If you’re on the hunt for new strains or new to enjoying cannabis flower, follow these tips to help you find premium buds. Only cannabis cultivated and bred with care achieves the quality standard of premium flower.
With over 16 years in business and over 65 years of combined cultivation experience, 14er Cannabis is a pioneer in producing some of the best cannabis flower in Colorado. Read on to learn about the key indicators of fire flower beyond just THC content and how to select a cannabis strain and store your buds.
Key Indicators of Premium Bud
Aroma – Follow your nose, “the nose knows.” Choose a nug that has a pleasing smell to you, which indicates the terpene profile, and that the potential effects are what you are looking for. If the smell of the cannabis flower is distinct and pungent (citrus, pine, gas, floral,etc), it indicates a rich terpene profile. If it smells like hay, is subdued, or has no smell, it is of low quality.
Terpenes are natural aromatic compounds found in all plants and influence mood and effects. This is because the olfactory system is directly linked to the brain’s limbic system, which controls emotions and memory. Some common terpenes include:
- Limonene: Citrus, uplifting
- Linalool: Floral, lavender, relaxing
- Pinene: Fresh pine, earthy, focus
- Myrcene: Earthy, herbal, sedative
- Caryophyllene: Spicy, peppery, anti-inflammatory
Appearance – premium cannabis flowers are typically dense, well-trimmed, and “frosty” buds that are covered in tiny, sticky crystals or trichomes. While this is a good rule of thumb, appearance should only be a secondary consideration. Trichomes are the resinous magical bulbs that contain compounds to protect them and include terpenes and cannabinoids like THCA, THC, and CBN, which together produce the effects of cannabis.
The color of premium buds should be vibrant shades of green, ranging from light to dark and may contain a varying degree of purple with orange hairs called pistils and stigmas. Anatomically, the buds are the calyx and bract, the trichome dense, tear-drop shaped bud, and the covering that looks like a tiny leaf is the bract.
Excess stems or seeds and brown or muted colors indicate poor cultivation methods, old, or improperly cured cannabis.
The size of the premium flower buds can vary, ranging from smaller popcorn nugs the size of coins to larger, denser buds that can weigh up to 3+ grams. While larger buds may contain a marginal increase in terpene and cannabinoid content compared to their smaller counterparts it is a negligible difference.
Texture – Premium buds are slightly sticky and spongy to the touch. When you go to break up the nugs, they should snap with slight resistance rather than crumbling into dust. A dry or brittle texture usually indicates the flavor is degraded and will cause harsh smoke.
Lab Testing – Purchasing cannabis flowers from a reputable dispensary ensures they have been tested in a lab and are free from pesticides, mold, and contaminants. Every flower product is tested and given a Certificate of Analysis (COA) that measures cannabinoid percentages (THC/CBD) and the top terpenes and verifies it has passed all standards of clean cannabis.
Harvest and Cure Dates – Flower products packaged within 1-3 months are usually fresher, as the cannabinoids and terpenes will degrade over time, especially if not stored properly.
How to Select a Cannabis Strain
When selecting a cannabis strain, consider whether you want a tried-and-true strain, or maybe you are feeling adventurous and want to try something new and different. Before visiting the dispensary, consider the following.
- What is your goal? Some common goals include symptom relief (pain, anxiety, insomnia, appetite) or recreational effects (energy, creativity, relaxation).
- Ask and try–consult your budtenders for recommendations based on your goals or preferences, or a doctor for medical needs; sample small amounts and keep notes on strain, dose, and effects.
- Note the THC and CBD content on the label. Higher THC may lead to stronger psychoactive effects but is not a great indicator alone due to the entourage effect; higher CBD usually has milder psychoactive effects and more therapeutic/anti-anxiety properties.
- Consider category type: sativa leaning (uplifting, energetic), indica dominant (sedating, body-relaxing), or hybrid (mixed effects). Use these as general guides, not strict rules.
- Check the terpene profile. Myrcene can be sedating, limonene often uplifting, linalool is said to be calming, pinene is good for alertness—terpenes shape the subjective effect of your bud.
- Understand onset and duration: using flower or vapes usually means a fast onset (5-15 minutes); traditional edibles are typically a slow onset (45 min. – 1 hour) and a longer duration of effects.
- Know your tolerance and sensitivities. If you don’t consume cannabis frequently, start low and go slow—use small doses and wait before taking more.
Repeat these steps until you find the strain and dose that work best for you.
Store it and Enjoy
Now that you have selected your premium flower strain, make sure you store it to keep the buds fresh, fragrant and flavorful. Here are a few tips:
- Use airtight glass jars (mason or UV-protective). Avoid plastic bags.
- Store in a cool, dark, and dry place ~60–70°F, no direct light or heat.
- Maintain humidity with 56–60% RH packs to prevent dryness or mold.These work well to freshen up bud overnight but should not be used long-term.
- Keep sealed—limit air exposure.
- Don’t refrigerate or freeze (may cause condensation and trichome damage).
- Minimize handling; grind only what you need.
- Keep away from strong odors; cannabis absorbs smells.
- Label your strains and dates; rotate older strains first.
- Use child-resistant, locked storage.
Shop 14er strains online to explore our selection of flower products and accessories at our Boulder dispensary. If you work at a dispensary outside of Boulder and are interested in carrying our products, contact us.
