Hash – Red Lebanon

Finding hashish in the Middle East is like finding a McDonalds in America – its’ everywhere! In Lebanon, hash is almost like a cultural icon. Long, long ago, it was even used as a form of currency for traders and residents of the area. Although hashish is abundant all over the Middle East, Lebanon has become internationally known for their high quality AAAA+ hash for as long as hash has been around. It all begins with cannabis cultivated in the heart of the valley of Baalbek – here, harsh conditions and un-ideal climate help landrace strains from the region develop thick coats of THC trichomes to defend against the elements. This makes cannabis from the Baalbek valley ideal for hash processing, and helps attribute to the potency, quality and overall goodness of real Lebanese hash. The red in Red Lebanese hash comes from the natural drying and curing process of the raw cannabis plant – cultivators leave the plants on the field until they’re just about ready, and during this process they acquire a unique red tint from sunlight, and its’ own natural pistils which give off a orange-reddish colour. Once the hashish is processed, it is left to dry and properly cure. The Lebanese process of curing hashish is what separates their hash from other regions in the Middle East. Hash is aged for one or two entire harvesting seasons, which can last anywhere between 4-8 months in total. This allows the hash to develop an ideal consistency that is pliable, yet stiff enough to work, and also allows for the hash to deepen its’ aroma and flavours. The long process strengthens the natural woodiness and unique spicy terpenes found within Lebanese cannabis strains. Contrary to most hashish available globally, Red Lebanese Hash is known for being particularly cerebral in effects, compared to other traditional forms of hash which tend to be more sedating, although it still provides an immaculate body stone and waves of relaxation which are very strong, in comparison to Moroccan hash.