What is Charas and How is it Made? Guide to the Best Hashish in the World

Some cannabis enthusiasts get their bud, smoke it, and don't think much more about it. However, for other stoners, a deeper dive into the hobby yields the discovery of many new ways to enjoy some good quality Mary Jane. One classic venue of cannabis is hash, the purified resin produced by a plant's trichomes and terpenes. What is the difference between weed and hash? All hash is weed, but not all weed is hash: hashish (the proper name for purified pot) requires taking leaf cannabis and extracting its pure resin. This gives you a much stronger high, which is why wax shatter is so popular among stoners looking for a bigger, better way to get baked. One particular type of hash that should be on your radar is called charas, a type of Indian hash that is an experience like few others in the cannabis game.

What is Charas?

Unsplash

While standard hashish is usually made by putting dry marijuana buds through a sieve, charas is a type of hash made from the fresh plant. To say it is homemade hashish is putting it lightly: unlike processed concentrates, the key to making charas hash is to rub it between your palms until the resin from the plant sticks. This process might remind you of making clay snakes in kindergarten, but it really works: the resin will emerge after extended contact with your hands. While charas is some of the best hash, it is also some of the most lengthy hash: it may take a person a very long time to get just a single gram, meaning that it can be hard to find and have a higher cost than most other types of concentrates and resins.

Charas, like many other aspects of cannabis, is native to India. Charas is the Hindustani word for hash, originating from northern India and the Saddhu community, where smoking this potent form of resin is believed to give a closer connection to the god Shiva - who is often depicted smoking this best hashish. Hindu scriptures, 3500 years old, reference the great power of hemp, a tradition that has continued to this day. It's also popular among pilgrims and tourists who come to the region to seek a closer connection to the divine high. Charas, furthermore, are some of the most commonly smuggled types of weed across the globe. Throughout recent Indian history, charas and cannabis have been banned or outlawed, though widespread usage continues today.

Charas Characteristics

A brick of charas looks like a slice of chocolate cake: deep brown, crumbly, and fairly moist. While the scent of charas will depend on the cannabis it was produced from, most people describe its scent as earthy and smoky, similar to a campfire's aroma. As with many other marijuana products, some people may like the smell of charas, while others find it less than appealing.

While you can eat charas or any other type of hashish, it's usually not recommended, even though the active THC compound will do its thing if ingested. The taste is quite strong and usually unpleasant. It is better to smoke it, whether in a normal joint or a dab rig like other concentrates.

Making Your Own Charas

If you are the do it yourself type of stoner, charas is fairly easy to make. You'll need live marijuana plants, a wet rag, a clay or glass pipe, and a plastic container for the process. Choose plants that are about two to three weeks away from maturity, the buds not yet dried and the crystals not yet prominent.

Pluck out the flowers and buds because it's time to roll, roll, roll. Roll them between your palms until no more oil emerges from the plant. Your hands will be plenty dark and plenty sticky, but that's the point: once no more oil comes out of the plant, position your hands over the container and rub together more. Rub until the resin sticks together and falls into the container, leaving your hands (mostly) clear. Ball up the resin and it's time for smoking.

Place the ball of charas into the pipe and add the wet cloth to the mouthpiece: you'll want the filter so that you don't get hot oil in your mouth. Light up the pipe and inhale deep, and prepare yourself for a strong, even transcendental, high. Once you're back on Earth, be careful cleaning out the pipe because burnt charas is no fun - you don't want to take a harsh resin hit of burnt-out hash.

Have you ever smoked charas or any other types of hashish? How do you find it compares to other types of concentrates or cannabis products? Let us know in the comments below!