As the cannabis industry develops consumer expectations regarding authenticity and taste are rising. Consumers no longer want products that simply “work”. They are looking for flavors from the plant that make them recognize it and flavors which reflect real cannabis. Terpenes that are derived from cannabis are currently in the forefront of product development discussions due to the increasing demand.
Image credit: massterpenes.com
The Terpenes that Define Cannabis Identity
Terpenes, which are the aromatic compounds that give cannabis its distinctive smell and taste are responsible for this. They can affect perceptions of a product’s cannabis aroma before any effects take place. When properly stored Terpenes convey freshness and strain lineage. They also communicate the overall quality. Even products with high potency can be artificial or spongy if not properly handled.
The real Cannabis Terpenes originate from the flower of cannabis and capture its aroma. This is fundamentally a different method from the botanical terpene blends, which mimic cannabis profiles by combining compounds from other plants than cannabis. While botanical blends have a cheaper price, they don’t have the complexity that cannabis lovers would like to see.
The Extraction Method determines the End-Result
The method of extraction used to extract Terpenes can have a major impact on their final characteristics. Hydrocarbon extraction is typically utilized to create vibrant, resin-like aromas. These techniques are employed to keep the delicate substances that would otherwise be destroyed through drying or high-temperature processing.
At the same time, CO2 terpenes offer a different advantage. CO2 terpene extraction gives exact control and clean and stable terpene fragments. CO2 extractions may create a less intense scent than hydrocarbons that are live, but are still valued for quality and consistency, particularly when formulas emphasize balance over intensity.
It’s impossible to pick between these two. Each serves a different purpose and the producers must choose based on their desired outcome, not the latest trends in marketing.
Fresh Material makes a measurable difference
The quality of the cannabis-derived terpenes begin when they are harvested. Terpenes are degraded quickly when exposed to heat, oxygen or time. The use of fresh frozen materials and carefully preserved flowers helps to keep the original aroma profiles.
When degradation has occurred and extraction techniques fail, they cannot fully restore what was lost. The terpene industry is very focused on the sourcing of raw materials and their handling. Fresh and damaged materials are instantly distinguishable through their scent clarity and the intensity.
What should you look for when buying Cannabis Terpenes
Exaggerated descriptions and flashy words can be ignored when it comes to evaluating Cannabis terpenes. Transparency, however, is more important. Buyers should know where the terpenes come from, the method of extraction and processed into following extraction.
Consistency is another important element. It is essential that cannabis-derived items smell the same, regardless of size. The presence of large variations indicates that the brand cares about the quality of its products.
Terpene Craft: A Focused Approach
Some producers try to do everything at once. Some choose to specialize. Mass Terpenes is in the second class. It focuses exclusively on terpenes extraction, rather than dispersing attention between various types of products. This focus is narrow and allows for more control over the aroma, final output, as well as processing.
Mass Terpenes places a high priority on small batch production, as well as a meticulous post-processing. This allows the aroma to speak for the product. Instead of being a product that is hyped the product’s quality is intended to be felt through scent and flavor that are unmistakably cannabis-like.
Aroma as the Ultimate Quality Check
A lab report is not an alternative to the first time a container of cannabis is opened. High-quality cannabis-derived terpenes announce themselves instantly, with a complexity and familiarity that artificial blends are unable to compete with. Aroma remains the most honest indicator of success.
As the industry grows, authenticity is becoming the real differentiator. The aim is the same regardless of whether a producer makes use of CO2 terpenes or cold-cured varieties. When terpenes and cannabis are treated with intention and respect they do more that enhance the quality of products. They bring the cannabis culture forward in its most recognizable form.