As the cannabis market grows, expectations of consumers regarding authenticity and flavor are increasing. The consumer is no longer satisfied by products that “work”. They want experiences that are true to the plant, smells that are memorable and taste that reflects the real cannabis. This growing demand has placed Cannabis derived terpenes at the center of serious product development conversations.
Image credit: massterpenes.com
What are Terpenes and How Do They Define Cannabis Identity
Terpenes provide the unique taste and aroma of cannabis strains. They affect how a product will be perceived before any effects can be felt. When preserved properly Terpenes convey the freshness of the product, its strain lineage, as well as overall quality. Even products with high potency that are treated improperly may make them appear fake.
The authentic Cannabis terpenes come directly from the cannabis flower and capture the aroma of the flower. This is an entirely different approach from botanical terpene mixtures that mimic cannabis profiles by combining compounds from other plants than cannabis. While botanical blends can be cost-effective however, the flavor depth that consumers are used to from cannabis is not always present.
The extraction method determines the final result
The extraction method of terpenes has a significant impact on their final character. Hydrocarbons extracted from fresh or freshly-frozen plant materials are typically utilized to produce vibrant, resinous-like scents. These techniques preserve fragile compounds which are easily lost when drying or heat processing.
CO2 terpenes, however, have a different advantage. Carbon dioxide extraction permits precise control, and also produces pure and stable Terpenes that are stable and clean. The resulting aroma may be more solitary than extracting live hydrocarbons, however CO2-derived profiles are admired for consistency and purity especially when it comes to formulations that require balance more than intensity.
Both methods serve distinct goals, and producers who are knowledgeable pick the method which best meets their needs rather than relying solely on marketing trends.
Fresh Material Makes a Measurable difference
At harvest the purity of cannabis-derived compounds is determined. Terpenes can be volatile and quickly degrade if brought into contact with oxygen, heat, time, or other factors. Utilizing fresh frozen material and carefully preserved flowers helps to lock in the original aromatic profile.
Once degradation occurs and extraction techniques fail, they cannot fully restore the amount of terpenes lost. The terpene industry is focused on the source of raw materials and the handling of them. Aroma clarity and depth are instantly different between fresh material and compromised material.
What to look out for when buying Cannabis Terpenes
You can easily ignore flashy descriptions or exaggerated claims when looking at Cannabis products for sale. Transparency is the most important thing. Buyers must know how terpenes were extracted, processed and reprocessed.
Consistency is also a major factor. True cannabis-derived products should smell exactly the identical from batch to batch particularly if they’re a specific strain. The fact that there are large differences indicates that the brand cares about the quality of its products.
Terpene Craft: A Focused Method
Some producers attempt to be everything all at once. Some prefer specialization. Mass Terpenes fits into the second group, as it is focused on terpenes in particular instead of spreading attention across different types of products. This focus is narrow and allows for better control of the scent, final output, and processing.
Mass Terpenes places a high importance on small batch production and careful post-processing. This enables the flavor to speak for the product. The quality should be experienced directly, not through hype.
Aroma as A Quality Check
The moment you open an bottle, no lab report can replace it. The variety and familiarity of cannabis-derived terpenes are immediately apparent, and they can’t be duplicated by artificial blends. The aroma is the best indicator of success.
Authenticity has become a key aspect in separating the market as it continues to evolve. This is true whether producers choose live-extracted profiles or CO2 refined Terpenes. Terpenes, when treated with care and a sense of purpose, do more than improve the quality of products. They also help carry the cannabis culture forward.