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If you have used a grinder for CBD flower, you may have noticed a fine powder collecting at the bottom. That is kief, and it is one of the simplest hemp concentrates there is. This guide explains what CBD kief is, where it comes from and how people use it. It is information only, and we make no health claims.
What is kief?
Kief is the loose powder made up of trichomes, the tiny resin glands that coat CBD rich hemp flower. These glands hold most of the plant's cannabinoids and terpenes, which is why kief is more concentrated in CBD than the flower it comes from. It is sometimes called pollen or dry sift.
Kief, pollen and hash: how they relate
These terms are closely linked. Kief is the loose resin powder. When that powder is pressed together, it becomes hash. Left loose and gently sifted, it is often sold as pollen, like our CBD pollen hash. So kief is essentially the starting point for traditional hash. For the full picture, see how CBD hash is made.
How is kief collected?
The most common way is with a grinder that has a mesh screen and a lower chamber. As you grind flower, the fine resin falls through the screen and collects below. On a larger scale, producers use fine sieves to separate the resin from dried flower, the traditional dry sift method.
Ways people use CBD kief
- Sprinkled over flower: add a pinch to ground CBD flower for extra concentration.
- Pressed into hash: kief is the raw material for pressed hash.
- Added to a hemp tea or infusion: because cannabinoids are fat soluble, some people infuse it with a carrier fat.
How strong is kief?
Because it is concentrated resin, kief carries a higher CBD percentage than loose flower gram for gram. As always, the reliable measure is the lab report (COA) for the specific product. A little goes a long way.
Storing kief
Keep kief in a small airtight container away from heat, light and humidity, just as you would flower or hash. Cool and dark preserves its aroma and freshness.
Kief vs other concentrates
Kief is the simplest concentrate. Products like moonrocks and hash rocks actually use kief as a coating for extra strength. If you want to compare formats, our guide on hash rocks vs moonrocks is a useful read.
Frequently asked questions
Is kief the same as pollen?
Effectively yes. Kief and pollen both refer to the loose resin powder sifted from hemp flower.
Is CBD kief legal in the UK?
As a hemp concentrate, it sits in the same legal grey area as flower and hash. See our CBD hash and UK law guide. Information only, not legal advice.
Does kief contain THC?
Quality hemp kief contains only trace THC and is not intended to be intoxicating. Confirm via the COA.
The bottom line
Kief is the loose resin powder sifted from CBD flower, richer in CBD than the bud itself and the raw material for hash. Use it sparingly, store it well, and check the COA for strength.
Disclaimer: General information only. We make no medical or health claims about any CBD product.
