Temple balls are one of the oldest and most revered forms of hashish, originally hailing from Nepal and parts of the Himalayas. For centuries, temple balls have been prized for their smooth smoke, rich aroma, and the way they naturally preserve terpenes and cannabinoids. Think of them as the ancient art form of hash, a round, glossy, and packed with flavor piece of art!
How Temple Balls are Made
Traditionally, temple balls were crafted by rubbing fresh cannabis flowers between the hands, allowing the sticky resin glands (aka trichomes) to collect on the skin. Then, by rubbing the hands together, the resin would stick to itself, forming shiny, dark spheres. These days, most makers skip the sticky palms and opt for more hygienic (and efficient) methods:
Low-heat trichome melt. Applying gentle warmth causes the trichomes to soften and bind together, creating that classic tacky, pliable texture.
Dry-sift + rosin blend. Some modern temple balls are made by combining dry-sift or bubble hash with hash rosin. The result? A softer, creamier hash that’s easy to work with and bursting with terps.
The slow rolling and curing process helps trap volatile terpenes inside, which is why temple balls often have such a deep, complex aroma that’s earthy, spicy, and sweet all at once.
How to Use Temple Balls
Temple Balls are versatile and easy to enjoy. You can use them in similarly to other pressed hash:
Add a pinch to a bowl for a smoother, more potent hit.
Roll it into a joint. Adding a “snake” of hash wrapped in flower is a time-honored combo.
Because of the soft, oily texture, temple balls are not ideal for hash domes or the old-school pin-and-glass method, unless you enjoy watching your hash melt into an expensive puddle.
If you’re looking for an old-world hash experience without the hassle, temple balls are about as chill and low-fuss as it gets.
Why We LOVE Temple Balls
Besides the history and nostalgia factor, temple balls are beloved for many reasons, some of the main ones are:
Flavor. Aging and oxidation deepen the temple ball aroma, creating rich, spicy, sometimes fruity profiles.
Texture. The soft, pliable consistency makes temple balls easy to handle and share.
Solventless. Like bubble hash and hash rosin, temple balls are made without chemical solvents. Just skill, patience, and good flower.
They’re basically the vinyl records of the hash world: old-school, tactile, and timelessly cool.
Roll on over to Dockside and experience a little piece of hashish history with Sitka’s Coastal Cream Temple Balls, available at Dockside Ballard, Green Lake, or SODO. Smooth, aromatic, and made with care, these balls are as close as you’ll get to the mountains of Nepal without leaving Seattle.