Charas

Charas

Charas is a traditional type of hash from South Asia, especially associated with India, Nepal and the Himalayan region. What sets it apart is that it is made by hand from the resin of living cannabis plants rather than from dried plant material.

More about Charas

Most types of hash are made from dried plants, where the trichomes are separated and pressed together, much like kief. Charas is instead rubbed off the flowering plants while they are still growing, and the sticky resin collects on the palms and is formed into small balls or sticks. This gives charas a dark, soft and often slightly sticky consistency.

The best-known charas comes from the Himalayas, particularly the Parvati Valley in the Indian state of Himachal Pradesh. The village of Malana has given its name to "Malana Cream", which is probably the most famous charas name internationally.

Charas in history

In India, charas has traditionally been one of three classic cannabis terms alongside ganja, which refers to the flowers, and bhang, which is made from the leaves. The British colonial administration used this same division in the Indian Hemp Drugs Commission of 1894, one of the first large official reports on cannabis.

Charas also became known in the West in the 1960s and 70s, when the so-called hippie trail brought travelers to Kathmandu and northern India. Nepal banned cannabis in 1973, and India followed with the NDPS Act in 1985. Today, charas is mainly discussed as part of cannabis history and culture.