Know Your Grower -- Xtracted Labs
by Rachel Hantula, director of customer experience
Xtracted Labs is a cannabis processor located in Seattle’s SoDo neighborhood just south of the city center.
They have been in the business of creating premium cannabis extracts for over a decade. In 2012, years after building a thriving processing business for Washington state’s dispensaries and medical patients,
Xtracted Labs was officially incorporated in Seattle, Washington by a group of experienced cannabis producers with a focus on shaping the burgeoning industry.
Founded on the mantra, “safe for the patient, safe for the processor,” Xtracted has worked closely with state and local officials to help institute sensible regulation of one of the world’s first legal markets for cannabis. Consequently, Xtracted has helped to pave the way for other hydrocarbon extractors to make their way to the market, and they are true OG’s in the Washington market and culture.
Their dedication to pioneering good practices and maintaining rigorous internal standards helps to propel the expanding cannabis industry forward and set an example as an industry leader.
How exactly does Xtracted produce such high quality cannabis concentrates?
This question is most easily answered with one very simple phrase:
Fire in. Fire out.
Xtracted lives and dies by this ideal.
Xtracted believes exceptional hash oil starts with great cannabis, and we could not agree more. This is why Xtracted works so hard to develop strong, mutually beneficial partnerships with the region's most respected farms and growers.
They handle all of their fresh and cured cannabis minimally with a hands-off approach to disturb the plant as little as possible. All raw material is held in a commercial walk-in freezer that allows them to preserve the freshest terpene profile until they are ready to move it into production.
What products and product lines does Xtracted produce?
Xtracted produces their products through two distinct product lines: Refine and Northwest Concentrates. Both product lines contain products made through hydrocarbon extraction and distillation. Hydrocarbon extracts make up a large majority of the products they curate.
Sooooo…. What does that mean?
At the core of Xtracted Labs is hydrocarbon extraction.
This is Xtracted’s primary method of concentrating cannabis into hash oil and the base for a majority of their products. The starting material, typically whole cannabis flower, sugar leaf, smaller larfy buds, or trim, are exposed to hydrocarbon solvent (butane and propane are common hydrocarbon gasses) that strip the plant matter of its trichomes which contain the strain’s unique chemical profile.
Once the hydrocarbons have dissolved the resin, the resulting slurry containing the cannabinoids, terpenes, and hydrocarbons is filtered and purged of the solvent until a potent, refined extract is all that remains. Hydrocarbon extracts target the compounds we want in a concentrate more specifically than, say, a CO2 extraction or alcohol based extraction, and hydrocarbon extracts are also less infiltrated by unwanted, harsh plant matter.
Xtracted does this beautifully, producing some of the terpiest, LOUDEST extracts available in our market. More full spectrum than distillation in terms of organic compounds within the concentrate, hydrocarbon extracts will provide a more nuanced experience than an ultra purified, distilled concentrate.
Why should you care which extracts are terpiest?
Check out our Terpenes 101 series on our blog!
What about distillation?
This is another extraction process Xtracted has mastered.
The distillation process takes cannabinoid refinement a step further by methodically distilling cannabis down to its most common compounds (THC and/or CBD). To achieve the distilled golden, amber oil, they take a raw hydrocarbon extraction and purify it through a series of state-of-the-art techniques.
First, a crude hydrocarbon extraction is dewaxed using ethanol, sub-zero temperatures, and seven stages of micron filtration to separate and remove the lipids, fats, and waxes naturally produced by the cannabis plant. Once the waxes have been taken out the ethanol is slowly evaporated from the mixture. Next the oil is processed through a molecular still that works by fractionating and collecting individual compounds.
Cannabis oil is composed of many organic compounds, notably cannabinoids and terpenes. Each one boiling and reaching a point of vaporization at different temperature intervals. By adjusting the temperatures we distill at we can target individual cannabinoids and let the remaining constituents recollect as waste while the distilled cannabinoids are collected separately after they recondense into a thick ultra-purified oil.When targeting ultra specific molecules like THC/CBD, the effects are potent and predictable.
Each pass through the distillation process can purify and polish the batch of distillate further. Refine Activated Distillate (RAD!), their premium distillate, is triple-distilled and undergoes color and scent remediation in addition to diatomaceous earth filtration to ensure ultimate purity and potency.
Xtracted’s Pope Machine which makes their distillate
Cannabinoid Isolation you ask?
Cannabinoid isolation takes the refinement of cannabis compounds from a syrup-like oil to a solid crystalline substance. Utilizing a variety of techniques and by fluctuating different parameters, like temperature and time, individual cannabinoids are targeted and isolated into their solid form.
When cannabinoids are isolated to their individual molecules, like THCA and CBD, they form stacked, faceted, crystal-like structures or sharp, granular particles. Isolated cannabinoids, while providing only a narrow sliver of cannabis’ effects, provide more potent and predictable experiences, much like distillate. Cannabinoid isolation is used to make Refine Rocks!
Xtracted’s Refine line is made for dabbers, by dabbers.
Not sure how to dab? No worries! We got you, read our intro to dabbing guide HERE!
Their small team of passionate hash heads craft every gram to provide premium hash oil that is flavorful, potent, and consistent. They partner with the most respected growers to showcase their best flower and emphasize the flavor and characteristics that make each strain unique. All Refine products are top-shelf quality designed specifically for connoisseurs and feature the very best cannabis from your favorite farms.
What to try from Refine-
If you’re a dabber…
Loud Resin & Loud Rosin: Loud Resin is Refine’s award-winning flagship product from Refine — Xtracted Labs’ line of premium hash oil. Their Loud Rosin is a newer, solventless product produced through ice water extraction. Both Loud products showcase outstanding genetics cultivated by the region's most talented cultivators with great attention to detail. Their ultimate goal, once it’s in the lab, is to match the flower in aroma, flavor, and effect with a consistent appearance and texture so you know what to expect every time. Once it passes their internal quality assessment protocol, the rich, saucy hash oil is placed under their signature blue lid and given a custom Loud Resin or Rosin label.
Amplified: Amplified combines Refine’s award-winning Loud Resin™ with a spike of strain-specific, cannabis derived terpenes that create unique flavor profiles bursting with complimentary pairings and interesting new blends. Terp hounds & sauce heads will enjoy the flavor-forward experience of these limited-run flavor combinations.
Rocks: Refine Rocks are small diamond chunks of crystalline THCA structures that are grown in their own terpene profile. This extract emphasizes potency and effectiveness while retaining the characteristics and flavors of the original flower. Testing high in THCA, Refine Rocks are a unique extract that balances purity with flavor in a visually stunning expression.
Double Dipper: Refine Double Dippers pack a mean one, two punch! They take Refine’s flagship Loud Resin™ and drizzle it with a big glob of RAD! – Refine Activated Distillate – for a cannabinoid-forward dab that combines the Loud terps you love with the added kick of pure THC oil. When you can’t decide between flavor and potency, Double Dippers give you the best of both worlds.
If you prefer to combust and smoke rather than vaporize…
Infused Joints: Loud Joints™ feature the best locally grown cannabis paired with our award-winning Loud Resin™. The folks at Refine select flower that has the most compelling terpene profile and combine it with Refine’s flagship hash oil to create a smooth, flavor-forward joint. To infuse Loud Joints™, Refine combines freshly ground flower with crumbled Loud Resin™ at a 70/30 ratio and carefully blend them together to create a consistency that promotes a slow, even burn.
While Loud Joits were Refine’s first official infused joint, they now create infused joints containing hash, distillate, terp sauce, and even pure THCa!
If you prefer discreet consumption….
Loud Vape Cartridges: Refine’s award-winning Loud Cartridges offer the flavors and punch of their signature Loud Resin™ in high quality, easy-to-use cartridges. Loud Cartridges are 100% cannabis extract and feature native, strain-specific terpenes extracted from the best locally grown cannabis paired with RAD! – Refine Activated Distillate – for a refined cartridge experience that stands out for both flavor and potency. Offered in all of the best selling strains and limited edition releases, Refine’s Loud Cartridges deliver the loud terps you’re after in a genuine CCELL cartridge that delivers an ultra clean, pure, and delicious cloud of vapor every time.
Xtracted’s Northwest Concentrates line provides top tier product for a more affordable price point
For active adults who want to explore the world of cannabis concentrates and develop their personal tastes without curbing their spirit for adventure, Northwest Concentrates captures the vibes of the Pacific Northwest with compelling strain selections, regional flavors, and practical, easy to use products centered on consumer education.
What to try from Northwest Concentrates:
Hash Oil: Northwest Concentrates evoke the clean living and spirit of adventure native to the Pacific Northwest. Our hydrocarbon extracts capture the Northwest vibes through compelling strain selections, regional flavors grown locally, and practical, easy to use products in a range of textures and consistencies.
Vape Cartridges:
Vape cartridges from Northwest Concentrates are filled with purified, highly-potent hash oil and are offered in a variety of the region’s best flavors. This vape cart is formulated to provide vivid Northwest flavors and rich vapor at the best price. They are a perfect option for those with active lifestyles and for anyone who wants some discretion while enjoying cannabis. Available in Rainier Cherry, Northwest Huckleberry, Pacific Pineapple, Mango Haze, Strawberry Banana, and other popular strains.
Bubble Hash: Solventless hash made through ice water extraction can be added to a joint, bowl or blunt to ramp up potency and relief on both mind and body.