Across the South African cannabis scene, dabbing has gone from something only hardcore “expert boets” talked about on WhatsApp groups to something you’ll hear about at braais, beach sessions, and late-night balcony hangs.
You might be wondering how this happened, and the answer is simple. Because concentrates are properly lekker.
Products like wax, rosin, and shatter pack serious flavour thanks to their terpene content, and they tend to hit a bit harder than traditional flower. That’s why they’ve become popular with experienced cannabis fans who want a stronger, more flavourful experience.
But concentrates can look a bit confusing at first.
You’ll hear people talking about diamonds, crumble, live resin, sauce, and suddenly it sounds less like cannabis and more like something you’ve ordered at a fancy tapas restaurant.
Don’t stress, though, “China”. Let’s break down the most common concentrates South African dab fans come across and what makes a good version of each.
The Main Cannabis Concentrates Dabbing Fans Will Use
As you might have guessed, there are a lot of cannabis concentrates, each with its own texture, flavour profile, and production method.
While they all contain high levels of cannabinoids and terpenes, the way they are extracted and processed creates distinct products.
Understanding the differences between concentrates can help users choose the right product for their preferred dabbing experience.
Below are some of the most common concentrates that dabbing enthusiasts encounter.
Shatter
Shatter is one of the most recognisable cannabis concentrates because it literally looks like thin sheets of golden glass.
The name comes from its brittle, glass-like structure. When you apply pressure, the concentrate literally shatters into pieces, much like thin caramel or hard candy. For those who have ever accidentally cracked a piece while trying to handle it with warm fingers, you’ll understand the name immediately.
If you were thinking what makes a quality shatter, here are some pointers:
- It is clear, amber, or golden in colour
- When you apply pressure, it cleanly snaps
- The shatter will have a strong terpene smell
- And there shouldn’t be cloudy patches or sugar crystals
If your shatter looks cloudy or crumbly, it may have “sugared up”, which happens when cannabinoids crystallise over time.
Poor-quality shatter often becomes “sugared”, which we would have assumed referred to your mom’s new boyfriend’s name, but oh well!
Also, make sure that you don’t leave your shatter in the sun, as it will melt.
So, store it in a cool, dark place. #Phrasing
Wax (Budder)
Wax is a soft, opaque concentrate with a whipped, creamy consistency.
As you might have assumed, the name comes from its texture, which resembles earwax or candle wax. We’re hoping you picture candle wax rather than the other option.
Budder is essentially the same product but with a smoother, butter-like consistency.
So, you know you’re looking at great quality wax when it:
- Has a creamy texture
- A strong aroma
- And a consistent colour (usually light yellow or tan)
Good wax is easy to scoop with a dab tool and melts cleanly when heated.
Oh yes! How is this stuff made? Well, wax forms when the extract is agitated during processing, causing cannabinoids to crystallise and trap solvent bubbles. This gives it its characteristic airy texture.
Because it’s easier to handle than shatter, wax is one of the most beginner-friendly concentrates.
Crumble
Gosh, we wish this had a deeper origin story to its name, but crumble is a dry, crumbly concentrate that breaks apart easily. Sadly, crumble doesn’t come with a Wolverine-style origin story.
What makes a good crumble is when it is
- A bit dry but slightly sticky texture
- Has a light golden colour
- And of course, that strong terpene smell
If crumble is extremely dry or dusty, it may have lost terpenes during processing.
And for those who want to know, crumble forms when extracts are purged at lower temperatures for longer periods, creating a porous, honeycomb-like structure.
Because it breaks apart easily, crumble is often used in:
- Dabbing
- Bowl topping
- And when it is mixed with flower
Live Resin
Live resin is a terpene-rich concentrate made from fresh frozen cannabis plants instead of dried material.
The term “live” refers to the plant being frozen immediately after harvest. This preserves delicate terpenes that would normally degrade during drying and curing.
What makes a good live resin is:
- A strong, fresh cannabis aroma
- Vibrant colour
- Sticky or saucy texture
- And visible terpene content
It often looks slightly wetter than wax or shatter.
Live resin is known for its extremely strong flavour, making it popular with terpene enthusiasts.
The freezing process helps retain volatile compounds responsible for aroma and taste. Now for another live cannabis concentrate to dab!
Live Rosin
Live Rosin is a solventless concentrate made by pressing hash or cannabis with heat and pressure.
The name comes from the traditional rosin-pressing technique, historically used to extract resin from plants. Some people argue the name should technically be “live pressing”, but the industry settled on live rosin.
The term live rosin indicates that the starting material was fresh-frozen cannabis.
Top-quality live rosin typically has:
- Creamy or jam-like consistency
- Strong terpene aroma
- Golden to pale colour
- And no chemical solvent taste
Because it uses no solvents, live rosin is often considered one of the cleanest concentrate forms.
However, it is also one of the most labour-intensive and expensive to produce.
Sauce (Terp Sauce)
Terp sauce is a liquid-like concentrate containing THC crystals suspended in terpene-rich oil.
The name comes from its syrupy appearance, which resembles a sauce or marinade.
Good terp sauce should contain:
- Large THC crystals (“diamonds”)
- Strong terpene aroma
- And looks like a thick golden liquid
The combination of crystals and liquid provides both potency and flavour.
Terp sauce is usually produced through controlled crystallisation, where cannabinoids separate from the terpene-rich solution.
Diamonds (THC Diamonds)
Diamonds are large THC crystals formed during concentrate extraction.
As you’d expect, the crystals resemble small gemstones, hence their name.
High-quality THC diamonds should have:
- Clear crystalline structure
- High THC levels
- And minimal impurities
They are usually consumed with terp sauce to add flavour. Diamonds can contain very high THC levels, often above 90%, so exercise caution.
On their own, they have little flavour, which is why they are often combined with terpene-rich extracts.
Hash Rosin
Hash rosin is made by pressing bubble hash using heat and pressure.
The name reflects the two-step process:
- cannabis → bubble hash
- bubble hash → pressed into rosin
Top-tier hash rosin typically shows:
- Smooth buttery consistency
- Pale golden colour
- And has an extremely strong terpene profile
Hash rosin is highly prized because it combines solventless extraction with a terpene-rich starting material.
Well, now that we’ve gotten through that extensive list, let’s talk about what to buy! YES! RETAIL TIME!
A Simple “Zootly Dabbing Starter Kit”
If you’re curious about dabbing but not keen to turn your kitchen into a chemistry lab, a simple starter setup can make things much easier. With just a few well-chosen tools, you can enjoy concentrates without the complexity of traditional dab rigs and blowtorches.
Here are a few beginner-friendly pieces of gear that many South African dab fans start with.
Hot Knife Dab Tool
Handling sticky concentrates with a normal dab tool can sometimes feel like trying to scoop honey with a toothpick. A hot-knife dab tool solves this by gently heating its tip so that wax, rosin, or shatter slides cleanly into your rig.
It’s one of the easiest ways to keep your setup neat while avoiding wasted concentrate. Currently, we stock two hot knives: the Anlerr Concentrates Hot Knife E-Pen and the Yocan Blade Dab Knife.
Electronic Dab Rig
Traditional dab rigs require heating a nail with a torch, which can feel intimidating for beginners. An electronic dab rig removes that step entirely.
These devices use built-in temperature controls to heat concentrates automatically, delivering smooth, consistent dabs without the guesswork.
For many people getting into concentrates, an e-rig is the easiest entry point into the world of dabbing. For those looking to get in on this convenient option, we stock the XMax Qomo Mini Electronic Dab Rig.
Nectar Collector
A nectar collector offers a more portable and simplified way to dab concentrates.
Instead of loading a dab into a banger, you heat the collector’s tip and touch it directly to your concentrate. The vapour is then inhaled through the device.
They’re compact, easy to use, and perfect for quick sessions when you don’t want to set up a full rig. As you’d expect, we’ve got a great Nectar Collector device, or the Yocan Dyno Nectar Collector Vaporizer!
Multi-Tool
A good dab multi-tool might seem like a small addition, but it quickly becomes one of the most useful items in your kit.
These tools help with loading concentrates, scraping containers clean, and keeping your equipment tidy after a session.
Think of it as the pocket knife of the dab world. Right now, we don’t stock them. Must discuss with the powers that be to get some!
However, for now, you can pick one Titanium Carb Cap Dab tool from our friends over at Marijuana SA.
