As the cannabis market grows, expectations about authenticity and taste increase. Customers no longer seek out products that only “work”. They are looking for aromas from the plant that can make them recognize the plant and its flavors that reflect the real cannabis. This growing demand has placed Cannabis derived terpenes at the center of serious product development conversations.
Image credit: massterpenes.com
Why Terpenes Define Cannabis Identity
Terpenes is an aromatic compound responsible for the distinct taste and scent of cannabis strains. They can influence the perception of a product long before the effects can be felt. When properly stored, terpenes have the ability to convey freshness, as well as quality and strain lineage. Even highly-potent products can be artificial or flat if they are not handled properly.
Real Cannabis Terpenes come directly from the cannabis flower, and capture the aroma of the plant’s. This is a distinct difference from botanical terpenes which are derived from other sources and try to imitate cannabis profiles. Botanical blends may be more cost-effective but they don’t have the same level of substance as genuine cannabis.
The extraction method affects the result
The method of extraction of terpenes is essential to their final characteristics. Hydrocarbon extraction of fresh or fresh-frozen plants is preferred for capturing vivid, resinous aromas. These methods are used to protect the delicate compounds that would otherwise be destroyed due to drying or high temperature processing.
However CO2 terpenes provide another benefit. Carbon dioxide extraction produces pure, stable fractions of terpenes and allows to control them with precision. The aroma produced may be less strong than hydrocarbon-based extractions. However, CO2 extracted profiles have a higher value for purity and consistency in formulations.
The two methods serve different objectives, and those who are educated select the one that best suits their needs rather than relying on marketing trends.
Fresh Material Can Make a Measureable Difference
Terpenes from high-quality cannabis are harvested when they are harvested. Terpenes are degraded quickly when exposed to oxygen, heat or even time. Use of fresh frozen material and carefully preserved flowers helps to lock in the original aroma profiles.
After degradation and the process is not able to fully recover the amount of loss. This is why experienced producers of terpenes are enthralled by sourcing and processing. Fresh and damaged materials are immediately identifiable by their aroma clarity and intensity.
What should you look for when purchasing Cannabis Terpenes
It is easy to disregard exaggerated claims and descriptions when looking at Cannabis Terpenes. Transparency is the most important thing. Buyers must understand the method of extraction, where they come from and how they are processed.
Consistency plays a key role. The cannabis-derived products, specifically the strain-specific ones, should have the same scent from batch to batch. Wide variations are often a sign of unstable sourcing or rushed production and are a red flag for companies focused on quality.
Terpene Craft: A Focused Method
Some choose to focus. Others opt for specialization. Mass Terpenes is in the second category. It is focused solely on the extraction of terpenes, rather than dispersing attention between multiple product types. This focus is narrow and allows for better control of the aroma, final output, as well as processing.
Mass Terpenes puts an emphasis on letting the smell take the lead. Instead of solely relying on hype the quality of the product is felt directly through scent and taste that are unmistakably marijuana.
Aroma: The Ultimate Quality Check
The lab report will never substitute the moment when a container is open. High-quality cannabis-derived terpenes announce themselves instantly, with a complexity and familiarity that artificial blends struggle to compete with. Aroma is the best method of evaluating the success.
The authenticity of a product has become a major element in distinguishing the business as it develops. No matter if a producer opts for live-extracted profiles, cold-cured varieties, or refined CO2 terpenes, the goal stays the same: keep the plant’s natural character. Terpenes, when handled with respect and care are more than just improving products. They also bring the cannabis tradition forward.