD vape juices to choose from a wide range of varying flavors and effects.
Which CBD Oil Extraction Method is Better? Ethanol or CO2?
One particular extraction method isn’t necessarily better than the other; each has its advantages and disadvantages. The answer will ultimately depend on the quantity and quality of CBD oil you’re looking to extract, if you’re extracting.
If you’re just shopping around for CBD oil products, consider testing brands that use ethanol extraction and supercritical CO2 extraction to determine which method produces the best product for your needs. If it’s important for you to have certified organic CBD oil, then ethanol-extracted CBD oil is likely the option for you. If you’re looking for a specific flavor or compound profile in your CBD products, supercritical CO2-extracted CBD oil might be the way to go.
