Mood enhancement, improved sleep, pain management, stress relief, mental clarity & focus, appetite regulation, social bonding, and creative stimulation are among the several reasons for hemp flower consumption. Overall, all of the possible reasons fall under therapeutic or recreational reasons. To maximize these benefits, knowing how to store hemp flower properly is essential.
However, there would be little or no chance of achieving any of the said benefits if hemp flowers are not fresh. For better context, some of the reasons to pay attention to freshness are for the sake of:
Learning how to store hemp flower can significantly impact its longevity and effectiveness, ensuring that you can enjoy its full benefits.
Cannabinoids Preservation
Enhanced User Experience
Preservation of Aesthetic Appeal
Mold & Contaminant Prevention
Extended Shelf Life
Keeping Potency Intact
For starters, this means that they need to be purchased in fresh conditions. You can see Mr. Hemp Flower for more on this.
However, the buck does not stop there as consumers also have a responsibility to keep their purchases fresh, which is why knowledge of how to do this is necessary. Thankfully, this article shares some valuable tips to help out.
How to Properly Store Hemp Flower to Maintain Freshness
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There is a lot at stake when hemp flowers that have lost their freshness are consumed. The potency of such is highly questionable, at the very least. However, there are also safety concerns. Bearing this in mind, discussed below are some tips for proper storage:
Use of Airtight Containers
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Prolonged exposure to air can lead to the degradation of your purchase. More specifically, the cannabinoids and terpenes, which are crucial in determining the effectiveness of hemp flowers, gradually lose their quality. As a result, storage in airtight containers is strongly advised.
However, you should steer clear of plastic containers, although they can be airtight. The possibility of the trichomes being stripped off when kept in such a storage option is the reason for this.
Your best bet is storage in airtight glass jars, which by the way allows you to see the state and shape of your purchase even while in storage.
Temperature Control
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Just as it applies to medications and foodstuffs, there is an ideal temperature for the proper storage of hemp flowers. It is between 15 to 21 degrees Celsius or 60 to 70 degrees Fahrenheit.
They do not particularly do well when exposed to heat. As a result, keep away from high temperatures, which is the fastest way they can dry out and eventually diminish in potency.
Keep Humidity Levels in Check
The sight or even the presence of mold in hemp flowers is bad news. This is for reasons that include:
Loss/Reduction in Potency
Loss of Flavor & Aroma
Appearance Changes
Decrease in Shelf Life
Safety Concerns – Due to the increased risk of mycotoxins and the dangers of consuming mold spores
It therefore begs the question of how to avoid mold troubles. The most obvious would be keeping the storage site free from moisture, considering how mold thrives where there is moisture.
However, humidity levels also need to be kept within the right range, which is an RH (Relative Humidity) level of between 55 to 62 percent. The placement of humidity control products such as Integra Boost and Boveda inside the storage container should get the job done.
Also, make it a point of duty to carry out regular inspections. This is particularly true if you have had your supply for a long while. Any supply with the slightest sign of mold should be quickly discarded.
Store Your Purchase in a Dark Place
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Just as with air as explained above, the cannabinoids and terpenes contained in hemp flowers can degrade when exposed to light. This is particularly true with UV (Ultraviolet) rays.
This necessitates storage in a dark place. Generally, this would be somewhere that does not get direct sunlight. In addition to storage in an airtight glass jar, you could store the airtight glass jar in a drawer or cool cabinet as this would keep your supply from sunlight.
Do Not Freeze or Refrigerate
While freezing and refrigeration work for properly storing several food items and even medications, the same does not apply here. Freezing causes the trichomes to brittle, eventually causing them to break off.
Although bristling is not a guarantee with refrigeration, there is still a huge reason to steer clear of refrigeration. It is because of how this storage tactic creates an ideal environment for mold growth due to moisture imbalances. So, neither freezing nor refrigeration should be considered.
Avoid Frequent Handling
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Opening the storage container now and then implies increased exposure to air, which is not good for your supply. Besides potency reduction being one of the main worries, the flower’s aroma and freshness can be quickly affected.
Because of this, you should only open the container when you need to. Furthermore, hemp flowers should be handled with great care. This is for the sake of preventing damage to the trichomes.
Container Labeling
For starters, do not mix a new batch of supplies with old ones. Secondly, it is highly recommended that old batches are consumed before new ones.
Labeling your supply according to the purchase date should be practiced as it helps you adhere to this tip. Besides this, labeling can also help you with precise identification if you purchase several strains.
Keep Away from Strong Smells
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One thing you may or may not have noticed about hemp flowers is how well and fast they absorb strong odors. By the way, that includes strong odors from things like cleaning products.
Some of the several possible adverse consequences if this happens include:
Chemical Contamination – Considering the content of these products
Health Complications – Such as respiratory issues, gastrointestinal discomfort, and toxic reactions
Altered Aroma & Flavor
Compromised Health benefits
Loss of Hemp Flower’s Quality & Value
As a result, you should be mindful of where you store your supply as it certainly has to be far from the reach of such products.
The possibility of ending up with health complications is certainly the biggest worry because of the content of cleaning products, including VOCs (Volatile Organic Compounds). You can read this article for more insight into this.
Conclusion
This article has shed light on 8 important tips for preserving the freshness of hemp flowers through proper storage. Thankfully, adhering to many of the said tips requires very little, but they are nonetheless important. So, make sure to take them seriously, especially considering the possible implications of not adhering to them.
Disclaimer:
This post may contain affiliate links. I receive a small commission at no cost to you when you make a purchase using my link.
