As the marijuana industry matures and grows, so does consumer expectations. Consumers no longer want products that only “work”. They are looking for scents that help them identify the plant and its flavors that reflect the real cannabis. Terpenes that are derived from cannabis are currently at the forefront of discussions on product development because of the growing demand.
Image credit: massterpenes.com
Terpenes are among the most important ingredients of cannabis’s identity.
Terpenes provide the unique flavor and aroma of marijuana strains. They impact how a particular product is perceived before effects are felt. Terpenes, when properly preserved, communicate the freshness of the product, its strain ancestry and overall product quality. If handled improperly even the most potent product can feel flat or artificial.
Real Cannabis terpenes are sourced directly from cannabis flower, capturing the plant’s natural aromatic fingerprint. This is a distinct approach from botanical terpene mixtures, which mimic cannabis profiles with compounds extracted from other plants than cannabis. Botanical blends may be more cost-effective but they don’t have the same amount of depth as real cannabis.
The Extraction Method Defines the Result
The method of extraction used to extract Terpenes can have a major impact on their final characteristics. Hydrocarbons extracted from fresh or freshly-frozen plant materials are typically utilized to create vibrant, resinous-like scents. These methods are used to keep the delicate substances that would otherwise be destroyed by drying or high heat processing.
In addition CO2 terpenes have an additional benefit. Carbon dioxide extraction produces pure, stable portions of terpenes that allow for precision control. While the scent isn’t as strong than the aroma of hydrocarbons that are living, CO2 profiles are highly appreciated for their consistency and purity. This is especially true in formulations when balance is more important than intensity.
Producers must choose their method not based on trends but rather the outcome they want.
Fresh Material Can Make a measurable Impact
The quality of the cannabis-derived terpenes begin with the harvest. Terpenes, by their nature, are flammable, which means they degrade quickly when exposed to heat, oxygen or over a period of time. Using fresh frozen material or carefully preserved flowers can help lock in the original aromatic profile.
Once degradation occurs, there is no way to fully recover what has been lost. This is why seasoned Terpene producers are focused on sourcing and handling. The difference in the clarity of aroma in depth, complexity and intensity between fresh and compromised materials is immediately apparent.
What to be looking for when purchasing Cannabis Terpenes
You are able to easily overlook the exaggerated descriptions or flashy claims when looking at Cannabis products for sale. Transparency is more important. Buyers need to be aware of where the terpenes originate from, how they’re extracted, and what they’re processed into following extraction.
Consistency is yet another important factor. It is essential that cannabis-derived goods smell exactly the same, regardless of size. If there is a lot of difference, it could indicate insecure sourcing and rush production. Both of these are warnings for companies that are concerned about the quality of their products.
A Specified Approach to Terpene Craft
Some producers try to do all things at once. Some prefer specialization. Mass Terpenes, which focuses only on terpenes, rather than having a focus on multiple categories of products, falls into the second group. This focus on terpene extraction allows for better control over the aromas processing, as well as the final product.
By prioritizing small-batch production and precise processing, Mass Terpenes emphasizes letting the flavor be the main focus. Instead of relying on marketing the quality must be felt through the smells and flavors that are unmistakably cannabis-based.
Aroma as the Ultimate Quality Check
A lab report is not an alternative to the first time a container of cannabis is opened. The scent of premium cannabis-derived Terpenes is immediately noticeable, and it has a familiarity and complexity that is hard to match in artificial blends. Aroma remains the most honest measurement of your success.
As the market for cannabis grows and expand, authenticity has become the main distinctive feature. This is true whether producers choose live-extracted profiles or CO2 refined Terpenes. If terpenes are handled with respect and care and care, they not only make products better, they also bring the cannabis culture forward in its most recognizable shape.