How Curing Affects Cannabis Flavor and Smoothness

By Jeff Eckenrode

Quick Answer: Curing is the slow, controlled drying process cannabis undergoes after harvest, and it has more influence on flavor and smoothness than almost any other production step. Sweetwater Farms uses a precise 60 degree, 60 percent humidity cure to preserve terpenes, break down harshness-causing chlorophyll, and deliver a smoother smoke.

Ever wonder why two jars of the same strain can smoke so differently?

You'd think identical genetics grown in similar conditions would taste the same every time.

But flavor, smoothness, and even how a strain smells when you crack the jar often come down to a step that happens after the plant is already harvested: curing.

Curing Isn't the Same Thing as Drying

It's easy to lump these two steps together, but they're doing different jobs. Drying is the initial process of removing the bulk of moisture from freshly harvested flower, usually over the course of about a week. Curing picks up where drying leaves off.

Once flower reaches a workable moisture level, it goes into sealed containers, typically glass jars, where the moisture remaining inside the bud slowly redistributes and equalizes from the inside out.

This is where the real transformation happens. During curing, chlorophyll and other plant compounds that give improperly handled flower a harsh, grassy, hay-like taste continue to break down. Moisture trapped near the center of the bud works its way outward, evening out the texture so you don't get a jar with crispy edges and a damp core. And critically, this slow, low-stress environment gives terpenes a far better chance of sticking around instead of evaporating off.

Terpenes are naturally volatile compounds, and research on preserving terpenes in stored cannabis inflorescence has found that their concentration tends to decline the longer flower sits without careful handling, which is exactly why a well-cured jar tends to smell noticeably more vivid than one that was rushed.

What Happens When Curing Gets Rushed?

Here's where a lot of lower-quality flower falls short. If a producer skips curing entirely or rushes it to get product to market faster, you end up with buds that burn hot, taste sharp or grassy, and lack the aromatic complexity that a properly cured strain delivers.

Chlorophyll that hasn't had time to break down is one of the biggest culprits behind that harsh, throat-catching smoke that makes you cough more than the strain's potency alone would explain.

Research on postharvest cannabis processing points to this same mechanism, noting that curing allows for the enzymatic breakdown of the sugars and starches created as chlorophyll degrades, and that flower which skips this process tends to produce a rougher, harsher-hitting smoke.

The 60/60 Method

One approach that's become something of a gold standard among craft producers is what's often called the 60/60 cure: holding cured flower at roughly 60 degrees Fahrenheit and 60 percent relative humidity throughout the process.

That combination hits a sweet spot. It's cool and humid enough to slow the process down and let terpenes and moisture equalize gradually, but not so humid that mold or mildew becomes a risk. Producers who commit to this method are essentially trading speed for quality, since a proper slow cure can take several weeks longer than a rushed one.

That tradeoff tracks with broader findings in cannabis postharvest research: studies on drying, curing, and storage conditions have repeatedly found that cannabinoid and terpene content can decline significantly during these stages, and that the way flower is handled after harvest plays a major role in how much of its original quality actually makes it to the jar.

Why Does This Matter to You as a Consumer?

Because it's one of the few quality markers you can actually notice yourself. Crack open a jar and take a sniff.

A properly cured strain should smell rich and specific, whether that's fuel, berry, citrus, or funk, rather than flat or grassy. The burn should feel smooth, not harsh. And the ash should be closer to a light gray than a dark, sooty black, which is often a sign that chlorophyll wasn't given enough time to fully break down.

None of this requires special equipment. It's just a matter of knowing what you're smelling and tasting for.

Where Can I Find Expertly Cured Flower in Redmond?

At Hashtag Cannabis in Redmond, we're proud to carry expertly cured, small-batch flower from Sweetwater Farms.

What Makes Sweetwater Farms Special?

Sweetwater Farms is a small-batch craft producer out of Cheney, Washington, and their slow 60 degree, 60 percent humidity cure is a core part of how they approach every strain they release.

Combined with their living soil growing practices, the result is flower built for flavor first, with strains like ATF, Juicy GMO, and Alpine Guava each carrying a distinct, well-preserved terpene identity rather than a flattened, one-note smoke.

If you want to taste the difference a genuine slow cure makes, Sweetwater's lineup is a great place to start.

Want to learn more? Visit their website at: sweetwaterfarmsmj.com

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FAQ about Cannabis Curing, Flavor & Smoothness

What is curing in cannabis production and how is it different from drying?
Drying is the initial removal of bulk moisture from freshly harvested cannabis, typically taking about a week. Curing happens afterward, once flower is placed in sealed containers where the remaining internal moisture slowly redistributes and equalizes. During this slower process, chlorophyll and other compounds that cause harshness continue to break down, and terpenes are given a better chance to stay intact rather than evaporating away.

Why does curing affect the flavor of cannabis flower?
Curing allows chlorophyll and other plant compounds responsible for a grassy, hay-like taste to continue breaking down after drying is complete. It also gives terpenes, the aromatic compounds responsible for a strain's specific smell and flavor, more time to stabilize rather than evaporating off quickly. Flower that's properly cured tends to have a richer, more distinct aroma and a noticeably smoother smoke than flower that skipped this step.

What happens if cannabis is cured too quickly?
Rushed curing leaves chlorophyll and other harshness-causing compounds without enough time to break down, which typically results in a sharper, hotter-burning smoke that can cause more coughing than the strain's potency alone would explain. Rushed flower also tends to lose more of its terpene profile, leading to a flatter smell and less distinct flavor compared to flower given a full, unhurried cure.

What is the 60/60 curing method?
The 60/60 method refers to curing cannabis at roughly 60 degrees Fahrenheit and 60 percent relative humidity. This combination is cool and humid enough to slow the curing process down, giving moisture and terpenes time to equalize gradually, while staying dry enough to avoid the mold or mildew risk that comes with excess humidity. Producers who use this method, like Sweetwater Farms, are prioritizing flavor and smoothness over speed to market.

Does curing affect potency?
Curing's primary impact is on flavor, aroma, and smoothness rather than raw cannabinoid content, since THC and CBD levels are largely determined earlier in the plant's growth and harvest timing. That said, a proper cure does help preserve the terpenes that work alongside cannabinoids to shape the overall experience, so while the percentage on the label won't change, how that potency actually feels and tastes can be noticeably different.

Where can I find Sweetwater Farms products in Redmond?
Sweetwater Farms' slow-cured flower is available at Hashtag Cannabis in Redmond. Availability rotates with our current strain selection, so check our online menu or ask a budtender in-store to see what's currently on our shelves.