When we started the Hash Lab, our goal was to curate cannabis experiences centered around hash and hash products for this community. Thus, our first exclusive product drop put a spin on one of our favorites – temple balls. 

What is a temple ball, you ask?

They’re a solventless hash concentrate, rolled into one gram balls. It’s meant to be broken apart to elevate your bowl or bong experience, rolled into a joint, or vaporized in a conducive rig.

The first Leaf Labs temple ball was made back in 2021; now these babies are a signature product on our menu. Inspired by Frenchy Cannoli’s hash-making techniques and his “Lost Art of Temple Ball Hash Making,” co-owner, Dylan, loved the idea and wanted to offer cannabis connoisseurs a product that not only paired well with, but also showcased, the flower it was derived from. 

And they pack quite a punch. Charles Taggart from Leaf Nation shared his experience with our Laughing Buddha temple ball:

“My back was sore and my stress level was off the charts, but a bowl of this hash seemed to lift both off my shoulders. I found myself relaxed and in a completely blissful, giggly high by the end of the bowl. I spent the evening enjoying sitting back with a book, while a deep and euphoric relaxation soothed my body.”

Typically we make them from Laughing Buddha flower because the strain is a powerhouse. The plant’s terpenes and cannabinoids work well with most other strains, boosting the effects as if bonding with the compounds to create a heightened experience. But, this is the Hash Lab, so we got curious: just how many different ways can we do a temple ball?

One way: Triple Blended

Why triple blended? Because why not? More scientifically, though, we wanted to play with terps. If you read our post about CO2 Extraction, then you’ll recall that cannabis plants have trichomes, which house compounds called terpenes and cannabinoids which influence a strain’s effects, smell, and taste.

Derived from Cherry Vanilla Cheese, Laughing Buddha, and Garlic Grove (our top three strains), these triple blended temple balls contain each strain’s similar top terps, and with Laughing Buddha acting as a booster, we concluded that the mix would essentially supercharge any experience be it bowl, bong, joint, or vape.

The top three terpenes in all three strains are: Limonene, Myrcene, and Caryophyllene. However, Garlic Grove also brings Humulene to the table. Now, we know what you’re thinking – what do those have to do with anything? Well, let’s talk about it.

Terp Talk

Terpenes are not solely found in cannabis plants. But they do influence a cannabis consumer’s experience. Terpenes not only impact a strain’s effects, but also its “flavor” profile – how it’ll smell and taste. Each terpene has different attributes: 

If you get a citrus vibe, that’s Limonene; the terpene most commonly found in citrus fruit. Limonene contributes to an euphoric experience and aids in the absorption of other terpenes.

If you get a peppery, spicy vibe, that’s Myrcene and/or Caryophyllene. Myrcene is also found in hops, and Caryophyllene can be found in cloves and cinnamon. Both Myrcene and Caryophyllene have relaxing or sedative effects.

If you get an earthy, woody vibe, that’s Humulene, which is also found in hops used to brew beer for both hops and cannabis share some structural similarities. Humulene also shares some similarities with Caryophyllene, but it’s widely known for its anti-inflammatory properties, making it a great terpene for pain relief.

Now, a cannabis consumer’s experience is their own; not everyone reacts, or experiences, these terpenes in the same way due to their unique endocannabinoid systems. But that’s what makes us so curious about cannabis! There’s a good chance the experiences will overlap, depending on the individual circumstances, but we created these triple blended temple balls to encourage cannabis consumers to get curious, too. 

And as it turns out, the people love them! Which makes us even more excited to share what we’ve been up to. Stay tuned for the next Hash Lab product drop, coming soon!