As the marijuana market matures and grows, so does consumer expectations. As the market for cannabis develops consumers are less satisfied with products simply that “work”. Instead, they want authentic flavors and scents of real cannabis. Cannabis extracts are being developed to satisfy the demand.

The Terpenes that Define Cannabis Identity

Terpenes is an aromatic substance that gives the distinctive aroma and taste of marijuana strains. They impact the perception of a product’s quality can be determined long before effects are felt. When properly stored, terpenes communicate freshness, strain lineage, and overall quality. If handled improperly even the most potent product can feel flat or artificial.

Image credit: massterpenes.com

Cannabis flower is the main source of real Cannabis terpenes, which captures the natural aroma of the plant. This is a distinct difference from botanical terpenes, which are made from non-cannabis sources, and attempt to imitate cannabis profiles. Although botanical blends are cheaper price, they don’t have the complexity that cannabis lovers expect.

The extraction method determines the final result

How terpenes have been extracted can have a significant impact on the end product. Hydrocarbon extraction is usually utilized to create the vibrant aromas of resin. These methods conserve fragile compounds which are easily lost when drying or heat processing.

CO2 Terpenes are also an option. CO2 extraction permits precise control and creates clean, stable terpene fractions. The aroma of the profile could be less pronounced than with live hydrocarbon extractions. But CO2 profiles can provide consistency and purity, particularly in formulations which value balance more than intensity.

Producers should select their method based not on trends, but rather on the result they want.

The difference between the old and new materials is measurable

The quality of Cannabis-derived terpenes begins at harvest. Terpenes, by their nature are flammable, which means they degrade quickly when exposed to oxygen, heat or over a period of time. The original scent is best preserved with fresh frozen flowers or other materials which have been properly preserved.

After degradation and extraction techniques fail, they cannot bring back the original amount. Because of this, skilled producers of terpenes are enthralled by sourcing and processing. The scent and the clarity of the product will tell you whether it is fresh or deteriorated.

What to look out for when buying Cannabis Terpenes

The exaggerated and flamboyant descriptions can be ignored when evaluating Cannabis Terpenes. Transparency is more important. Buyers must know where the terpenes come from, how they’re extracted and processed into after extraction.

Consistency plays a significant role. True cannabis-derived products should smell exactly the same from batch to batch particularly when they are strain-specific. The large variations could indicate insecure sources, or an overly fast production. Both of these are red flags when it comes to quality-focused brands.

Terpene Craft: a Focused Approach

Some producers attempt to be all things to all people. Others opt for specialization. Mass Terpenes, which focuses exclusively on terpenes instead of having a focus on different categories of products, falls into the second group. This narrow focus allows greater control over the aromas as well as the process and final product.

Mass Terpenes prioritizes small-batch manufacturing and post-processing, letting the aroma speak for itself. Instead of being a product that is hyped, the quality is meant to be felt through scent and flavor that are unmistakably cannabis-like.

Aroma: The Ultimate Quality Check

The lab report will never substitute the moment when a container is open. High-quality cannabis derived terpenes reveal themselves instantly, with a complexity and familiarity which artificial blends can’t compete with. Aroma is the most reliable way to judge success.

The authenticity of a product has become a major factor in differentiating the industry as it develops. Whatever the producer chooses to use CO2 terpenes that are refined using CO2 or live extracts of cannabis, the final aim is the same: preserve the original character of the plant. When terpenes used with intention and care, they are more than just a means to improve the quality of products. Instead, they aid in carrying cannabis’s cultivation forward.