What is Winterization and Why is it Important?

When it comes to creating the purest and highest-quality CBD oil, Supercritical CO2 Extraction is only the first part of the process. 

Once hemp plants are processed, the raw full-spectrum concentrate produced is thick, like a paste, and contains all the available elements from the hemp plant. For maximum consumption quality, it still needs to be refined to remove fats, lipids and other undesirable “extras” that made it through the extraction procedure. Before it can be considered shelf-stable the extract needs to be winterized.

As the name suggests, winterization works by subjecting the extract which has been thinned by alcohol to extremely cold temperatures in a freezer…-80°c, to be exact. The frigid environment allows the alcohol-extract mixture to separate the cannabinoids from other parts of the raw extract like terpenes, waxes, lipids, and plant chlorophyll. 

When raw extract is not put through the winterization process to remove lipids, the final quality of the oil is compromised, with more cloudiness and less purity. Additionally, fatty oils can burn when used in vape cartridges. 

Winterization is an important step in the journey of a hemp flower to a high-quality extract. Want to learn more about the CBD production process? Send us a note and let’s connect!