As the cannabis market matures so do expectations for flavor and authenticity. Consumers aren’t satisfied with products which “work” any longer. They want to experience aromas and flavors that truly represent the cannabis. Cannabis Terpenes derived from cannabis are now a key component of product development due to the rising demand.
Image credit: massterpenes.com
Why Terpenes Define Cannabis Identity
Terpenes are aromatic compounds responsible for the distinct smell and taste of cannabis strains. They influence how a product is perceived long before the effects can be experienced. If they are properly preserved, terpenes convey freshness, strain heritage and also quality. If they are handled badly, even a high-potency product may be a bit spongy or synthetic.
Real Cannabis terpenes are sourced directly from cannabis flower, capturing the plant’s natural aromatic fingerprint. This is distinct from botanical blends of terpenes, which try to mimic cannabis profiles by using compounds made from plants other than cannabis. While botanical blends are cheaper, they do not have the same depth that cannabis experts associate with it.
The extraction process determines the result
The method of extraction of terpenes is essential to their final properties. The extraction of hydrocarbons from fresh or freshly frozen plants is preferred for capturing the vivid, resinous aromas. These techniques preserve compounds that can easily be destroyed by high-temperature processing or drying.
CO2 terpenes are also advantages. Carbon dioxide terpene extraction offers exact control and safe and stable terpene fragments. The resultant aroma could be more solitary than extracting live hydrocarbons, however CO2 derived profiles are valued for consistency and purity especially in formulations where balance is important more than the intensity.
Both strategies are equally effective, but each has a specific purpose. A knowledgeable producer makes their decisions based on desired result rather than marketing trends.
Fresh Material Can Make a measurable difference
The quality of Terpenes derived from cannabis begins when they are harvested. Terpenes, by their nature, are unstable, meaning they degrade quickly when exposed to oxygen, heat or time. Freshly frozen material or flowers that have been carefully preserved can help lock in the original aroma profile.
After degradation the extraction method cannot fully restore the amount of terpenes lost. This is why it is that experienced terpene makers are obsessive about sourcing and handling. The difference in the clarity of aroma in depth, complexity and intensity between fresh and compromised materials is evident immediately.
What should you look for when purchasing cannabis Terpenes
Exaggerated descriptions and flashy words are easy to ignore when evaluating Cannabis Terpenes. Transparency is of greater importance. Buyers must know how Terpenes were extracted and processed.
Consistency, too, is an important aspect. True cannabis-derived products should smell the same from batch to particularly if they are strain-specific. The large variations could indicate insecure sources, or an overly fast production. These are both warning signs in the case of quality-oriented brands.
Terpene Craft: A Focused Method
Some producers try to be all things at once. Some producers decide to concentrate on one thing. Mass Terpenes belongs to the second category, and concentrates only on terpenes instead of focusing attention across multiple products types. This narrow focus allows more control of aromas, processing, and the final product.
Mass Terpenes’ small batch production and meticulous post-processing emphasizes the importance of letting the aromas be the main focus. The flavor should be experienced immediately, not via hype.
Aroma as a Quality Check
A lab report is not an equivalent to the first time a container of cannabis is opened. Terpenes that are high-quality and derived from cannabis reveal their true nature immediately, with a complexity and familiarity which synthetic blends cannot compete with. Aroma is the most reliable indicator of success.
Genuineness is the new distinguishing factor in the industry. This same principle applies to producers who choose live extracted profiles or CO2 refined terpenes. When terpenes are handled with care and consideration They do more than make products better, they also bring the cannabis culture forward in its most well-known form.