Curing is like extra care, where the drumsticks can mature
Quality first
Cannabis sticks are a kind of rear-view mirror to the past, where you can see the way a particular plant was grown and the care it received. Every misstep is reflected in the final quality. If the sticks are not sticky under slight pressure or do not release the typical aroma, something is wrong. Well-treated plants do not suffer from mildew or retain water and look "healthy". Still, something is missing. With curing, it is possible to take the quality up a level.
This is not a new method of drying, rather most people avoided it because of its difficulty and uncertain results. However, if done correctly, it shows not only in appearance but also in taste, aroma and terpene and cannabinoid content. And that's something worth a few weeks of consistent care.
Curing is a "maturation process". It follows the main drying process, which usually takes place freely in the air. However, the degree of drying must be monitored to ensure that the sticks do not retain too much moisture or, conversely, that the plants lose most of their water and are not attacked by mould. Just because they look dry doesn't mean that they are. If you squeeze gently, you will immediately see what stage of drying the sticks are in.
Curing knows no compromise
The stage when the sticks have not lost all their moisture, but at the same time could already be used, is ideal for curing. Handling of the plants should be kept to a minimum, so prepare everything you need in advance.
Some growers use plastic bottles for curing to save money. Unfortunately, this reduces the quality of the sticks. The plastic releases dyes, resins and toxic substances and the material softens. The most suitable alternative is large jars with screw caps. Plants are stacked inside so that they have plenty of space around them and are not too close to each other and the glass walls. Place them in a place with no natural or artificial light and a temperature ideally around 10 degrees Celsius (but room temperature is no barrier either). Such an environment is guaranteed to enhance flavour, aroma and terpene content.
The minimum curing time is one month, but twice as long is ideal. It makes no sense to prolong the process excessively, the effect would not be as strong after a while. On the other hand, three weeks is the absolute minimum. If you don't have enough time, it is better to skip the curing and finish the drying process after air drying. Every day, you need to open the jars for a few seconds and let the buds breathe the air. Burping is particularly important in the first two weeks, when the plants have higher oxygen requirements and are more susceptible to mould. If you smell a whiff of ammonia (ammonia) after opening, anaerobic bacteria are eating the buds. After just two days you should see the first changes in the sticks. Moisture moves from the core to the edges and the plants soften.
Indoor humidity should be between 55 and 65%. You can estimate the condition or measure the exact reading with a hygrometer. If the sticks are dry, add bags to retain moisture. Otherwise, open the jar for half a day.
The curing process does not end with the care of the sticks. Poor storage (despite impeccable drying) can cause them to lose their flavour, terpenes and cannabinoids or become mouldy. Store them in airtight, oxygen-free containers, add bags to retain moisture, and let them rest in a cool, shady place.
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