As the cannabis industry develops, consumer expectations about flavor and authentic are increasing. The customer is no longer satisfied by products that “work”. They are seeking experiences that are true to the plant, aromas that evoke recognition and taste that reflects actual cannabis. This increasing demand has put Cannabis Terpenes derived from Cannabis at the heart of important discussions about product development.
Image credit: massterpenes.com
The Terpenes that Define Cannabis Identity
Terpenes give the distinct taste and aroma of marijuana strains. They impact the way a product’s perceived quality can be determined long before effects are actually felt. Terpenes, when properly preserved can convey the freshness of the product, its strain ancestry and overall quality of the product. Even products with high potency that are handled improperly can make them appear fake.
Real Cannabis terpenes are sourced directly from cannabis flower, capturing the plant’s natural aromatic fingerprint. This is a distinct distinction from botanical terpene mixtures, that attempt to replicate cannabis profiles using compounds extracted from non-cannabis cannabis plants. While botanical blends are more affordable, they do not provide the same level of depth that cannabis experts consider to be part of it.
The extraction technique determines the final outcome
The method of extraction of terpenes plays a major role in the final character. Hydrocarbons are extracted from plant material that is either fresh or frozen, and this method can capture the vibrant aromas of a live resin. These techniques preserve fragile compounds which are easily lost when drying or heat processing.
CO2 Terpenes have the advantage of being able to extract CO2. Carbon dioxide extraction is precise and results in stable, clean terpene fractions. The resultant aroma could be more solitary than extracting live hydrocarbons, however CO2 derived profiles are valued for consistency and purity especially when it comes to formulations that require balance more than intensity.
It’s impossible to decide between the two. Each has an objective that is distinct, and producers should decide based on their desired outcome, not the latest trends in marketing.
Fresh Material Could Make an observable difference
Terpenes from high-quality cannabis are harvested with the harvest. Terpenes are degraded quickly when exposed to heat, oxygen or even time. When you use fresh, frozen flowers or other material that has been properly preserved, you can retain the aroma of your original.
After degradation has occurred, no extraction technique will be able to restore all of the lost. For this reason, experienced producers of terpenes are obsessed with finding and processing. The difference in aroma clarity in depth, complexity and intensity between fresh and compromised material is instantly noticeable.
What to look out to look out for when purchasing Cannabis Terpenes
It’s easy to overlook exaggerated claims and descriptions when looking at Cannabis Terpenes. More important is the transparency. The purchaser should be able to understand the sources of terpenes, their extraction, and processing after extraction.
Consistency is also a crucial aspect. Cannabis-derived products, particularly those that are specific to a particular strain, must possess the same smell from batch-to-batch. If there is a lot of difference, it could be an indication of unsteady sourcing or rushed production. Both are warnings for companies who care about the quality of their products.
Terpene Craft: A Focused method
Some producers try and be all things at once. Others opt for specialization. Mass Terpenes, which focuses solely on terpenes rather than dealing with multiple categories of products, falls into the second category. This focus is more focused and allows for better control of aroma, processing and output.
Mass Terpenes puts an emphasis on letting the smell be the main focus. Instead of relying on hype, Massterpenes is determined to let the scent speak for it’s own voice.
Aroma: The Ultimate Quality Check
No lab report replaces the moment a bottle is opened. The variety and familiarity of cannabis-derived terpenes are immediately apparent, and they can’t be matched by artificial blends. The aroma is the main gauge of a successful blend.
The new standard for authenticity is authenticity. It’s the most important thing in the industry. The objective is the same regardless of regardless of whether a producer makes use of CO2 Terpenes or cold-cured varieties. If terpenes are handled with intention and respect and care, they not only enhance products they carry the cannabis culture forward in its most well-known shape.