Different Types of THCA Concentrates Explained [Chart]

If you’re new to THCA concentrates, you may find all the different options to be a little overwhelming.

There are more than 10 different types of THCA concentrates. Each offers unique flavors, potencies, and experiences, and not all can easily be consumed using the same methods due to their varying consistencies. 

So to break it all down and help you explore the world of THCA concentrates, in this article, we’re giving you an overview of all the main types of concentrates and what you should know about each. 

We’ve also included a graphic chart below that you can download or bookmark for easy reference. 

What Are THCA Concentrates?

THCA concentrates (also called THCA dabs) are highly purified extracts made from the cannabis sativa plant that contain high levels of tetrahydrocannabinolic acid (THCA).

Concentrates are made using extraction processes that strip away much of the plant material, leaving behind concentrated THCA, as well as secondary cannabinoids and terpenes (in some cases).

Concentrates come in many different forms – each of which offers a different experience – and can be consumed in many different ways. When the THCA in concentrates is heated, it’s converted to THC, rendering the classic euphoric, relaxing effects associated with the cannabis plant.

Because THCA concentrates are so potent, they’re best if you’re a seasoned user looking for a powerful, fast-acting experience.

While THCA concentrates are just as potent as anything you’d buy from a dispensary, they’re federally legal because they contain less than 0.3% THC in raw form (this means they’re classified as a hemp product). It’s only after you heat them that the THCA turns into THC. 

Types of THCA Concentrates

Without further ado, here’s a breakdown of all the main types of THCA concentrates:

THCA distillate

THCA distillate is a highly refined oil concentrate made by isolating THCA through distillation. 

Distillate is very potent, often testing at above 90% THCA, making it a favorite among users who want a clean, consistent high without added terpenes or plant material.

You can dab it, vape it, or infuse it into edibles, and because of its neutral flavor, it blends well into recipes or tinctures. 

While not as terpene-rich as other concentrates, THCA distillate is a powerful, adaptable option if you’re looking for potency and versatility.

THCA isolate

THCA isolate is THCA in its purest form, typically taking on a consistency of small crystals or fine white powder. 

Isolate is odorless, flavorless, and often tests at 99%+ purity, making it perfect if you're looking for the effects of pure THC without the influence of terpenes or other compounds.

Isolate is ideal for infusing into edibles and topicals where you want complete control over potency. 

The downside of isolate is that it won’t offer the entourage effect that full-spectrum concentrates (those containing other cannabis compounds) do. 

THCA diamonds

THCA diamonds are a crystalline concentrate that boasts extremely high potency and purity. At 99%+ THCA potency, diamonds are the strongest THCA concentrate available. 

People enjoy THCA diamonds for their ability to deliver a clean, intense high when heated and converted into THC. 

These glass-like crystals can be dabbed or sprinkled onto flower for a powerful, fast-acting experience, or, you can melt them down to make edibles.

THCA wax

THCA wax is a soft, pliable concentrate with a buttery, easy-to-handle texture, making it a favorite for dabbing. 

Along with high THCA potency (often over 70%), wax is terpene-rich, so it delivers vivid flavors alongside the powerful euphoric, relaxing effects.

Best used with a dab rig or vaporizer, THCA wax melts smoothly under heat, producing potent and fast-acting effects.

THCA sugar wax

THCA sugar wax is a soft, granular concentrate that closely resembles traditional THCA wax but with a more sugary, crystallized texture. Sugar wax can be white, but it often has an amber hue to high terpene content. 

Sugar wax offers high THCA potency combined with a full-spectrum cannabinoid profile, making it a great dab for therapeutic as well as recreational use.

Thanks to its consistency, THCA sugar wax is simple to scoop and use, providing a smooth, high-potency vapor when heated.

THCA shatter

THCA shatter is a brittle, glass-like concentrate that (per its name) breaks apart easily. At 60-90% THCA, shatter is one of the most potent concentrates. 

Shatter can be dabbed, broken up and added to flower, or inhaled using a bong rig. 

When heated, shatter melts into a clean, flavorful vapor, delivering strong psychoactive effects after decarboxylation. 

The downside of THCA shatter is that it typically doesn’t contain terpenes, so it doesn’t offer the flavors that wax or similar concentrates do.

THCA sauce

THCA sauce is a rich, terpene-heavy concentrate known for its high potency and bold flavors. 

Sauce contains a mix of diamond-like THCA crystalline structures and cannabinoid-rich oil, providing a thick, saucy texture that’s ideal for dabbing. 

THCA sauce delivers strong effects alongside a full-spectrum terpene experience, making it a great option for flavor chasers and connoisseurs.

THCA badder

THCA badder (also called THCA budder) is a whipped, creamy concentrate with a smooth, malleable texture that makes it easy to scoop and dab.

Known for its high terpene content and potent THCA levels, badder provides a rich, flavorful experience. 

It’s ideal if you prefer concentrates that are easy to work with while still offering strong effects and full-spectrum cannabinoid benefits.

THCA bubble hash

THCA bubble hash is a fine, sandy concentrate that preserves terpenes, minor cannabinoids, and a solid dose of THCA (60-70%). 

Bubble hash is made by using ice water and agitation to separate trichomes from the cannabis plant, then drying and sifting this substance to create the final concentrate. 

People love bubble hash for its natural, full-spectrum profile – it’s a little less refined than other concentrates, but it packs flavor, aroma, and effect into every hit. It can be pressed into rosin, sprinkled onto flower, or dabbed.

THCA kief

THCA kief is a fine, powdery concentrate that’s collected from the resinous trichomes of THCA flower buds. 

With a potency of around 75% THCA, kief delivers a smooth, terpene-rich experience. 

Kief can be sprinkled onto flower, pressed into hash, or used in a vaporizer, making it a versatile and potent concentrate. 

THCA live resin

THCA live resin is an ultra-premium concentrate extracted from fresh, flash-frozen cannabis, preserving the plant’s full spectrum of cannabinoids and terpenes. 

This process results in exceptional flavor, potency (80-85% THCA), and aroma, offering a rich, well-rounded experience. 

Live resin is favored for dabbing due to its high THCA content and terpene-forward profile, delivering a smooth and flavorful vapor when heated.

THCA live rosin

THCA live rosin is a solventless concentrate made using heat and pressure, ensuring a pure, terpene-rich experience without chemical solvents. 

This premium extract offers a clean, natural flavor while maintaining a high THCA potency between 80% and 90%. Ideal for dab enthusiasts, live rosin provides a smooth, flavorful vapor with strong effects, making it a top choice for connoisseurs who prioritize purity and taste.

How to Use THCA Concentrates

There are many different ways you can consume THCA concentrates. Here’s how each method works, plus the concentrates it works best with:

• Smoking: You can mix THCA concentrates into your bowl or joint, which will increase the potency of your THCA flower. This method usually works best with crumbly or soft concentrates like THCA wax, crushed diamonds, or badder.
• Vaping: THCA concentrates can be inhaled using a vaporizer, which converts the concentrate into vapor without burning it. Vaping is best for soft concentrates like THCA live resin, budder, wax, or diamond sauce.
• Dabbing: THCA concentrates can be inhaled using a dab rig, which consists of a glass piece with a nail attachment, a torch, and a dab tool. Heat the nail, scoop THCA concentrate onto it once it’s hot, and then inhale the vapor as it’s produced. Dabbing can be used to consume almost any THCA concentrate (this is why they’re often referred to as THCA dabs).
• Hot Knifing: This old-school THCA concentrate consumption method involves heating two metal knives and then carefully pressing a small amount of THCA concentrate between them. As the vapor forms, you can inhale it using a straw or a similar device. Hot knifing is most effective for malleable concentrates like THCA wax, sugar wax, or badder, as they’re easy to scoop and press.
• Glass Dab Straw (Nectar Collector): THCA concentrates can be consumed using a glass dab straw, where the tip of the straw is heated with a torch and dipped directly into the THCA concentrate. You can then inhale through the opposite end. Using a glass straw is easiest with sticky concentrates like THCA sauce, badder, or sugar wax, as the concentrate will cling to the hot top and vaporize smoothly. 

Pros and Cons of THCA Concentrates

Here are the pros and cons you’ll want to be aware of when deciding whether to use THCA concentrates, both in comparison to other types of products and in general: 

Pros

• Extremely Potent: THCA concentrates can contain up to 99% THCA, delivering powerful effects when decarboxylated, making them perfect if you’re looking for a fast-acting and intense experience. 
• Fast Onset: Whether your dab them, vape them, or add them to your bowl, THCA concentrates produce effects in just 5-10 minutes, offering quick relief for symptoms like pain, stress, or insomnia.
• Versatile: THCA concentrates can be dabbed, vaped, smoked, or infused into edibles, allowing you to choose a method that fits your needs and preferences.
• Customizable: You can pair concentrates with terpene sauces or mix them with flower, allowing you to tailor the flavor, aroma, and effect profile based on what you like.
• Cleaner Inhalation: When vaporized properly, THCA concentrates often deliver a cleaner, smoother hit with fewer plant materials than smoking traditional flower.

Cons

• Not Beginner-Friendly: Due to their high potency, THCA concentrates can be overwhelming for new or low-tolerance users, increasing the risk of side effects like anxiety or paranoia.
• Requires Special Equipment: Dabbing and vaporizing concentrates typically requires torches, rigs, or concentrate-friendly vaporizers, which adds complexity and cost.
• Lower Terpene Content (in some forms): Isolated THCA (like THCA diamonds) may lack flavor and aroma compared to flower, unless paired with terpene-rich sauce.
• Shorter Effect Duration: Compared to edibles, the high from inhaling concentrates, while intense, may be shorter-lived, requiring more frequent dosing.
• Overconsumption Potential: Due to the fast onset and high strength, it's easy to overdo it with THCA concentrates.

Conclusion: Which Type of THCA Concentrate Is Best For You?

The THCA concentrate that’s right for you will ultimately come down to the effects and flavors you’re looking for, as well as the consumption method you prefer.

Concentrates like THCA diamond sauce and live resin offer more flavorful experiences, whereas THCA diamonds or isolate are better if you’re looking for sheer potency and strength of effects. 

If you prefer to vape your concentrates, softer concentrates like THCA wax or diamond sauce are better, whereas THCA diamonds are a great option for snow-capping your flower.

No matter what you choose, THCA concentrates often one-of-a-kind potency and variety, making them a great option for both therapeutic or recreational uses. 

It’s not just about choosing the right concentrate – it’s also about choosing the right brand to buy it from. At Carolina Hemp Cafe, we offer a wide range of THCA concentrates, including THCA diamonds, THCA wax, THCA sauce, and THCA kief. Every product is 3rd-party lab tested, made from American-grown hemp, and contains all-natural cannabinoids. Shop our THCA concentrates today!

Types of THCA Concentrates: Frequently Asked Questions

Here are some questions our customers frequently ask us about the types of THCA concentrates.

What is the best THCA concentrate?

While each type of THCA concentrate offers benefits and effects that may appeal to you based on your preferences, THCA diamonds are commonly regarded as one of the best concentrates due to their extremely high potency, which often exceeds 99%. 

What are the forms of THCA?

THCA comes in a variety of forms, including flower, isolate, diamonds, wax, budder, and many others. 

What is considered a high THCA concentrate?

THCA concentrates that contain more than 80% THCA are often considered high-THCA concentrates, although even less-potent concentrates (~60% THCA) tend to be roughly 2-3x stronger than top-shelf THCA strains.

Will THCA fail a drug screen?

Yes, THCA will cause you to fail a drug test because it’s converted to THC when heated (as when you smoke concentrates or flower). THC is targeted on drug tests because of its presence in marijuana, a federally-illegal variant of the hemp plant.