Curing vs. Drying (difference?)
Let's call my buddy "J" (just b/c it seems to fit the topic ;-)) So recently J received a new strain of headies type buds, and allowed me to examine them. I criticized it a little bit b/c --although it had decent trichome-coverage and otherwise looked great-- the buds looked partially uncured. I would estimate about 75% cured (0% = right off the plant, 100% = completely cured).
When I say 'uncured', I don't necessarily mean moist or wet (to be honest though it WAS a little moist but as soon as brought home it was left in open-air to dry). But ultimately what I meant was: the overall bud structure lacked appropriate density and was too LOOSE. I believe this is also indicated by it's tendency for a lot of it's calyxes (oval shaped pods with a point @ one end) to be loose enough to fall off the stem/bud. Now this strain is 60% Indica, so I've ruled out that what I am seeing is the bud 'lankiness' typical of Sativas (because it's only 40 Sativa) and even if it was full Sativa the buds should be more compact than they are. Also the smoke is a bit harsh on the lungs in a way that I associate with non-cured. The trichomes are not quite as white as they should be; about 50% of them are sliver/transparent than white (so this is of course better than mainly yellow/orange ones I guess)
So I tell this to J, and he gets a little defensive (not enough that he's douchey, just a real subtle vibe). He talked to the grower, "B", and the grower said it was done deliberately b/c don't like sending out buds that are brittle and "bone dry" (buds breaking, unappealing, etc... I guess). Said if requested, that buds would be cured longer before they are sent (the thought that this would only delay sending them a few days may = assumption it is the same as quick-drying).
This popped a question in my head. It seems the grower was referring to curing as if it were the same as drying. I had the impression that bud gets dried AS SOON AS the plant is cut, and then curing takes place very slowly. For example, when harvested the buds are hung to dry just enough so that the stems snap (but buds still 'spongy'). Then the buds are placed in a brown paper bag in the fridge to ensure the buds dry VERY slowly over a 4(ish) week period. This is when the calyxes and plant matter begins to contract and become dense, leaving not much looseness relative to the strain's inherent bud density. When most calyxes blend in with each other to form a uniform greenery & consistency, this may indicate they are finished, ready to smoke (is this right?).
So now my question is, in what way did the harvester screw up? My intuition says that the buds needed cured longer to get denser and hold it's calyxes, but I'm not 100% that the above explanation is true about what curing is and it's function & effect on bud-structure, just my impression. Also, assuming the grower doesn't know the difference (more likely doesn't care / economic tactic), what would be a good way to explain it to a simple-minded person without sounding offensive & insulting their product?
TL;DR ----> Is there a difference between curing and drying buds? Like, drying rapidly (after picking) just till the stems snap, then drying much more slowly (4 weeks) to make the buds gradually drier and denser (= curing)?