As the cannabis industry matures, consumers’ expectations about flavor and authenticity are increasing. The customers aren’t content with products which “work” no longer. They want the aromas and tastes that truly are a reflection of the cannabis. Cannabis Terpenes that are derived from cannabis now make up the foundation of any serious discussions about products.
Image credit: massterpenes.com
Terpenes are among the most important components of cannabis identity
Terpenes provide the unique taste and aroma of marijuana strains. They can affect perceptions of a product’s cannabis aroma before effects even occur. When preserved properly Terpenes can communicate freshness and also strain lineage and overall quality. Even high-potency products that are mishandled can cause them to feel artificial.
Real Cannabis terpenes are sourced directly from cannabis flower, capturing the plant’s natural aromatic fingerprint. This is a distinct distinction from botanical terpene blends that attempt to replicate cannabis’s characteristics using compounds derived from non-cannabis plants. The botanical blends are economical, but they don’t offer the same depth as true cannabis.
The Extraction Method Defines the Result
The way terpenes are extracted is a significant factor in the final character. Hydrocarbons are extracted from plant materials that are either fresh or frozen, and this method captures the vibrant scents of live resin. These methods preserve fragile compounds that are easily lost in drying or high-heat processing.
At the same time CO2 terpenes provide an additional benefit. Carbon dioxide extraction is precise and results in pure, stable terpene fragments. While the scent isn’t as intense than that of hydrocarbons that are living, CO2 profiles are highly valued for their purity and consistency. This is especially true in formulations when balance is more important than intensity.
Both methods are equally effective, but each serves a distinct purpose. Informed producers make their decision based on the desired result rather than marketing trends.
The distinction between the old and new materials can be measured
After harvest the purity of cannabis-derived compounds begins to be determined. Terpenes can be volatile and degrade when exposed oxygen, heat or over time. The original aroma is best preserved using fresh frozen materials or flowers that have been properly preserved.
Once degradation occurs, no extraction technique can fully restore the original amount. Experienced terpene manufacturers are focused on sourcing and handling constantly. The smell and clarity of the substance will immediately tell you whether it is fresh or compromised.
What should you look for when purchasing Cannabis Terpenes
Exaggerated descriptions and flashy words are easy to overlook when evaluating Cannabis terpenes. Transparency is the most important thing. Buyers should understand where the terpenes came from the source, how they were extracted, and how they’re processed following extraction.
Consistency plays a key role. True cannabis-derived products should smell the same from batch to particularly when they’re a specific strain. The large variations could indicate insecure sources, or an overly fast production. These are both indications of a problem in the case of high-quality brands.
Terpene Craft: a Focused Approach
Some choose to specialize. Certain producers opt to focus on a specific area. Mass Terpenes is in the second class. It is focused solely on the extraction of terpenes rather than dividing attention between different types of products. The focus on terpenes provides greater control of the end product, scent and processing.
By focusing on small-batch production as well as meticulous post-processing, Mass Terpenes emphasizes letting the aroma speak for itself. Instead of relying on hype, the quality is meant to be experienced directly by the smell and taste that feel unmistakably cannabis.
Aroma: The Ultimate Quality Check
It’s impossible to replace when a bottle is opened. High-quality cannabis-derived terpenes announce themselves immediately, displaying complexity and familiarity that artificial blends are unable to match. Aroma is the most reliable measure of the success.
Authenticity has become a key aspect in separating the industry as it develops. Whatever the product is produced using CO2 terpenes that are refined or cold-cured, the ultimate objective is to preserve the original characteristics of the plant. When terpenes and cannabis are treated with care and respect, they produce more that enhance the quality of products. They are the carriers of the culture of cannabis into the future in the most well-known form.