As the cannabis market matures, consumers’ expectations about authenticity and flavor are growing. The customer is no longer satisfied by items that “work”. They are seeking authentic experiences that reflect the plant, smells that make them feel familiar, and flavors that reflect actual cannabis. This growing demand has placed Cannabis derived terpenes in the forefront of serious discussions about product development.
What are the Terpenes that define Cannabis identity?
Terpenes are the compounds that are responsible for the distinct scent and flavor of marijuana strains. They impact how a particular product is perceived long before it is felt. When stored properly Terpenes are a way to signal the freshness of a product and also strain lineage. They also communicate overall quality. Even highly-potent products can be fake or flat if not properly handled.
Image credit: massterpenes.com
Cannabis flower terpenes capture the natural aromatic fingerprint of the plant. This is fundamentally unlike botanical terpenes that are extracted from other sources and try to mimic cannabis profiles. While botanical blends can be cost-effective but the flavor that people expect from real cannabis is not always present.
The extraction method determines the outcome
The way terpenes are extracted is vital to their final characteristics. The extraction of hydrocarbons from fresh or freshly frozen plant material is usually favored for capturing vivid, live-resin-like aromas. These techniques protect delicate compounds that can easily disappear in high-heat or drying processes.
CO2 terpenes also offer advantages. Carbon dioxide extraction is precise and produces solid, clean terpene fractions. The aroma produced may be less strong than hydrocarbon extractions. However, CO2 derived profiles have a higher value for consistency and purity formulations.
Both strategies are equally effective, but each has a specific reason for using it. Producers who are well-informed make their choice based on the intended outcome rather than on market trends.
Fresh Material is Measureable
The quality of Cannabis-derived terpenes begins at harvest. Terpenes break down quickly when exposed to oxygen, heat or time. The aroma of the original is best preserved using fresh frozen flowers or other materials which are properly preserved.
When degradation has occurred the extraction method cannot fully restore what was lost. It is for this reason that the most experienced terpene makers are extremely particular about their sources and handling. Fresh and compromised material are immediately discernible by their clarity of aroma and the intensity.
What should you look to look out for when purchasing Cannabis Terpenes
You can easily ignore the exaggerated descriptions or flashy claims when evaluating Cannabis products on sale. What matters more is transparency. Buyers should be aware of where the terpenes originate from, how they’re extracted and processed into after extraction.
Consistency is another key element. The smell of cannabis-derived products must be constant from batch to batch. This is especially true when the cannabis strains differ. Wide variations are usually an indicator for companies who are concerned about the quality of their products.
Terpene Craft: A Focused Approach
Some producers attempt to be everything at once. Others choose specialization. Mass Terpenes, which focuses solely on terpenes rather than being concerned with various product categories, is in the second group. This narrow focus gives more control over aroma processing, and the final product.
By prioritizing small-batch production and meticulous processing, Mass Terpenes emphasizes letting the flavor be the main focus. The flavor should be experienced in the moment, not through media hype.
Aroma: The Ultimate Quality Check
Lab reports are not a substitute for the first time a cannabis container is opened. High-quality cannabis-derived terpenes announce themselves immediately, with sophistication and a familiarity that synthetic blends are unable to match. Aroma is the only real test of the success.
Genuineness has been a crucial aspect in separating the market as it continues to evolve. Whether a producer chooses live-extracted profile, cold-cured varieties, or refined CO2 terpenes, the goal stays the same: preserve the original character of the plant. When cannabis and terpenes are treated with care and respect, they produce more to improve the quality of the quality of products. They bring the cannabis culture forward in the most well-known forms.
