Arete vs. Lucky Elk vs. Carolina Hemp Cafe: Which THCA Brand is Best?
Wells Westmoreland
The THCA flower space continues to blossom, but not all brands that are putting down roots deliver on quality, consistency, or value.
Whether you’re searching for organic live rosin, boutique indoor buds, or a reliable, high-potency product with best-in-class service, three names stand out: Arete, Lucky Elk, and Carolina Hemp Cafe.
In this article, we break down how these brands stack up across factors like potency, freshness, transparency, product variety, and price. Let’s figure out which one fits your vibe (and your budget).
Arete vs. Lucky Elk vs. Carolina Hemp Cafe: Quick Comparison
| Attribute | Arete | Lucky Elk | Carolina Hemp Cafe |
| Potency & Effects | Potent strains, especially for live rosin | Varies: some strains hit, others are mild | Powerful: THCA flower up to 38% and concentrates up to 99% |
| Consistency & Transparency | COAs provided; mixed customer reviews | COAs available, some batch inconsistencies | Lab-tested COAs, consistent premium packaging |
| Product Variety | THCA flower, pre-rolls, live rosin, edibles | Flower (indoor/outdoor), pre-rolls, rosin, carts | Full suite: flower, pre-rolls, concentrates, vapes, and edibles, plus, CBD, CBN, and CBG products |
| Price & Value | Premium pricing; some say overpriced | Boutique-priced (~$35–$45/3.5g), solid craft value | Mid-premium (~$40/g), higher for specialty products |
| Shipping & Service | Free shipping, but mixed service reviews | Friendly support but occasional shipping delays | USPS priority, free shipping on orders more than $99, satisfaction guarantee |
Arete Overview
Arete Hemp offers a variety of THCA products, including flower, pre-rolls, rosin, and edibles.
This family owned and operated company is known for premium packaging, high-THCA lab results, and for only working with organic hemp farms.
Some customers rave about the purity and strength of their live rosin, but others have expressed concerns about pricing and inconsistent customer service.
Pros
- High-THCA flower and live rosin
- Broad product selection with upscale branding
- Provides COAs
Cons
- Premium pricing
- Mixed customer service reviews
- Limited budget and bulk offerings
Lucky Elk Overview
Lucky Elk is a boutique hemp brand from Oregon offering indoor and sun-grown THCA flower, along with concentrates.
They emphasize organic cultivation, terpene expression, and sustainability. Strains like Animal Face and Donny Burger are praised for their aroma and visual appeal, but some users experienced inconsistent burn quality.
Despite the occasional consistency issues, consumers largely put Lucky Elk in the middle of the pack for its premium aesthetics and solid potency.
Pros
- Organically grown indoor and sun-grown flower
- Attractive terpene profiles and bag appeal
- Lab testing and COAs available on product pages
Cons
- Inconsistent burn quality and potency
- Some customers experienced shipping delays
- Still growing its national reputation
Carolina Hemp Cafe Overview
Carolina Hemp Cafe is a premium THCA and hemp retailer in North Carolina that offers a curated collection of lab-tested THCA flower, pre-rolls, concentrates, and vapes, as well asTHC, CBD, and CBN products like gummies, tinctures, and topicals.
We’re widely known for our strong THCA flower potency and top-shelf quality. Some of our standouts include strains like Death Star (37.8% THCA) and potent live rosin crumble exceeding 90% THCA.
Our customers appreciate our attention to detail, including moisture-controlled packaging, clearly displayed COAs, best-in-class customer support, and fast, secure shipping.
Pros
- Premium-quality, high-potency THCA flower and concentrates
- Variety of products beyond THCA
- Free USPS priority shipping on orders $25 or more
- Exceptional customer service with human support
Cons
- Higher prices compared to big-name brands
- No lower THCA flower price tiers
Arete vs. Lucky Elk vs. Carolina Hemp Cafe: Which THCA Brand Is Best?
Here’s a breakdown of Arete vs. Lucky Elk vs. Carolina Hemp Cafe when comparing freshness, potency, consistency, product variety, pricing, and shipping.
Freshness
Dry or stale THCA flower can ruin an otherwise solid strain, making freshness a major factor when shopping online.
At Carolina Hemp Cafe, our buds ship in sealed jars with humidity packs, and customers regularly rave about how sticky, aromatic, and well-cured our flower is.
Arete’s premium packaging and small-batch approach preserves quality, though some users noted varying freshness based on product availability.
Lucky Elk users have shared positive reviews for the brand’s aroma and trichome, but their sun-grown options sometimes get called out for dryness or uneven burns.
Potency and Effects
Carolina Hemp Cafe specializes in high-potency THCA products that actually deliver. Strains like Death Star (37.8% THCA) and our live rosin concentrates consistently punch above their weight.
Arete’s live rosin gets love for its clarity and strength, and their top-tier flower appeals to seasoned users. However, users have reported varying effects depending on the batch.
Lucky Elk has some standouts, like Animal Face, that get solid reviews for potency. However, overall feedback is mixed.
Consistency and Transparency
Carolina Hemp Cafe posts full-panel COAs for every product and maintains tight quality control across batches.
Arete also provides COAs with every order and only sources from organic farms. Still, some users have experienced customer service issues and mixed experiences with order fulfillment.
Lucky Elk displays lab results on their product pages and mostly delivers solid quality, but some users report black ash and uneven burns.
Product Variety
If you want a full range of THCA and hemp-derived products, Carolina Hemp Cafe is your best bet.
We offer one of the most comprehensive menus out there: flower, pre-rolls, vapes, concentrates, edibles, topicals, and more.
Arete also has a wide selection, including high-THCA flower, live rosin, gummies, and pet products. All products are backed by a premium, wellness-forward aesthetic.
Lucky Elk is more limited with a mostly flower-focused lineup. They do have some solventless hash and carts, but the menu favors small-batch and boutique products.
Price and Value
THCA buyers usually fall into two camps: quality chasers or budget stretchers. What you value determines where to shop.
We know we’re not the cheapest, but our pricing reflects our verified potency, meticulous sourcing, and white-glove customer service.
Arete also has premium pricing with strong branding and top-tier concentrates. But between shipping fees and a few service hiccups, some customers question the value.
Lucky Elk’s indoor eighths run around $35 to $45, with solid bag appeal. However, people have reported hit-or-miss quality, so keep that in mind.
Conclusion: Our Comparison of Arete vs. Lucky Elk vs. Carolina Hemp Cafe
If you want verified potency, top-shelf freshness, and a wide variety of hemp products, Carolina Hemp Cafe is your go to. Between our standout customer service and premium quality, we offer the best value you’ll find online in the THCA space. Is this a bold statement? Sure. But we have high standards and strive to live up to them every single day.
Arete appeals to wellness-minded buyers looking for clean, organic products with upscale branding and powerful concentrates. Just be ready to pay more, and expect some variability in service.
Lucky Elk is made for the adventurous shopper chasing boutique indoor strains at a lower price point. Occasional burn issues and potency inconsistencies can be a drawback.
Want to keep exploring? Check out our other THCA brand comparisons:
