(Live)Rosin in Amsterdam and other places

[BatRadia]

Yeah man hopefully I should be hitting town around the same time depending on passport control so a meet later in the day sounds good

Sweet, sounds like a plan!

Kimble mentioned in the main 420 thread that he might make it down for the Thursday too.

[Kimble]

I think we should discuss the further 420 planning in the corresponding thread (or via DM). The current plan is to do a LiveRosin cross-tasting at Easter in AMS so that interested members have the opportunity to try a few varieties.

The shopping list is almost complete, but unfortunately, you never know in advance whether everything is actually in stock.

And hopefully I'll find a few new discoveries that I'm looking forward to. At the top of this list is the new PeachNishi from TenCo

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5BfY_Sb2yUI

I hope the GreenPlace has imported it by Easter.

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[BatRadia]

Tasty looking shopping list!
Grey Area and Bushdoctor are definately on my list too.
Coffeeshop Mediterraine apparantly has some nice bubblehash in right now, so might check them out if they still have any.

[Kimble]

As promised, a few more reviews, today the area around the Halvemansbrug in the south of the city center. One of the best-known addresses there is certainly FamilyFirst.

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It offers a really impressive range in terms of choice. There are even 5 varieties of LiveRosin on the menu, significantly more than in most other coffee shops, and at 70€/g it's a real bargain.

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Unfortunately, the reality quickly diminishes the euphoria, as only 2-3 of the varieties on the menu were actually in stock on our last few visits. In addition, the motto "You get what you pay for" also applies here. Of course, the price is sensational, but the appearance alone makes you doubt whether it really is LiveRosin. The last thing we tried was GreenApple, which is a green, crumbly substance instead of golden honey (unfortunately I no longer have a photo of the contents).

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GreenApple was not very convincing in practice either. On a positive note, it has no off-flavors and the steam is very pleasant. Unfortunately, the taste is very flat and one-dimensional. For a short time, you actually have the nice taste of a green apple on your tongue, but this disappears very quickly. Even at 200°C, the terpenes disappear in a very short time and if you increase the temperature, only tasteless smoke with THC remains, overall a 6,5/10. If you've never tried Rosin before, you can try it here for 40€ for half a gram, but personally I would rather take 0.25g LiveRosin from BushDoctor a few hundred meters away for the same money, because it's not only at least 2 points tastier, but also gives a better impression of what concentrates can do compared to weed.

The advice at FamilyFirst was also never convincing with regard to rosin, because you get the impression that it is more of a by-product that is rarely sold. Therefore, with regard to LiveRosin, FamilyFirst is not an address that is high on my list, even if the menu looks promising.

Just 50 meters further on is the OldChurch, a coffee shop that you might not have on your radar and is usually a little emptier than the FamilyFirst.

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The menu is not quite as extensive, but quality is more important than quantity and OldChurch is very well positioned here when it comes to LiveRosin with 4 varieties from top producers

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On the one hand there is LiveRosin by RozFromFrazier from Oregon, on the other hand by the VerticalBoyz from Colorado

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The products are not a bargain (VerticalBoyz 140€/g) but when you see the look and smell the scent, there is no doubt that both are of very good quality.

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The G-4 (Gorilla Glue) of the VB has a very intense vapor, with a pine aroma and a fruity taste with a hint of lime. Despite the 50:50 hybrid, the high is rather indica-dominated and provides a pleasant feeling. The first puff is a "wow" but the longer you vape it, the more you realize that unfortunately the balance of terpenes is somewhat lacking, so that in the end it is "only" a 7.5/10.

In contrast, the OrangeCreamSoda from ROZ is rather inconspicuous at the start. At first there is a slight lime flavor on the tongue, but this is gradually replaced by the orange. A great combination with a smooth aroma in contrast to the fruit bombs from BCDR. This LiveRosin is more fun with every puff and the sativa-heavy high is also very pleasant. If you gave it a 7.5/10 on the first pass, you would know after a few more puffs from the bong that it is a strong 8/10 and therefore definitely deserves a permanent place in the house bar.

In addition to the excellent products, you also get very good advice at OldChurch, not least because it is not so crowded and you have time to try them. In this respect, we will certainly be visiting OldChurch more often, especially as it is on the direct route from the GreyArea to the BushDoctor.

[Ghost]

That TEN Co looks amazing @Kimble reminds me of some of the La Sagrada Farms I used to get a a few years ago I like the Coffeeshop Old Church and always pay a visit there when I am in town, had a really good 'Press and Dab' session there during a 420 event 2022 when I was allowed to control the press 'Good Times'

The Vertical Boys I was managing to get my hands on back in the UK a couple years ago, all was good quality when I had it, sadly I am unable to remember the £ I was paying back then. The Roz from Frazier I have never tried before But may have a look at the Meltshake if it is still on the menu when in town

Bagheera's, Old Church, BushDoctor are a few shops now on my shopping list with a coupe more thanks for the excellent reviews man

[BatRadia]

Cheers for more quality reviews Kimble.

Bit of a shame on FamilyFirst as I often stay near their and generally like it for flower and hash. I think i've gotten 2 rosin things from there, the zkittles runtz I mentioned earlier (which wasn't actually "good" good, but a nice thing to get for 9 euro) and some peach ozz rosin (0.5g 40euro) which had a very similar texture to the green apple you got. I remember it having a nice but quite subtle flavour. It was ok but yes, definately better available and not something i would get again.

The Orange Soda from Old Church sounds like my kind of thing though. Another one to take a look at in April!

[Kimble]

Before the next Rosin: a short break – brought to you by good food

Sometimes, before diving deeper into the world of terps and trichomes, a short reset is needed. And what better way than with a well-poured beer, oysters on ice, and steak tartare done right?

De Ysbreeker, located right by the Amstel, ticks all the boxes: it’s stylish without being stiff, buzzy without being hectic, and the kind of place where the bar shelf looks like a Pantone color chart.

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We went with the steak tartare topped with a poached egg, plus a side of fresh oysters, served ice-cold with three sauces. It sounds fancy – and it is – but prices are fair: most mains hover well under €30, and starters range around €10–15. Not bad for a classy canal-side spot with zero tourist chaos.

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Beer lovers will find joy here too – especially if you like it local and bold. I had the “Trackdown” New England IPA from Het Uiltje, which was refreshingly hoppy and paired beautifully with the food.

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Also worth a peek: the beer menu itself, which includes some Belgian heavy hitters like La Chouffe Blonde (8.0 %) and Gouden Carolus Tripel (9.0 %). Bonus points for the beer names – Oedipus, Eeuwige Jeugd, Mannenliefde… it's like ordering philosophy with foam on top. You’ll find something for every mood – or every moment of indecision.

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Only 15 minutes away from Bushdocter, this spot makes for a perfect pre- or post-session treat. Good food, good drinks, good vibes – and just loud enough to remind you you’re still in Amsterdam.

[Kimble]

Banana Jelly @ Balou – When small alleys deliver big surprises

Apparently, Amsterdam has a whole series of microclimates for weed quality – I like to call them terpene triangles. In an earlier post I already reported on some coffeshop side-by-side paradox (OldChurch: great / FamilyFirst: nope, Bagheera: great / BasJoe: nope). And now – surprise – another mini Bermuda Triangle just a few steps away from that OldChurch: enter Balou vs. BalboaFamily, two shops beside, but worlds between them.

First up: Balou Coffeeshop
Tucked away in a tiny alley, barely visible from the main street – and yet, what a find.

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Balou doesn’t just offer Live Rosin – they offer a proper selection, real advice, and a vibe that says: “Yes, we care what you dab.” No tourist fluff, no rushed service – just solid people who know the difference between hash and headstash.

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The highlight was clearly the Banana Jelly by Green Gold, Rating: 8.5/10 – one of the best I've had in Amsterdam so far. Flavor? Surprisingly subtle at first, but clean, tropical-sweet, and long-lasting. No muddiness, no weird aftertaste – just smooth and proper.And the best thing is: you can get it as a 0.5g jar to try for €60.

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But what really stood out was the effect: After just 1–2 rounds on the Stündenglass, the high kicked in faster and more noticeably than most Rosins I’ve tried – and that’s saying something. This led me down a mini rabbit hole: maybe it’s not just about THC percentage (they're all 70–80 % anyway), but about melting behavior. Some Rosins start to express their full flavor at lower temps – maybe the same applies to THC release? So here’s the theory:

"It’s not just what you dab – it’s when it releases."
Terpene profile, consistency, melt point – all could be affecting not just flavor, but uptake speed. Some Rosins vaporize key compounds (like THC and terpenes) more efficiently at lower temps, especially those with a softer, cold-cured consistency like Banana Jelly. A fluffy, greasy texture = more surface area = faster vapor release. Add the right terpene mix – especially carriers like myrcene or limonene, which can speed up absorption – and boom: Lift-off at 200°C.
It’s not scientifically confirmed (yet), but dabbers know: Some Rosins punch way above their percentage – and this one’s a prime example.

Banana Jelly hits like it’s been designed to arrive early and stay politely seated in your brain for a while.The Banana Jelly I tried might be born in Cali – but the next generation might just bloom in the tropics, Green Golds is starting business in Thailand now

I also tried Strawberry Fields and Jungle Cookie from Black Cats Dead Rats, made in Amsterdam, on a previous visit at Balou – both somewhere around 7–7.5/10. Decent, but lacking depth and complexity. Flavors fade quickly, and the vapor is a bit harsh – not irritating, but clearly less refined than what Green Gold delivers. Not bad – but forgettable.

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And then there’s… BalboaFamily

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Sounds similar, right? Same alley, both start with “B”… But don’t let the name fool you – this is more Rocky V than Rocky Balboa. No Live Rosin, limited selection, and a menu that looks like someone printed it at the airport kiosk. €6 weed, €7 hash – and a matching level of enthusiasm from the guy behind the counter.


Final thoughts:
If you find yourself near this alley, don’t let the similar names confuse you. Balou punches above its weight – while Balboa just… punches air. This time, the underdog shop didn’t lose – it won on points, flavor and melt curve.

[Kimble]

When I’m in Amsterdam, I somehow always end up on Haarlemmerstraat. Within just a few hundred meters, you’ll find half a dozen coffeeshops – from Green Place and Barney’s to the legendary Green House. It’s my personal “stoner triangle,” not just because of the shop selection, but also thanks to what I call premium side snacks: just a few steps down the street, Ibericus serves the best baguettes in town – freshly filled with jamón ibérico, manchego, or chorizo. And bonus points: for Amsterdam, street parking is actually doable here. If the city is my living room, then this street is definitely my couch.

Green House Haarlemmerstraat 64
The name Green House is globally known. Founder Arjan Roskam still calls himself the “King of Cannabis” – and in the '90s, he probably was. Strains like Super Silver Haze and Super Lemon Haze became legendary, and his documentary series Strain Hunters added to the fame.

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The photo wall inside the shop says it all – everyone from Snoop Dogg to Mike Tyson to Quentin Tarantino has dropped by at some point.

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Today, however, the place feels more like a museum from the pre-Instagram era. It now goes by “Cookies Lounge Amsterdam,” following a 2021 partnership with the U.S. brand Cookies. The neon signs are still there, and so is the wave of cannabis tourism. If you search Reddit, YouTube or Netflix for coffeeshop tips, odds are you’ll end up here. And the crowd looks the part.

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The problem? That reputation doesn’t quite hold up at the counter. Rosin isn’t even listed on the menu anymore (at least it wasn’t during my last visit), and when it is, it’s just a vague “GH Rosin 0.5g – €55” with no strain or batch info. During my previous visit, I was shown four jars labeled “Premier Rosin.” Each one a mystery. The staff clearly didn’t know what they were handling – no description, no comparison, just “have a look” and decide.

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Now, €110 per gram for Live Rosin isn’t unusual in the high-end world. But at that level, you expect high-end knowledge. I’ve tried a few strains from Green House out of curiosity – not terrible, but nowhere near exceptional. Let’s say it’s in the same range as Amsterdam’s BCDR… and that’s not exactly a reason to go out of your way.

Meanwhile, other premium shops offer sealed, clearly labeled, fully traceable Cali products. At Green House? No batches, no COAs, no real consistency. Even their flower menu, which includes names like “Girl Scout Cookies” and “Apple Tartz,” is served from unlabeled Tupperware. In 2025, when branding and transparency are more important than ever (more about this: Cali & Co – What’s Behind the Hype? ), this feels oddly outdated – especially for a global operation with locations in Thailand and the U.S.

Green House may still be the biggest name – but in my opinion, it’s no longer the top destination. There are better options now, with higher quality and a clearer vision. More on that in the next part.

[Kimble]

Green Place Haarlemmerstraat 6

Just a few steps down from Green House, you'll find Green Place – a shop that couldn’t feel more different. It’s small, loud, always buzzing – but behind that neon glow lies some of the best weed and Rosin you can currently get in Amsterdam.

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The shelves are packed with U.S. gear: TenCo, Ice Cream Man, Dablife, Feelgood, The Ten – names that would turn heads even in California.

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And unlike many shops that advertise a dozen strains but only have one or two in stock, here the menu actually reflects reality. Even if something runs out in the morning, a second delivery tends to land by lunchtime. It feels less like a coffeeshop and more like a dispensary with a logistics department.

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The team knows their stuff – or knows when to pass you to someone who does. Not every staff member is a Rosin expert, but if you ask about melt quality or pressing details, they’ll either give you a solid answer or say: “Hang on, let me get the right guy.” No filler talk. No bluff. Just honest, competent advice. And yes – you get to hold the jar, not just squint at it through a display case like you're at the zoo.

That said, there are trade-offs. The place is tiny, and if you show up in the afternoon, chances are you’ll be queuing outside. Also, the original 2g jars from TenCo, etc. are gone – they now offer 0.5g samples in their own Green Place packaging. Sounds great for trying more varieties? Sure. But the downside is oxidation: these mini jars just don’t stay as fresh. Not terrible – maybe a half-point drop in flavor – but there’s a clear visual difference. The rosin often looks darker, thicker, more aged. And no, it’s not just “cold cured” – this is oxidation from repackaging.

2g original jar (light, creamy)

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0,5g Green Place refill jar (darker, thicker, oxidized) - same TenCo Rosin

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But I found something new beside the TenCo Rosin, the Sour Spritzer Hash Rosin by Ice Cream Man – it’s shockingly elegant for dried flower Rosin. First wash, 90–119u, cold-cured, It’s smooth, aromatic, and deceptively strong.

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Personally, I’d be happy with just two jars: Ice Cream Man and TenCo. That’s it. That’s all I need. But I get it: the world wants choice.

Oh, and the flower? Just wow. TenCo’s Alaskan Crab Legs (Zushi Zkittlez × OG Kush) looks like someone designed it in a terp lab – and tastes exactly like it looks. Clean flavor even on the fifth dab.

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Right now, those two strains are giving me so much joy, even my beloved Black Zushi is staying sealed in the jar. Both deliver silky-smooth vapor and a kind of high that just makes you smile and never want it to end. The flashy packaging isn’t hype – it’s a sign there’s real quality inside.

And while Green House still lives off old-school fame, Green Place has embraced the now. Their Instagram feed is more alive than most websites: daily drop announcements, AI-generated teasers, flashy visuals. In 2025, branding is part of the experience – and they know it.

Bonus tip: The jamón triangle

Need a break from terps and trichomes? Walk 50 meters up the street to Ibericus. This tiny shop serves the best baguettes in town – sliced fresh and filled with jamón ibérico, Manchego or chorizo while you wait. It’s a meat-lover’s dream tucked right between Green Place, Green House (aka Cookies) and Barney’s Farm.

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If Amsterdam is my living room, Haarlemmerstraat is my couch – and Ibericus is the minibar.

[Tokeing tom]

Can anyone recommend some shops that will lend out dab rigs when purchasing rosin ..thanks

[jollylittlehun]

Can anyone recommend some shops that will lend out dab rigs when purchasing rosin ..thanks

I know for sure that Bagheera has puffco peak for use.

[Tokeing tom]

Thanks man

[BatRadia]

Can anyone recommend some shops that will lend out dab rigs when purchasing rosin ..thanks

Grey Area and Bushdoctor also definately have some (although the one i used in Grey Area was about as clean as you'd expect. I like the place and the grundgy vide it has, but i gave it back clearer than i got it).

I think Hastag has one too, but i'm not sure.