Choosing and storing CBD correctly (quality, testing)

Not all CBD is equal. Between a flower grown with care and lab-tested, and a dodgy product bought on a whim, there's a chasm. The problem is that when you're starting out, you can't tell the difference. We'll teach you to spot a quality product, to read a lab analysis without a chemistry PhD, and to store your CBD so it doesn't turn into worthless hay at the back of a drawer.

How to recognise a good CBD flower

A quality flower can be seen, smelled and felt. Here are the tell-tale signs. The visual aspect first: a fine flower is dense, well-formed, covered in tiny glittering crystals (the trichomes) that reflect its richness. The colour should be clean, vivid, with shades of green and sometimes coloured highlights. A dull, brown or dusty flower is a bad sign.

The smell next: a good flower gives off a powerful, characteristic aroma, fruity, earthy or spicy depending on the variety. It's the sign that terpenes are present. Finally, the touch: the flower should be slightly sticky and supple, neither too dry (it crumbles) nor too moist (risk of mould).

How to recognise a good resin

For resin, the criteria are similar but adapted. A good resin has a homogeneous texture and a pronounced smell. Depending on whether it's oily or dry, its consistency varies, but in all cases it shouldn't be hard as stone nor smell stale. Colour and aroma are, once again, good indicators of quality.

Lab analyses: proof through science

Here's the most reliable criterion, the one that doesn't lie. A serious CBD product is tested by an independent laboratory. These analyses check the exact cannabinoid content, the THC level (which must stay below the legal threshold), and the absence of contaminants. It's your guarantee of buying a compliant, clean product.

At Travers Shop, transparency is no empty word: the analyses are available directly on each product page. You can consult them before buying, with no need to ask. Our products are tested several times a year by an independent laboratory, the laboratory of the company TM Nature Distribution, specialised in CBD analysis. Nothing to hide, everything to show.

How to read a lab analysis

No need to be a chemist. An analysis is read by spotting a few key pieces of information. Look for the CBD level (and the other cannabinoids present): it tells you the richness of the product. Check the THC level: it must absolutely be below the legal threshold. Finally, look at the contaminants section (pesticides, heavy metals): they should be absent or below authorised limits. If these three boxes are ticked, the product is clean.

Indoor, outdoor, hydroponics: what's the difference?

The cultivation method directly influences the quality of the flower. Indoor cultivation takes place in a fully controlled environment: light, temperature, humidity. The result, often very high-quality, rich and homogeneous flowers. Outdoor cultivation benefits from natural sunlight, more economical but subject to the whims of the weather. Hydroponics grows plants soil-free in a nutrient solution, for maximum control.

How to store your CBD

A good product poorly stored quickly loses its qualities. The three enemies of CBD are light, air and heat. Light degrades cannabinoids, air oxidises them, and heat accelerates ageing. To preserve your CBD as long as possible, store it in an airtight, opaque container, away from light, in a cool, dry place.

A tinted glass jar, sealed airtight, kept in a cupboard at room temperature, is ideal. Absolutely avoid leaving your flowers out in the open or in direct sunlight on a windowsill: within a few weeks, they'd lose their aroma and effectiveness.

How long does CBD keep?

Well stored, a CBD product keeps its qualities for many months, often up to a year or even longer depending on the form. Once opened, consume it within a reasonable time to enjoy its full potential. The rule is simple: the more you protect it from light, air and heat, the longer it stays good. Over to you, now that you know it all.