Hand-Trimmed vs. Machine-Trimmed THCA Moonrocks: Which is Better?

THCA moonrocks are easily becoming one of the top-performing flower products on the hemp market, offering a more potent bud complete with THCA distillate infused into the flower, along with a nice coating of kief for a major cannabinoid and terpene boost.  With moonrocks becoming so popular, you can expect that some products are gonna be higher in overall quality than others.

Now, there are many ways to determine the quality of flower products, including moonrocks.  One way is to look at how each bud has been trimmed, as this indicates the amount of care and attention that the particular manufacturer puts into their products.  And, you may not know that there are actually two ways to trim flower buds: by hand, or by machine.  So, we’ll be comparing the two, and explaining what that can mean when it comes to the overall quality of your THCA moonrocks purchase.

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Getting to Quickly Understand THCA Moonrocks

We’ll talk all about the different ways to trim flower before making moonrocks in just a moment, but first we need to provide  a quick overview of what this product is, for those who don’t know.  THCA moonrocks are a specific type of flower product that consists of THCA flower buds (hemp flower cultivated in a way that yields high concentrations of tetrahydrocannabinolic acid, which converts into delta 9 THC when heated), which’ve been infused with THCA distillate and rolled in kief.  

Essentially,  THCA moonrocks are extremely potent compared to regular flower, because you’re getting a powerful dose of THCA distillate and kief along with the THCA that’s inherently in the flower buds.  And again, the flower itself is no different from standard THCA flower, which means that it can be held to the same standards for quality, freshness, potency, etc. 

How THCA Moonrocks are Made

Crafting THCA Moonrocks involves an intricate process that transforms high-quality cannabis flowers into a potent, premium product.  Basically, creating THCA Moonrocks is both an art and a science, requiring precision and care at each step that we’ll be covering below, in order to ensure a high-quality, potent product.  The result is a highly sought-after cannabis product that offers a unique and powerful experience.

Step #1: Selection of High-Quality Cannabis Flowers

The foundation of THCA Moonrocks is premium, high-THCA cannabis flowers.  These flowers are chosen for their potency, terpene profile, and overall quality.  The ideal buds are dense and resinous, indicating a high concentration of cannabinoids.

Step #2: Enrichment with Cannabis Extract

Once selected, the cannabis buds are coated with a thick layer of cannabis extract, often in the form of hash oil.  This step significantly increases the potency of the final product.  The type of extract used can vary, but it is typically chosen for its high THCA content and purity. The extract not only adds potency but also acts as an adhesive for the next step in the process.

Step #3: Dusting with Kief

After the buds are coated with the sticky extract, they are rolled or dusted in kief (again, consists of the trichomes (or resin glands) that have been separated from the cannabis flowers).  Since it’s also rich in cannabinoids and terpenes, this simply adds another layer of potency and flavor to the Moonrocks.  The kief adheres to the sticky outer layer of the extract, creating a dense coating around the bud.

Step #4: Drying

Once coated in kief, the Moonrocks need to be dried to set the layers.  This process must be carefully controlled to prevent the loss of terpenes and ensure that the extract and kief firmly bond to the flower.  The drying time can vary based on the thickness of the extract layer and the ambient conditions.

Step #5: Curing (Optional)

Some producers may opt to cure the Moonrocks after drying.  Curing can enhance the flavor and smoothness of the smoke.  This step involves storing the Moonrocks in airtight containers and allowing them to age under controlled conditions.  The curing process can last from a few weeks to several months, depending on the desired outcome.

Step #6: Storage

Proper storage is crucial to preserve the potency, flavor, and quality of THCA Moonrocks.  They should be stored in airtight, light-proof containers to protect them from air and light, both of which can degrade cannabinoids and terpenes.

Why Should THCA Moonrocks Be Trimmed?

Not all cannabis flower is trimmed, and when we look at the history of cannabis consumption around the world, trimming is a relatively new concept.  After all, it’s not required, as no parts of the buds are actually harmful, and therefore require being discarded.

But, trimmed cannabis THCA buds have become more and more of a standard within the industry, mostly because of the emergence of dispensaries throughout the country, as companies want to offer better quality than what’s available on the black market.  

Trimming cannabis THCA flower buds is performed before the buds are cured, which tends to be right after harvesting.  And, trimming offers clear benefits.  One major advantage of trimmed buds is that they are free of stems and leaves, as these components do not serve any purpose, containing none of the cannabinoids and terpenes that customers are looking for.  Flower is sold by weight, you don’t want stems and leaves making up a chunk of what you’re paying money for, since they’re useless to the consumer.

Trimming each THCA flower bud allows for an even curing process too, while ensuring a uniform shape and size that looks more aesthetically pleasing.  A lot of companies also trim the buds to exaggerate certain qualities distinctive to a strain – like a strain that already has a conical, tree-like shape may get trimmed to have even sharper angles.

THCA Moonrocks: Hand-Trimmed vs. Machine-Trimmed

Now, we’re going to compare hand-trimmed versus machine-trimmed THCA flower buds, which eventually get turned into moonrocks.  

Hand-Trimmed THCA Moonrocks

First let’s explore hand-trimming, which, as you probably guessed, means trimming each bud by hand.  This is a very labor-intensive process, needless to say, and the average hand trimmer can trim about 1-3 pounds of cannabis buds each day.  While skilled trimmers aim for consistency, there’s still a degree of variability in the final product due to human factors.  It’s worth pointing out that hand-trimmed buds are one of the markers of what’s considered “boutique” flower, which is the highest quality caliber that you can get nowadays.

Pros:

• A sign of artisanal craftsmanship.
• Employs people who wish to work in the cannabis industry.
• Offers more quality control as human eyes are going over each bud.
• Offers more precision, as machines cut more indiscriminately and can end up lopping off valuable components of the buds as well.
• The gentle handling in the hand-trimming process helps preserve trichomes, keeping the cannabinoid and terpene profiles intact for a potent and flavorful product.

Cons:

• It’s labor-intensive, and also requires a lot of time.
• Lower yield than machine-trimming.
• The labor-intensive nature of hand-trimming increases production costs, which may be passed on to the consumer, making hand-trimmed moonrocks more expensive.

Machine-Trimmed THCA Moonrocks 

The other option is machine-trimming, which is obviously the newer of the two methods.  Trimming by machine is a way to make each bud more uniform, and there are various types of machines that can do the job of trimming, which means that whether a cultivator has a large or small facility, they can employ machine-trimming equipment to fulfill this part of the process efficiently.

Machine-trimming is often considered to be the less “prestigious” of the two, as there’s a lower attention to detail.  Still, keep in mind that machine-trimmed buds are not inferior when it comes to the quality of the actual flower, in terms of its chemical composition, flavor, aroma, etc.

Pros:

• Higher output than hand-trimming, pound for pound.

• More uniform buds (although that can be a con, as you’ll see below).

• Saves cultivators money as they don’t need to employ someone to do the work for them.

• Takes less time and requires virtually no physical labor.

Cons:

• Can leave you with generic-looking buds that don’t highlight the unique characteristics of individual strains. 
• Lower quality control. 
• Machines can end up chopping pieces off of buds that actually have value, in an effort to create a uniform shape and size.
• The mechanical process may be harsh on the buds, potentially damaging trichomes and affecting the potency, flavor, and overall quality of the Moonrocks.

Hand-Trimmed THCA Moonrocks Await at Bloomz!

Choosing between hand-trimmed and machine-trimmed THCA Moonrocks often comes down to prioritizing quality versus efficiency and cost. For consumers and producers valuing the utmost quality and willing to pay a premium, hand-trimmed may be the preferred choice. Meanwhile, machine-trimmed might be suitable for those prioritizing accessibility and affordability, especially on a larger scale. 

Still no matter which method is used to trim THCA flower buds prior to making moonrocks, you can enjoy the satisfying effects and delicious taste of THCA moonrocks.  But clearly, hand-trimming displays a better artisanal approach to cultivating and processing cannabis, which’s why many people prefer moonrocks that have been trimmed by hand.  Plus, you can see that there are some clear advantages to hand-trimmed buds, so it’s more than just a superficial difference.

Bloomz THCA Moonrocks are of the highest quality, and you can count on them being trimmed by hand.  We’re proud to put an artisanal approach to every aspect of the process, including hand-trimming each bud carefully.  We have premium indoor and exotic/boutique THCA Moonrocks that our customers are sure to enjoy.

Trimming THCA flower moonrocks by hand is typically associated with “boutique” THCA flower companies, and thus, gives an artisanal approach to the product. Machine-trimming THCA Flower Moonrocks can yield up to 20lbs of trimmed flower per day.  Trimming by machine makes each THCA bud uniform more effectively, and there are various types of machines that can do the job of trimming, so that small and large cultivation facilities can find a system that works for them.  

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