As the cannabis market matures, consumer expectations regarding authenticity and flavor are on the rise. Customers are no longer content with products that only “work.” They are looking for experiences that feel true to the plant aromas that make them feel recognized and taste that are true to cannabis, not approximations. This growing demand has placed Cannabis derived terpenes at the center of serious product development conversations.
Image credit: massterpenes.com
What are the Terpenes that define Cannabis identity?
Terpenes are aromatic compounds responsible for the distinct smell and flavor of marijuana strains. They impact how a particular product is perceived before the effects can be experienced. When properly stored Terpenes signal the freshness of the product, its strain lineage, as well as overall quality. Even products with high potency can be fake or flat if not properly handled.
Real Cannabis Terpenes are extracted directly from cannabis flower, capturing the aroma of the plant’s. This is distinct from botanical blends of terpenes, that attempt to replicate cannabis’s characteristics by using substances made from plants other than cannabis. While botanical blends have a lower cost, they lack the complexity that cannabis lovers are looking for.
The extraction method determines the outcome
The way terpenes are extracted is vital to their final characteristics. Hydrocarbon extraction of fresh or frozen plants is preferred for capturing the vivid, resinous aromas. These techniques preserve fragile compounds which are easily lost during drying or heat processing.
CO2 terpenes can also provide advantages. Carbon dioxide terpene extraction offers exact control and clean and stable terpene fragments. The aroma that results may be less intense compared to hydrocarbon extractions. However, CO2 derived profiles have a higher value for consistency and purity formulations.
Neither method is inherently “better.” Each serves an objective that is different and producers who are well-informed make their choice based on their desired outcome rather than marketing trends.
Fresh Material Can Make an observable difference
The high-quality cannabis-derived terpenes start when the plants are harvested. Terpenes have a volatile nature that is, they degrade rapidly when exposed to heat, oxygen or prolonged time. Freshly frozen materials or carefully preserved flowers helps keep the aroma in its original profile.
When degradation begins it is impossible to recover fully what was lost. The industry of terpenes is focused on the sourcing of raw materials and their handling. The difference in the clarity of aroma as well as depth and complexity of fresh and compromised material is evident immediately.
What to look out for when buying Cannabis Terpenes
The exaggerated and flamboyant descriptions can be ignored when looking at Cannabis Terpenes. Transparency is the most important thing. Buyers should know how the terpenes were extracted, processed and reprocessed.
Consistency also plays an important part. The smell of cannabis-derived products must be uniform from batch to. This is particularly important when the strains are different. The fact that there are large differences can be a sign that the company is concerned about quality.
Terpene Craft: a Focused Methodology
Some choose to focus. Others choose specialization. Mass Terpenes falls into the second category, focusing exclusively on the extraction of terpenes instead of spreading attention across multiple different types of products. This narrow focus gives greater control over aroma, processing, and the final product.
Mass Terpenes’ small batch production and meticulous post-processing highlight the importance of letting the aromas be the main focus. Instead of relying on marketing quality, it must be felt through the smells and flavors that are distinct Cannabis-like.
Aroma as A Quality Check
It’s impossible to change after a container is opened. The variety and familiarity of cannabis-derived terpenes are readily apparent, and they can’t be duplicated by artificial blends. Aroma remains the most honest indicator of success.
Genuineness has been a crucial element in distinguishing the industry as it develops. No matter whether a product is made with CO2 terpenes which have been refined or cold-cured, the ultimate aim is to keep the plant’s original character. If terpenes are used with care and vigilance, they’re more than just a means to improve the quality of products. Instead, they aid in carrying cannabis’s culture forward.