FERMBAG: Revolution in Drying
Proper drying determines whether you'll enjoy the harvest or be disappointed. At this stage you either reap the rewards of hard work, or lose the aroma, flavor and effect of the flowers. Everyone knows that improperly dried flowers have an unpleasant taste and smell and also mold quickly. Introducing FERMBAG – bags for controlled drying of herbal material.
What FERMBAG is and how it works
FERMBAG are specially designed bags intended for drying freshly harvested herbs. Each pack contains three transparent bags measuring 30 x 50 centimeters. Each bag holds up to 50 grams of undried buds. FERMBAG creates a controlled environment and buds dried this way acquire a unique taste and aroma.
How does the FERMBAG technology work? The secret lies in the materials used and the bag's construction. The drying bags are made of a breathable plastic and excess moisture is released from the flowers gradually, which ensures slow and even drying. At the same time the bag protects terpenes and cannabinoids from oxidation. Last but not least, mold spores cannot get inside, so the drying process is safer.
How to dry using FERMBAG step by step
There is nothing complicated about drying in the bags – FERMBAG does most of the work for you.
- Filling: Put freshly harvested flowers into each bag. Beforehand, thoroughly clean them of all leaves. Make sure the buds are not packed too tightly on top of each other and can breathe. The optimal amount is 50 grams per bag.
- Sealing: Now carefully seal the bag so no air gets in. The best method is to seal the bags with an impulse sealer, but office clips or string will do.
- Placement: Place the bags in a dark spot at room temperature between 18-21 °C and a relative humidity of around 60%. Ideally hang them on strings so air can flow around them from all sides. Alternatively you can spread the FERMBAG on drying nets.
- Weighing: Weigh the bags every day. Once the weight stops falling, leave the dried material in the bag to mature for another three days. The whole process should take 7 to 12 days. You can now transfer the flowers to jars to cure or let them continue to cure in the bags.
If you want your harvest to really be worth it, drying is far from the end of the process. Now the dried material needs to mature. This process is called curing and usually takes place in jars or airtight containers.
Curing is a process in which flowers continue to mature in a closed environment after drying, most often in jars. Over several weeks residual chlorophyll and organic compounds slowly break down, which softens the taste and improves the quality of the aroma. At the same time cannabinoids and terpenes stabilize, so the effect and aroma become fuller and more balanced. The ideal curing time is 4–8 weeks, and the containers need to be aired regularly to prevent mold. Properly executed curing can elevate the quality of the harvest to a whole new level.
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