As the market for cannabis matures, and expectations increase for flavor and authenticity. Consumers are no longer satisfied by items which “work”. They are looking for authentic experiences that reflect the plant, smells that are memorable and tastes that reflect the actual cannabis. Cannabis Terpenes derived from cannabis are now the basis of all serious product debates.
Image credit: massterpenes.com
Why Terpenes define Cannabis identity
Terpenes are the aromatic compounds responsible for the distinct scent and taste of cannabis strains. They affect how a product is perceived before effects are felt. If properly preserved, terpenes communicate the freshness of the product, its strain lineage, as well as overall quality. Even products with high potency can be fake or flat if they are not handled properly.
Cannabis flower is the main source of the real Cannabis terpenes, which captures the aroma of the plant. It’s a completely different product from the botanical terpenes blends that attempt to mimic the cannabis flavor using substances taken from non-cannabis plants. Although botanical blends are economical however, the flavor depth that consumers expect from true cannabis isn’t always available.
The extraction method affects the result
Terpenes’ final flavor is largely determined by how they are extracted. Hydrocarbons are extracted from plant material that is either frozen or fresh, and this process can capture the vibrant flavors of live resin. These techniques protect delicate compounds, which can easily lose their luster in high-heat drying processes.
At the same time, CO2 terpenes offer a different advantage. Carbon dioxide extraction creates solid, clean parts of terpenes, and allows to control them with precision. The aroma of the profile might be less intense when compared to live hydrocarbon extractions. But CO2 profiles offer quality and consistency, particularly in formulations which value balance over intensity.
Producers must choose their method not based on the latest trends, but rather on what they want.
Fresh Material Makes a Measurable Impact
The quality of Terpenes derived from cannabis begins with the harvest. Terpenes are volatile, and can quickly degrade if they come in contact with oxygen, temperatures, time, or other factors. Using fresh frozen material or carefully preserved flowers helps lock in the original aromatic profile.
When degradation occurs There is no method of extraction that can bring back what is lost. For this reason, experienced producers of terpenes are obsessed with finding and processing. The clarity and intensity of the aroma are immediately different between the fresh and the compromised material.
What to look out for when purchasing Cannabis Terpenes
It’s easy to ignore flashy claims and descriptions when looking at Cannabis Terpenes. Transparency however is more important. Buyers must know where terpenes came from the source, how they were extracted and how they are transformed following extraction.
Consistency also plays an important role. The scent of cannabis-derived items must be uniform from batch to. This is particularly important when the strains are different. Wide variations are usually an indication of brands that care about the quality of their products.
Terpene Craft: A Focused Approach
Some producers try to do everything all at once. Others choose to specialize. Mass Terpenes is in the second class. It concentrates solely on the extraction of terpenes instead of dividing attention among various types of products. This narrow focus gives greater control over the aromas, processing, and the final product.
Mass Terpenes’ small batch production and meticulous post-processing emphasizes the importance of letting the aromas speak for themselves. Instead of relying on the hype the quality of the product is experienced directly by scent and taste that are unmistakably marijuana.
Aroma as the Ultimate Quality Check
The lab report will never substitute the moment when the container is opened. Terpenes that are high-quality and derived from cannabis announce themselves instantly, with a the complexity and familiarity that even artificial blends struggle to compete with. The aroma is the main measure of success.
As the cannabis industry evolves and becomes more authentic, it is the primary differentiation. No matter whether a product is created using CO2 terpenes which have been refined or cold-cured, the ultimate aim is to keep the original characteristics of the plant. When terpenes have been handled with care and respect and care, they are able to do more than simply enhance the quality of the product. They can also help to keep the cannabis culture alive in its most recognizable format.