That looks amazing, how did you find it? Certainly a shit ton of seeds in it, I presume you'd pick those out first. Do you eat it or smoke it, what's your choice in using it?
Tangwena's Malawi-Style Cob Cure: Fermented Cannabis
- Thread starter SweetSue
- Start date
I'm starting a sweat of my cobs but have encountered a problem.
I harvested 5 days ago, the first 4 days whole plant drying. Yesterday trimmed to nuggets and left overnight in a paper bag. So after 5 days they are not fresh cut wet, nor dry, somewhere in between. So today I cobbed and vac sealed them. Unfortunately I have run into a problem with plan 'A', which was to insert the cobs into a large Vacuum flask and fill with hot water around 40C.
But bugger it, in my mind the flask was a lot larger than reality and I now find I can't fit them into it. My intention had been to do an overnight 'sweat' in the vacuum flask then move them to sit on the hifi amp to cure for a few weeks at around 28C. So instead, I've had to make a plan 'B' which is a large pot of hot water with 6 vac sealed 2oz cobs weighed down and covered with a lid. The water temp probably went in at about 42C, but it's now midnight and I imagine it may only last, say, 2 hours (at the most) in the sweat zone. So to further my backup plan, I'll probably refill the pot with hot water in the morning for a 2nd 'sweat' and maybe try to keep that one going for, say, 6 hours. I was only intending a 6-12 hour sweat anyway. I figure if I can give the cobs a few hours at a hot 40C for a short sweat, then allow them as long as they need at 28C, I hoping that should see me right with regular checking. Any thoughts, a second sweat shouldn't be a problem?
Here's where I am at right now.
I harvested 5 days ago, the first 4 days whole plant drying. Yesterday trimmed to nuggets and left overnight in a paper bag. So after 5 days they are not fresh cut wet, nor dry, somewhere in between. So today I cobbed and vac sealed them. Unfortunately I have run into a problem with plan 'A', which was to insert the cobs into a large Vacuum flask and fill with hot water around 40C.
But bugger it, in my mind the flask was a lot larger than reality and I now find I can't fit them into it. My intention had been to do an overnight 'sweat' in the vacuum flask then move them to sit on the hifi amp to cure for a few weeks at around 28C. So instead, I've had to make a plan 'B' which is a large pot of hot water with 6 vac sealed 2oz cobs weighed down and covered with a lid. The water temp probably went in at about 42C, but it's now midnight and I imagine it may only last, say, 2 hours (at the most) in the sweat zone. So to further my backup plan, I'll probably refill the pot with hot water in the morning for a 2nd 'sweat' and maybe try to keep that one going for, say, 6 hours. I was only intending a 6-12 hour sweat anyway. I figure if I can give the cobs a few hours at a hot 40C for a short sweat, then allow them as long as they need at 28C, I hoping that should see me right with regular checking. Any thoughts, a second sweat shouldn't be a problem?
Here's where I am at right now.
tangwena
Well-Known Member
I dont see a problem my friend just dont open and dry them for a week. Then proceed as per plan.I'm starting a sweat of my cobs but have encountered a problem.
I harvested 5 days ago, the first 4 days whole plant drying. Yesterday trimmed to nuggets and left overnight in a paper bag. So after 5 days they are not fresh cut wet, nor dry, somewhere in between. So today I cobbed and vac sealed them. Unfortunately I have run into a problem with plan 'A', which was to insert the cobs into a large Vacuum flask and fill with hot water around 40C.
But bugger it, in my mind the flask was a lot larger than reality and I now find I can't fit them into it. My intention had been to do an overnight 'sweat' in the vacuum flask then move them to sit on the hifi amp to cure for a few weeks at around 28C. So instead, I've had to make a plan 'B' which is a large pot of hot water with 6 vac sealed 2oz cobs weighed down and covered with a lid. The water temp probably went in at about 42C, but it's now midnight and I imagine it may only last, say, 2 hours (at the most) in the sweat zone. So to further my backup plan, I'll probably refill the pot with hot water in the morning for a 2nd 'sweat' and maybe try to keep that one going for, say, 6 hours. I was only intending a 6-12 hour sweat anyway. I figure if I can give the cobs a few hours at a hot 40C for a short sweat, then allow them as long as they need at 28C, I hoping that should see me right with regular checking. Any thoughts, a second sweat shouldn't be a problem?
Here's where I am at right now.
The short sweat will start the process it will just take longer to cure than longer sweats but you should still get a nice result.
After a week inspect them and surface dry them if needed. They may take a month or more but you should get a terpy colorful result with a nice high at the end of it.
I’m dying to give this a go. I think some of the GSC from the 420 Magazine comparative might finally get me here.
Lots of reading to catch up on, but that’s one thing about cobs, right? Plenty of time.
Lots of reading to catch up on, but that’s one thing about cobs, right? Plenty of time.
Thanks Tangwena! That is exactly what I decided to do. By the following morning the pot's water temp was only mildly warm, so I decided with family around I couldn't do much until the evening, so during the day every couple of hours I mostly emptied and refilled with fresh hot water into the pot. I formed the cobs about 6 hours before I got the freedom to start the 'sweat' stage. They were well rolled and tightly compressed, so much so that it is hard to believe each was about 2 ounces. So for my cob 'sweat' stage, it has been about 24 hours where the temperature has probably fluctuated up to highs of perhaps 42C - 45C (I'm going on memory of hand temperature of thermal hot pools!) down to 30C or way less. I feel from what I have read that it should be enough to kick start the fermenting.
Currently they're sitting wrapped in a plastic bag discretely on a stereo amp that gives about a constant 28C. I feel the 5 days pre-drying including 24 hours cut to budlets will have come close to doing more of a drier (but not excessively dry) ferment. I noticed no apparent sweating to the vac sealed cobs after this 24 hour sweat, no blowing up of gas, they still seem quite crinkled and vac sealed, altho the baking paper I used to wrap them does perhaps appear slightly damp from what I can see. So I feel they should be safe from mold risk to continue with the 'curing' phase unopened for 7 days.
I wonder if I can expect the smell to be right for ageing after 7 days when unwrapped, if not I will re vac seal unwrapped so at least I can observe any colour changes.
I really can't wait open them up and see how they are.
I first saw this on Tangwena's original thread elsewhere, which I read all of it, and this one too which Sweet Sue started off, I read through the whole lot of this too, it was really interesting to see the evolution of ideas and different folk trying it out and chiming in with their experiences, so now I strangely feel an old hand at it even though it is a totally new. thing. Initially when I read this I didn't have the confidence or the amount needed to try this, last year I came close to trying it but this year I have read heaps and I bought a vac sealer so I am ready. This year I have put half the harvest give or take, into it, as even if it goes pear shaped the rest is still plenty for the year ahead. I made 6 cobs of about 2 ounces each, so as you say, fingers crossed if you have 'em!
tangwena
Well-Known Member
If the moisture content of the buds is right you dont need to sweat it first just keep it vacuum sealed on top of your amp. You can open and check them anytime as long as you re seal them after, so you can check them weekly if you want.Thanks Tangwena! That is exactly what I decided to do. By the following morning the pot's water temp was only mildly warm, so I decided with family around I couldn't do much until the evening, so during the day every couple of hours I mostly emptied and refilled with fresh hot water into the pot. I formed the cobs about 6 hours before I got the freedom to start the 'sweat' stage. They were well rolled and tightly compressed, so much so that it is hard to believe each was about 2 ounces. So for my cob 'sweat' stage, it has been about 24 hours where the temperature has probably fluctuated up to highs of perhaps 42C - 45C (I'm going on memory of hand temperature of thermal hot pools!) down to 30C or way less. I feel from what I have read that it should be enough to kick start the fermenting.
Currently they're sitting wrapped in a plastic bag discretely on a stereo amp that gives about a constant 28C. I feel the 5 days pre-drying including 24 hours cut to budlets will have come close to doing more of a drier (but not excessively dry) ferment. I noticed no apparent sweating to the vac sealed cobs after this 24 hour sweat, no blowing up of gas, they still seem quite crinkled and vac sealed, altho the baking paper I used to wrap them does perhaps appear slightly damp from what I can see. So I feel they should be safe from mold risk to continue with the 'curing' phase unopened for 7 days.
I wonder if I can expect the smell to be right for ageing after 7 days when unwrapped, if not I will re vac seal unwrapped so at least I can observe any colour changes.
I really can't wait open them up and see how they are.
I first saw this on Tangwena's original thread elsewhere, which I read all of it, and this one too which Sweet Sue started off, I read through the whole lot of this too, it was really interesting to see the evolution of ideas and different folk trying it out and chiming in with their experiences, so now I strangely feel an old hand at it even though it is a totally new. thing. Initially when I read this I didn't have the confidence or the amount needed to try this, last year I came close to trying it but this year I have read heaps and I bought a vac sealer so I am ready. This year I have put half the harvest give or take, into it, as even if it goes pear shaped the rest is still plenty for the year ahead. I made 6 cobs of about 2 ounces each, so as you say, fingers crossed if you have 'em!
If they appear damp then surface dry them so they feel dry on the surface even if they are still moist internally.
Then reseal them for another week it may take 4 to 6 weeks to get that sweet fermented smell but it should happen.
The only thing that will stop them curing is if they are too dry. Then it will not happen but the buds will still be ok so you will have lost nothing.
Best of luck my friend some pics as you go along would be helpful.
tangwena
Well-Known Member
Go for my friend if you get it right you will fall in love with it.
Thanks Tangwena, Here is a photo update for your experienced eyes! This morning I untied and unwrapped the cobs to inspect them and then I re-vacsealed them and returned them to the approx 28C temp of sitting on the stereo amp.
In these photos, so far they have been in a 24 hour 'sweat' stage which was done in a pot of hot water which cooled off between refills (and overnight). Because of the cooling off between refills I would suggest that my 'sweat' stage might be more accurately estimated as closer to 12hours.
They have had 2 days in the 'ferment' stage at 28C, and are currently 3 days old.
The Godfather OG buds all had purple bracts and green sugar leaves so I don't know whether that coloration will in time make a darker cob or whether it can still be 'golden'.
So far I feel they're going to plan. I was drawn to cobbing as soon as I read about it probably 2 years ago. It really intrigued me and had me wondering if one of the finest smokes I've ever had was related to this, and I am going back 35 years ago to some weed I got in Sydney, Australia, that was said to be Columbian Gold, it was not loose and green, but pressed and golden, and now I think it may have been fermented and cured like as in cobbing. Anyway what do you think? Many thanks!
Here's a closeup I just added.
tangwena
Well-Known Member
Looking good and from your description it should cure well to a nice golden color with good terps.
Keep up weekly inspections you can see the herb through the bag but its good to check the development of the aroma as well hence weekly nose testing.
From experience it will take 2 to 3 weeks from here at 28c keep them on that temp.
They could take 4 to 8 weeks to finish from here, once you get a sweet hashish type smell dry them more fully and reseal to age and you should get a really nice cure.
Cant wait to do some more myself its an addiction not just the consuming but more the producing ha ha.
Keep up weekly inspections you can see the herb through the bag but its good to check the development of the aroma as well hence weekly nose testing.
From experience it will take 2 to 3 weeks from here at 28c keep them on that temp.
They could take 4 to 8 weeks to finish from here, once you get a sweet hashish type smell dry them more fully and reseal to age and you should get a really nice cure.
Cant wait to do some more myself its an addiction not just the consuming but more the producing ha ha.
DarkAgdistis
420 Member
Today was the scheduled day to take one of the Trainwreck cob and let it dry for 2 weeks, and then age again until it will be consummed. So that's what I just did 
The smell is sweet and nice, but visually there's hardly any crystals on the cob ( you see some slightly on the left side ) and the whole cob is not exactly yellow/golden .... so I hope it will still be powerful.
The curing lasted 2 months ... which seems to be too short from all the posts I have read on the topic.
Next cobs will reach 3 months of curing, at least.
The smell is sweet and nice, but visually there's hardly any crystals on the cob ( you see some slightly on the left side ) and the whole cob is not exactly yellow/golden .... so I hope it will still be powerful.
The curing lasted 2 months ... which seems to be too short from all the posts I have read on the topic.
Next cobs will reach 3 months of curing, at least.
tangwena
Well-Known Member
Still looks good to me my friend you will find crystals will most probably come during the aging.Today was the scheduled day to take one of the Trainwreck cob and let it dry for 2 weeks, and then age again until it will be consummed. So that's what I just did
The smell is sweet and nice, but visually there's hardly any crystals on the cob ( you see some slightly on the left side ) and the whole cob is not exactly yellow/golden .... so I hope it will still be powerful.
The curing lasted 2 months ... which seems to be too short from all the posts I have read on the topic.
Next cobs will reach 3 months of curing, at least.
If it smells good it will be good the nose knows my friend.
Good stuff exciting eh! Was your 2 month cure at room temperature or did you keep it warmer?Today was the scheduled day to take one of the Trainwreck cob and let it dry for 2 weeks, and then age again until it will be consummed. So that's what I just did
The smell is sweet and nice, but visually there's hardly any crystals on the cob ( you see some slightly on the left side ) and the whole cob is not exactly yellow/golden .... so I hope it will still be powerful.
The curing lasted 2 months ... which seems to be too short from all the posts I have read on the topic.
Next cobs will reach 3 months of curing, at least.
DarkAgdistis
420 Member
While in the vaccuum :
1. the cobs were sweated for 24h ( in the Yoghurt box ),
2. I fermented at 28C for 1 week and,
3. for 2 months, I have cured at room temperature.
Now in the open air :
it's drying slowly at room temperature
1. the cobs were sweated for 24h ( in the Yoghurt box ),
2. I fermented at 28C for 1 week and,
3. for 2 months, I have cured at room temperature.
Now in the open air :
it's drying slowly at room temperature
TriangleCheese
Well-Known Member
Hi Stunger. I haven't tried indica buds for now. I only tried hybrid genetics and they are so mixed that I can't tell if they are sativa or indica dominant. But the taste was incredible and hit like a train.
I did some experimentation on my last COB's. I sealed them real fast and they still had like %80 moisture. Fermented over two months like slow cooking both sides on my wireless router, where the surface temperature is somewhere between 50-60 degrees Celsius. I used some papers to reduce the surface heat to 50 degrees Celsius. After some sweating, it stopped producing water drops and I kept seal for 3-4 weeks.
Smell and taste is out of this world and I think longer fermentation made it hit so hard. Your COB batch is kinda big. Mine weighted 50 grams wet and after curing I didn't measure it. It is easier to manage a smaller batch on a modem
About indica buds, I'll definitely try them on my next harvest. I got Purple Punch and some terpene crazy Pink Kush pheno alongside with Chocolate Chunk and Tropicana Poison. I'll COB some Pink Kush to see how a pure indica performs. After this harvest, I'll have more Choco clones available for flowering so I'll COB this pure indica strain at the end of this summer as well. I can't imagine how Pink Kush and Choco will smell after COB.
COB brought joy to my smoking life whether I do it with indicas, hybrids or sativas. Happy COB'bing everyone
Thanks for coming back TC, that's really encouraging! Yes I meant hybrid buds when I mentioned indica, as my harvest this year was all hybrids, just that they are more dominant in one than the other.
That's interesting, and wonderful how every cob cure is unique. The ferment/cure temperature you effectively used is impressive for being quite warm and reassuring how they turned out.
Originally I was going to make 1oz cobs but when it came to it, time was short and it was easier to just make them bigger. It was also suggested to me that I could try cobbing on different days post harvest to experiment with what is most ideal in regard to pre cobbing drying times, but there is a certain amount of luck with me getting a clear run to do this stuff, and after 4 days of whole plant hanging and then 1 day in a brown paper bag trimmed, I had a clear run and I felt that they were about right, but we'll see, my ferment/cure temp is about 28C so I will keep them there for a few weeks at least. As Tangwena says, to open them regularly and smell the progress. I could have done a smaller test run but my grow cycle is 1 year outdoors, so I really didn't want to wait another year to make more, I have cobbed about half my recent harvest, as I can get by fine with the remaining jarred buds if I screw this up the attempt at cobbing.Smell and taste is out of this world and I think longer fermentation made it hit so hard. Your COB batch is kinda big. Mine weighted 50 grams wet and after curing I didn't measure it. It is easier to manage a smaller batch on a modem
When you chose to stop the ferment/cure, did you do so primarily from their appearance/smell, or were you just wanting to do a long ferment/cure?
I am so looking forward to these. So much that I continually want to open and check them. Which I will do tomorrow, as it will be 7 days if I get clear run with the family out.
To give an update. The cobs are now in total 9 days old, 1 day sweat and currently 8 days at around 28C for fermenting.
I really want to open them up but with school holidays the coast hasn't been clear and the best I could do was take some photos tonight of them still sealed up and with artificial light. I would have preferred to have opened and photographed them in daylight like last time for better comparison. But anyway, they're the current circumstances.
The the cobs look to have shrunken a bit. The ones of the Mango Sherbert and the Godfather OG appeared to have both now have a little air gap on the inside. After 9 days the Strawberry Cough appears more vac sealed than the other two.
I forgot to mention last time that I also saw some modest bloom crystals on the cobs. I am looking forward to the chance of opening these up for a close look. By from what I can see tonight , they appear in good order, no mold just shrunken a bit. From the more shrunken appearance now compared to 6 days ago and the loss of vacuum appearance of 2 of the packets I thought perhaps the seal had broken but I had a close check and as far as I can tell the seals are still all intact and good. Hopefully they're still on track.
And a couple taken closer up.
I really want to open them up but with school holidays the coast hasn't been clear and the best I could do was take some photos tonight of them still sealed up and with artificial light. I would have preferred to have opened and photographed them in daylight like last time for better comparison. But anyway, they're the current circumstances.
The the cobs look to have shrunken a bit. The ones of the Mango Sherbert and the Godfather OG appeared to have both now have a little air gap on the inside. After 9 days the Strawberry Cough appears more vac sealed than the other two.
I forgot to mention last time that I also saw some modest bloom crystals on the cobs. I am looking forward to the chance of opening these up for a close look. By from what I can see tonight , they appear in good order, no mold just shrunken a bit. From the more shrunken appearance now compared to 6 days ago and the loss of vacuum appearance of 2 of the packets I thought perhaps the seal had broken but I had a close check and as far as I can tell the seals are still all intact and good. Hopefully they're still on track.
And a couple taken closer up.
tangwena
Well-Known Member
Looking good brother a little shrinkage is all good in cob land it should be just fine its just amalgamating all part of the cure.
With family about I'm still looking for a clear free time to open, look, check, photograph, smell and re-vac seal, ideally ASAP, especially as the Mango Sherbert and Godfather OG cobs which have shrunk a bit more than the Strawberry Cough and both now have small air gaps inside, they are all still 100% sealed though.
So in writing this I felt I better go check that there is no sign of mold given that there is an evident air gap inside. I looked closely without opening and they all appear good, no sign of mold.
They are 9 days old right now. Yesterday I mistakenly said they were 9 days old then, but they weren't they were 8 days old! Here's a pic.
and a couple more closer up