• by Koa Simon
  • Dec 03, 2023

What is the Difference Between CBD Top Flower and CBD Small Flower?

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It’s not a wonder that CBD has taken the world by storm in the past few years. Top-shelf hemp flower promises a variety of health benefits. It creates a carefree environment for conversations and laughter, all without the psychoactive effects of THC.

It’s no surprise that with the rapid expansion of the CBD industry, different types of products have become available. It’s crucial to know the distinction between these products to make an informed purchase. 

Two cannabis terms that are confusing buyers are CBD top flower and CBD small flower. What are they? Why are small buds cheaper? Is it because smaller buds are less potent? If you have the same questions, you’ve come to the right place!

Today, we will take a closer look at the differences between these two top-shelf flowers to settle the argument once and for all. Let’s go!

What is CBD Top Flower?

CBD top flower refers to the top portion of the hemp plant. Have you ever seen the big, beautiful buds surrounded by the plant’s leaves? Those are tops. 

CBD-rich trimmed tops absorb the most sunlight and are full of beneficial cannabinoids. They are hand-trimmed and carefully cured to ensure maximum CBD potency. 

These parts of the hemp flower are highly sought-after by CBD enthusiasts who want to indulge in a lavish cannabis experience. 

What is CBD Small Flower?

CBD small flower is just the mini version of the CBD top flower. The top-shelf small flower comes from a different part of the hemp flower, but it undergoes the same trimming and curing process.

There is limited space on a branch. Where there is empty space between and below larger buds, smaller buds will emerge. These lower parts receive less sunlight than the top parts, so they don’t get to grow as much. 

Sometimes, smaller buds come from top buds that have broken down during processing. So they’re essentially the same thing. 

Top Flower Vs. Small Flower

If the two varieties of top-shelf flowers are just different sizes of the same thing, then why are smaller buds cheaper? Are small buds less potent than their larger counterparts?

Let’s dive deeper into the differences between top and small flower to answer these questions.

Quality

Most people avoid smaller buds because they think these parts of hemp flower have a lower quality than the top parts. They are smaller, so they must have fewer cannabinoids and terpenes, right? Wrong!

The top-shelf small flower is just as potent as the top flower. It has the same remarkable CBD content and terpene profile. The size of the buds makes no difference in the overall quality and potency of the product. You can still enjoy the medical benefits of CBD with these smaller buds. 

Market Availability and Price

Since they have the same potency, why are small buds cheaper than top buds? The only reason is their higher availability and lower appeal. With the higher demand for larger buds, smaller buds enjoy a greater availability. 

The thing is, not all cannabis users will go for top-shelf small flower. These smaller buds don’t have the same visual appeal that CBD-rich trimmed tops have. So they’re more accessible and much cheaper. If you want to enjoy CBD on a lower budget, smaller buds are for you!

Moisture and Longevity

Another distinction between CBD top and small flowers is their moisture content. Smaller buds have less surface area to stick to, so they retain less moisture. On the other hand, larger buds may be sticky inside and retain more moisture. 

This decreased moisture content is crucial for preventing mold formation in top-shelf small flower. The reduced chance of mold growth in smaller buds might make them last longer than top flower.

How to Use Smaller Buds

A man rolling a CBD joint


Now that you know small buds are not less potent than larger buds, you can confidently use them to create a CBD wellness routine for yourself. You can easily portion and use them to make prerolls, tinctures, and edibles.

Making Prerolls With Small CBD Flower

A great way of smoking hemp flower is to make your own prerolls using smaller buds. Here is how you can make them:

  1. Gather your top-shelf small flower, rolling papers, a grinder, and a packing tool like a pen. 
  2. Break down the buds into a finer consistency using the grinder.
  3. Spread the ground flower along the length of your rolling paper. 
  4. Roll the paper and pack the flower with your pen. 
  5. Lick the edge of the paper, seal it, smoke, and enjoy!

Making Tinctures With Smaller Buds

Those who wonder why small buds are cheaper than larger ones will never experience the pure joy of making their own CBD tinctures at home!

Here is how you can try this DIY project yourself:

  1. Grind and dry your top-shelf flower in the oven at 240°F for 40 minutes.
  2. Place the ground buds in a mason jar and cover them with high-quality ethanol. 
  3. Seal and leave the jar in a warm environment for several weeks, shaking it daily to ensure proper infusion.
  4. Strain the mixture and store the tincture in a dark bottle in a cool place. 

Making Edibles With Smaller Buds

Cooking with CBD is easier than you think! You can use CBD-rich trimmed tops or hemp flower smalls to make delicious edibles. 

Here is a recipe for CBD-infused cookies:

  1. Preheat the oven to 240°F.
  2. Cream ⅓ cups of softened butter with ½ cup of sugar.
  3. Add one egg and 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract. 
  4. Combine 1 cup of flour with ½ teaspoon of baking powder and a pinch of salt in another bowl.
  5. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the butter mixture and add 1 cup of top-shelf flower.
  6. Drop spoonfuls of the dough on your baking sheet, flatten the tops, and bake them for 10-12 minutes until they turn golden brown.
  7. Let them cool on a wire rack before digging in!

Buy Top-Shelf Flower From Rogue Origin

Now that you know why smaller buds are cheaper, we bet you’re excited to try them and save a buck or two on your next purchase. To ensure you get the same quality buds as top flower, you should shop from a reliable seller with a good track record. 

With over a decade of experience and tons of happy customers, Rogue Origin is here to get your hands on top-shelf flower. Our cultivars are available as top or small flower. You can try either one based on your preference. 


Shop our CBD-rich trimmed tops and hemp flower smalls today and get free shipping on $75+ orders. Don’t hesitate to contact us with any questions about our products. We’d love to hear from you!

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Koa Simon

Koa Simon is a 25-year-old from the Big Island of Hawaii. He grew up on a small organic farm where he learned to love and appreciate nature. He moved to Oregon to pursue his passion for working with plants. Koa is the one who starts all of our seeds and cares for our plants in the greenhouse. You could call him our Nursery Manager. He's been with Rogue Origin for 8 years and in that time he's become a jack-of-all-trades on our farm, capable of jumping from each job in the field and also helping to manage the office. Koa spends most of his free time outdoors exploring trails around Oregon's beautiful landscape.

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