How to best store CBD flowers?

Proper storage of CBD flowers is not as easy as you might think. If you thought keeping them in a plastic pouch on the living room table by the window would do the trick, you'd be wrong! Here's a practical guide to help you store your CBD flowers better.

Things to remember

• Keep your CBD flowers away from light, humidity and air.
• Use suitable containers, i.e. airtight and opaque.
• A well-stored flower can be kept for several months (3 to 6) without losing quality.
  

Banish the enemies of conservation: light, heat, humidity and oxygen.

Before discovering how to store your CBD flowers properly, we advise you to familiarize yourself with what spoils them. CBD flowers are sensitive to their environment, and their freshness and efficacy depend closely on the conditions in which they are stored.

Enemy number 1: light. You might not think about it, especially when you receive your cheap CBD flower in a transparent bag, but exposure to UV light deteriorates cannabinoids and terpenes. It only takes a few days for a flower forgotten near a window in a non-opaque container to lose its potency.

Enemy number 2: heat. Keeping your flowers in a room that's too warm, or near a heat source such as a radiator or electronic devices, can cause them to dry out too quickly. Their texture then becomes crumbly, and they lose their fragrance and effectiveness.

Enemy number 3: humidity. This is surely the trickiest parameter to manage. If it's too high, flowers can go mouldy. If it's too low, the flowers dry out, lose their aroma and become unpalatable. The ideal humidity level for CBD flowers is between 55% and 62%. To control this, you can buy a hygrometer or use humidity-regulating sachets (Boveda, Integra, etc.).

Enemy number 4: oxygen. Ambient oxygen contributes to the slow oxidation of the flower. Air contains oxygen, which gradually deteriorates the active molecules. The more your flowers are exposed to air, the more they lose quality over time.

The key to good preservation is to recreate a dark, cool, dry and stable environment. What's more, small-format flowers such as CBD small buds are all the more sensitive to these parameters.

Choose the right containers to store CBD flowers

The choice of container in which to store flowers is crucial. The best is a tinted glass jar with an airtight lid. Glass is a neutral material that does not alter odors and is free of chemical substances. It also combats the proliferation of humidity. If it's tinted as well, it insulates from light, and the airtight lid limits the entry of air into the jar.

If you can't get hold of a tinted jar, a classic glass jar will also do, as long as you store it in a dark place. Otherwise, you can turn to opaque metal tins, just make sure they're airtight. 

Alternatively, you can store your flowers in vacuum bags. These reduce exposure to oxygen to almost zero. They are therefore ideal for storing flowers for several months. However, vacuum-packing flowers can be a little tricky, as you need to avoid compressing them too much to preserve their appearance.

🍃 Our pro tip: add a humidity-regulating sachet to your containers (Boveda or Integra Boost). They maintain a stable humidity level, preventing the flower from mildewing or drying out. It's very effective for prolonging the product's shelf life. It would be a shame to waste your delicious Amnesia CBD !

Finally, once your Californian CBD flower is safely stored in the right container, keep it in a suitable place. By this, we mean a closed cupboard, a cool drawer, or a wooden box at a stable temperature. The ideal temperature is around 15-20°C.

Avoid at all costs keeping your flowers in plastic zip-top bags or soft plastic pots. They let air through, retain moisture and can give your flowers an unpleasant taste. What's more, they offer no protection against light or heat.

How long can you keep a CBD flower?

The shelf life of a CBD flower depends directly on how it is stored. If you follow all the recommendations we've just given you, you can store your flowers for between 3 and 6 months without any significant deterioration.

Well-stored flowers can stay in good condition for up to a year, but this requires really rigorous storage. There's no room for error: an airtight container, perfect humidity control, zero light and constant temperature. We still recommend that you consume your flowers within 6 months.

🍃 Our pro tip: note the potting date on a label or directly on the jar. This will enable you to follow the flower's evolution over time, and avoid consuming a flower that's been forgotten for a year at the back of a cupboard. Nobody wants the delicious aromas of their Orange Bud CBD to come!

CBD flower is a living product that deserves a certain amount of attention. With a minimum of care and attention, you can enjoy your products with freshness.