As the cannabis market matures, expectations around flavor and authenticity continue to rise. Consumers aren’t satisfied with products that “work” any longer. They want scents and flavors that represent the cannabis. Terpenes that are derived from cannabis are currently at the forefront of product development discussions due to this growing demand.
Image credit: massterpenes.com
What are Terpenes and How Do They Define Cannabis Identity
Terpenes are the compounds that are responsible for the distinct scent and taste of cannabis strains. They impact how a particular product is perceived prior to any effects can be felt. Terpenes, when preserved correctly, communicate the freshness of the product, its strain ancestry, and overall product quality. Even a product that is extremely potent can become artificial or flat if it is handled incorrectly.
Cannabis Terpenes are extracted directly from the flower of cannabis plants. They they capture the plant’s unique aroma. This is a distinct distinction from the botanical blends of terpenes which attempt to imitate cannabis profiles by using compounds that are not derived from cannabis plants. Although botanical blends are cheaper price, they don’t have the sophistication that cannabis enthusiasts expect.
The Extraction Method is the Key to the Final Results
The way terpenes are extracted is vital to their final character. Hydrocarbon extraction is typically used to capture vivid, resin-like scents. These techniques preserve fragile substances that are easily destroyed when drying or heat processing.
At the same time, CO2 terpenes offer a different advantage. Carbon dioxide extraction creates solid, clean fractions of terpenes and allows the precise control. The resultant aroma could be less pronounced than extracting live hydrocarbons, however CO2 derived profiles are valued for their consistency and purity particularly when it comes to formulations that require balance more than intensity.
It’s impossible to choose between the two. Each has a purpose that is different, and producers should decide based on their desired outcome, not the latest trends in marketing.
Fresh Material Can Make a measurable Difference
Terpenes from high-quality cannabis are harvested with the harvest. Terpenes are volatile, and can rapidly degrade when they come into contact with oxygen, temperatures or time elements. Fresh frozen material, or flower that has been carefully preserved can help lock in the original scent profile.
After degradation and the process is not able to completely recover the amount of loss. The most experienced terpene producers are focused on sourcing and handling constantly. The difference in aroma clarity, depth and complexity between fresh and compromised materials is evident immediately.
What to look out for when purchasing Cannabis Terpenes
It’s easy to overlook the glitzy statements and descriptions when it comes to evaluating Cannabis Terpenes. Transparency however is more important. Buyers must understand the method of extraction, where they come from and how they will be processed.
Consistency plays a significant role. It is crucial that cannabis-derived goods smell the same, regardless of batch size. Large variations are often an indicator for companies who are concerned about quality.
Terpene Craft: A Focused method
Some producers try and be all things to all people. Some choose to specialize. Mass Terpenes belongs to the second type, and focuses only on terpenes instead of focusing attention across multiple products kinds. This narrow focus gives greater control over aroma, processing, and output.
Mass Terpenes prioritizes small-batch manufacturing and post-processing to let the scent speak for itself. Instead of relying heavily on hype, Mass Terpenes is determined to let the scent speak for itself.
Aroma as a Quality Check
No lab report replaces the moment a container is opened. The highest-quality cannabis derived terpenes show their true nature immediately, with a complexity and familiarity which synthetic blends cannot beat. Aroma is the most reliable measure of success.
As the industry continues to evolve authenticity is the real differentiator. Whatever the product is created using CO2 terpenes which have been refined or cold-cured, the ultimate goal is to maintain the original characteristics of the plant. When terpenes are treated with respect and care, they can do much more than just enhance the quality of the quality of the product. They can also assist in bringing cannabis culture in its most recognizable format.
