The °Brix degree is defined as the percentage by mass of pure sucrose in aqueous solution at 20°C, which means it's a measure of sugar concentration corresponding with sweetness. But when we deal with cannabis samples, the solution often contains other solids, thus a reading becomes an indication of total dissolved solids (TDS) such as minerals, salts and metals, but in rather low percentage.

Let's break it down

°Brix is measured with an instrument called refractometer, which is based on a refractive index, that has been staple of optics for two centuries, thus is scientifically sound.

In layman's terms it estimates how much light is bent when it passes through a dense material. And because different solutions bend light differently due to their specific gravity, we are able to track our specific refraction value, that is converted to °Brix automatically by a refractometer.

Why bother though? What value does °Brix scale hold for cannabis growers?

It can actually provide quick and simple answers for very difficult questions, that otherwise can be only addressed by expensive lab analysis, which most of cannabis growers never utilise in their work.

As Graeme Sait writes on Nutri-Tech Solutions website:

Low brix levels are often linked to high nitrate levels in the plant. It is impossible to achieve nutrient density in the presence of excessive nitrate nitrogen. This form of N is only ever uptaken with water, so the higher the nitrate levels the greater the dilution factor.

A watery, mineral deficient plant is a calling card for insects and disease, so this could also be called a stress meter. In effect, your likelihood of anxiety is all locked within this ten second measurement.

The higher your brix levels, the greater your farming fun. High brix plants will have a higher specific gravity. They will weigh more and, if you are paid by weight, this is a good story.

In other words, measuring °Brix lets you understand how your plants are performing... if they skyrocket or they feel a little bit down! It shows if photosynthesis is optimal as it's always related to production of carbohydrates (sucrose, glucose and fructose), and if your plant has enough minerals running in its veins.

Particularly we're talking about calcium, phosphorus, potassium and magnesium as these directly contribute to nutrient density (mineral, protein and vitamin content)... which makes for high quality produce!

As a rule of thumb growers should be looking to push their °Brix levels to at least 11-12, where #higbrix territory starts, and that means INSANE terpene/flavonoid content and superior production of cannabinoids.

How to Measure °Brix Of A Cannabis Leaf Step By Step

We put our refractometer on the table

We get our leaf, which we pluck FROM THE MIDDLE OF THE PLANT, a spoon and a piece of parchment paper

We mash a leaf it with a spoon

We squeeze the juice right onto the prism

And then we look through the eyepiece to get the reading

The reading should look like that (°Brix number we're looking for is at the shadow line)

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