As the cannabis market matures consumer expectations regarding flavor and authenticity are increasing. Consumers no longer want products that just “work”. They want scents that help them identify it, and tastes that resemble the real cannabis. Terpenes that are derived from cannabis are currently in the forefront of product development due to the growing demand.
Image credit: massterpenes.com
What are the Terpenes that define Cannabis identity?
Terpenes is the compound responsible for the distinct aroma and taste of cannabis strains. They influence how a product is perceived prior to any effects are felt. When properly stored, terpenes communicate freshness, strain lineage as well as overall quality. If they are not handled properly even the most potent products may feel artificial or spongy.
Cannabis terpenes are extracted directly from the flower of cannabis plants. they capture the plant’s unique aromatic fingerprint. This is an entirely different approach from botanical terpene mixtures, which mimic cannabis profiles using compounds derived from other plants than cannabis. While botanical blends can be cost-effective however, the flavor depth that consumers are used to from cannabis isn’t always there.
The extraction method determines the final result
How the terpenes were extracted will have a major influence on the end product. Hydrocarbons obtained from fresh or newly-frozen plant material are commonly utilized to produce vibrant, resinous-like scents. These techniques safeguard fragile substances, which are prone to be lost in high-heat or drying processes.
At the same time, CO2 terpenes offer a different advantage. Carbon dioxide extraction allows for precise control and produces pure, stable terpene fragments. The aroma of the profile might be less intense when compared to live hydrocarbon extractions. However, CO2 profiles provide consistency and purity, particularly when formulas are based on balance more than intensity.
Both methods have different objectives, and those who are educated choose the method that is most suitable for their requirements rather than relying on marketing trends.
Fresh Material Could Make a measurable difference
At harvest the purity of cannabis-derived compounds is determined. Terpenes have a volatile nature and degrade when exposed the elements of heat, oxygen or over time. Use of fresh frozen material and properly preserved flowers can help to keep the original aromatic profile.
After degradation has occurred the extraction method won’t be able restore everything of the lost. This is why seasoned terpene producers focus obsessively on the sourcing process and handling. The differences in aroma clarity, depth and complexity between fresh and compromised material is instantly noticeable.
What to look for when buying cannabis Terpenes
Exaggerated descriptions and flashy words are easy to ignore when it comes to evaluating Cannabis Terpenes. What matters more is transparency. Buyers need to know where the terpenes came from the source, the method of extraction, and the way they are treated after extraction.
Consistency is another important aspect. The scent of cannabis-derived items must be consistent from batch to batch. This is particularly true when the strains are different. Large variations often indicate unstable source or rush production, which are both red flags for companies focused on high-quality.
Terpene Craft: A Focused Methodology
Certain producers are multi-faceted. Some prefer specialization. Mass Terpenes is in the second category. It focuses exclusively on terpenes extraction, rather than dividing attention between multiple product types. This focus on terpene extraction allows for more control over aroma processing, and final output.
Mass Terpenes puts an emphasis on letting the smell take the lead. Instead of heavily relying on hype, Massterpenes wants to let the aroma speak for itself.
Aroma as A Quality Check
A lab report is not an equivalent to the first time that a cannabis bottle is opened. The aroma of high-quality cannabis-derived Terpenes is instantly noticeable and has a familiarity and complexity that is hard to replicate in synthetic blends. Aroma is the most reliable measure of success.
As the cannabis industry evolves and becomes more authentic, it is the primary distinguishing factor. The goal is the same, regardless of whether the producer is using CO2 terpenes or cold-cured varieties. Terpenes, when handled with care and a sense of purpose can do more than just improve products. They also bring the cannabis culture forward.