As the cannabis market grows, expectations about authenticity and taste continue to rise. The customer is not content with products which “work”. They are seeking authentic experiences that reflect the plant, aromas that are memorable and taste that reflects the actual cannabis. Cannabis-derived terpenes are now in the forefront of product development due to this growing demand.
Image credit: massterpenes.com
Terpenes comprise the primary elements of the cannabis identity
Terpenes create the distinctive flavor and aroma of marijuana strains. They influence the perception of a particular product long before the effects can be felt. If properly stored Terpenes convey freshness and strain lineage. They also signal general quality. Even high-potency products that are mishandled can cause them to feel artificial.
Real Cannabis terpenes are sourced directly from cannabis flower, capturing the plant’s natural aromatic fingerprint. This is fundamentally a different method from the botanical terpene blends, which mimic cannabis profiles using compounds derived from other plants than cannabis. While botanical blends have a lower cost, they lack the level of complexity that cannabis enthusiasts expect.
The extraction method influences the outcome
How terpenes have been extracted has a big impact on the end product. Hydrocarbon extraction from fresh or fresh-frozen plant material is often favored for capturing vibrant, live-resin-like scents. These methods are used to protect the delicate compounds that could otherwise be destroyed by drying or high heat processing.
CO2 Terpenes have the advantage of being able to extract CO2. Carbon dioxide extraction produces clean, stable portions of terpenes that allow for precision control. The resulting aroma may be less pronounced than live hydrocarbon extractions, but CO2-derived profiles are admired for their consistency and purity, particularly in formulations where balance is important more than the intensity.
The two methods serve different goals, and producers who are educated choose the method which best meets their needs instead of relying on market trends.
Fresh Material can make a measurable difference
Terpenes from high-quality cannabis are harvested with the harvest. Terpenes, as a matter of fact are volatile, which means they degrade quickly when exposed to oxygen, heat or even time. If you use a fresh, frozen flower or other material that has been properly preserved, you can retain the aroma of your original.
Once degradation occurs it is impossible to recover fully what has been lost. The terpene industry is very focused on the source of raw materials as well as their handling. Fresh and damaged materials are immediately identifiable by their aroma clarity and intensity.
What to be looking to look out for when purchasing Cannabis Terpenes
It is easy to ignore flashy descriptions or exaggerated claims when looking at Cannabis products on sale. Transparency is the most important thing. The buyer should be able to understand the origins of the terpenes, their extraction, and the process after extraction.
Consistency is also a crucial factor. Cannabis-derived products, particularly those that are specific to a particular strain, must possess the same aroma from batch to batch. Wide variations could signal unstable source of production, or the rush to produce. Both of these are warning signs for quality-focused brands.
Terpene Craft: A Focused Method
Some producers attempt to be all things at once. Others choose to specialize. Mass Terpenes is in the second group. It concentrates solely on the extraction of terpenes, rather than dispersing attention between different types of products. This narrow focus permits better control of the aroma, final output, and processing.
Mass Terpenes puts an emphasis on letting the aroma do all of the talking. The flavor should be felt in the moment, not through hype.
Aroma: The Ultimate Quality Check
It’s impossible to substitute the instant a container is opened. The aroma of high-quality cannabis-derived Terpenes is instantly noticeable and it has a familiarity and depth that is difficult to replicate in synthetic blends. The aroma is the best indicator of the success.
The cannabis industry expands and expand, authenticity has emerged as the key differentiator. No matter whether a product is produced using CO2 terpenes, which are refined or cured cold, the main objective is to preserve the original flavor of the plant. Terpenes when handled with respect and care, do more than improve products. They also help carry the cannabis tradition forward.