What is live sauce? Cannabis sauce definition
Learn how live sauce is made and discover its benefits.

Cannabis concentrates have become a major part of the hemp and cannabis industries, offering users potent experiences and rich terpene profiles. Among these, live sauce has emerged as a premium product, loved for its purity, flavor, and versatility. It stands apart for its ability to preserve the complex aroma and cannabinoid profile of the original hemp or cannabis plant.
This guide will break down everything you need to know, from what live sauce is to how it’s made, its benefits, and how to use it.
What to know about cannabis concentrates
Cannabis concentrates are products made by extracting and isolating cannabinoids, terpenes, and other beneficial compounds from the cannabis plant. Concentrates are popular because they offer high potency and targeted effects while removing excess plant material.*
Several types of concentrates exist, including shatter, wax, distillate, and live resin. Live sauce is a specialized type of concentrate that focuses on preserving terpenes, offering a richer and more flavorful experience than many other extracts.
While many concentrates focus on potency alone, live sauce has a balance of cannabinoids and terpenes for a well-rounded effect.*
What is live sauce?
Live sauce is a cannabis extract known for its high terpene content and liquid consistency. It’s a subcategory of live resin and is crafted to enhance the terpene profile and deliver a more flavorful and aromatic experience.*
This unique product typically features a two-part structure: cannabinoid-rich crystalline solids and a terpene-dense liquid, referred to as the “sauce.”
The term “live” refers to the use of fresh, flash-frozen cannabis in the extraction process. Freezing the plant immediately after harvest helps preserve delicate terpenes and cannabinoids that may otherwise degrade during drying and curing.
This method allows live sauce to capture the essence of the original strain in its purest live state, making it a favorite among enthusiasts who appreciate the nuances of flavor and aroma.*
How is live sauce made?
Live sauce is created using advanced extraction techniques designed to maintain the plant’s natural compounds. The process begins with fresh cannabis plants that are immediately frozen to preserve their terpene and cannabinoid profiles.
Let’s look closer at the steps:
- Extraction: The frozen plant material undergoes hydrocarbon extraction using solvents like butane or propane to separate cannabinoids and terpenes from the plant.
- Separation: After extraction, the solution is allowed to settle, separating cannabinoids and terpenes. Cannabinoids often crystallize, forming solid structures, while terpenes remain liquid.
- Refinement: The final step involves purifying and refining the concentrate to remove any residual solvents, ensuring a clean and safe product.
This meticulous process results in a product that’s rich in terpenes and cannabinoids, delivering both potency and flavor.*
What are the benefits of live sauce?
Live sauce offers several advantages, making it a standout choice for those who prioritize both taste and effects.
Here are some key benefits:
Enhanced flavor and aroma
Live sauce is known for its terpene profile, which closely mirrors the original cannabis strain. The freezing and extraction process preserves these compounds, offering an authentic representation of the plant’s natural flavors and scents.*
Rich cannabinoid content
Because of the flash-freezing process which occurs immediately after harvest, live sauce contains high concentrations of cannabinoids, such as THC and CBD, along with other minor cannabinoids and terpenes that are more likely to degrade during the dehydrating and curing process for other forms of concentrates.
By preserving more active compounds, live sauce can deliver potent effects tailored to the user’s preferences and wellness goals.*
Entourage effect
The entourage effect refers to the synergistic interaction between cannabinoids and terpenes. When the plant’s full spectrum of cannabinoids and terpenes are included in the final product, they can work synergistically to enhance the product’s effects.*
Live sauce’s balanced composition suits those seeking a holistic approach to hemp-derived wellness.*
4. Purity
Because live sauce is created through careful extraction and refinement, it offers a clean and pure concentrate free from any excess plant material and impurities.*
How does live sauce compare to other concentrates?
Live sauce is often compared to other concentrates, but it stands out for its unique characteristics.
Here’s how it differs:
- Live resin: Both are made from fresh, frozen cannabis, but live sauce has a higher terpene concentration and a more liquid consistency.
- Shatter: Shatter is solid and less terpene-rich, focusing primarily on potency.
- Distillate: Distillates are refined for pure cannabinoids, often at the expense of terpenes.
For those who value a flavorful, aromatic experience alongside potency, live resin and live sauce are ideal.
How to use live sauce
Live sauce is versatile and can be consumed in various ways, depending on your preferences. Dabbing is perhaps the most common method for consuming live sauce. A dab rig or electronic device is used to vaporize the concentrate, allowing users to inhale its flavorful vapor.
Vaping is another possibility, as many vaporizers are compatible with live sauce, offering a more portable and discreet option. However, it’s important to remember that any form of vaping may irritate the lungs, so it’s not the right choice for everyone.
Live sauce can also be incorporated into edibles and gummies to help elevate their potency and effects.*
Because live resin and live sauce are so potent, it’s generally not best for those just starting out with THC and cannabis use.
However, those who enjoy the psychoactive and therapeutic effects of cannabis and are familiar with how their body reacts to THC may enjoy the pure, potent effects of live sauce.* Remember to start slow, and always follow the directions and serving limit for your specific product.
What to consider when choosing live sauce
If you’re interested in trying live sauce, here are a few factors to keep in mind:
- Lab Testing: Look for products that are third-party tested to ensure quality, purity, and safety
- Strain Selection: The strain used can influence the flavor, aroma, and effects. Choose a strain that aligns with your personal preferences or wellness goals.
- Source: Purchase from reputable retailers to ensure you’re getting a high-quality product. At Sunmed, we prioritize clean ingredients and high-quality hemp.
The bottom line
At Sunmed, we’re passionate about delivering high-quality, ethically sourced hemp-derived products that meet the highest standards of purity and potency. Live sauce is an excellent example of how thoughtful processes and clean ingredients can create products that truly elevate the hemp experience.
Every product we offer undergoes rigorous third-party testing to ensure it’s free from contaminants and meets our strict quality standards.
*This statement has not been evaluated by the Food & Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.
Sources:
15 Cannabis Terpenes Explained | CannanCon
Health Risks of E-Cigarettes and Vaping | American Lung Association