As the cannabis market grows, expectations about flavor and authenticity are rising. As the cannabis market matures consumers are less satisfied with products that just “work”. Instead, they want authentic flavors and smells of genuine cannabis. Terpenes derived from cannabis are at the forefront of discussions on product development because of the increasing demand.
Why Terpenes Define Cannabis Identity
Terpenes is an aromatic compound responsible for the distinct aroma and taste of cannabis strains. They influence the impression of a particular product long before its effects are evident. When properly stored, Terpenes can communicate freshness, as well as quality and strain lineage. If they are handled poorly, even high-potency products can appear fake or flat.
Image credit: massterpenes.com
Cannabis flower terpenes can capture the natural aromatic fingerprint of the plant. This is in stark contrast to botanical terpenes, which are made from non-cannabis sources and attempt to imitate cannabis profiles. While botanical blends are less expensive, they don’t have the same depth that cannabis experts associate with it.
The Extraction Method Determines the Result
The method used to extract Terpenes plays a huge role on their final characteristics. Hydrocarbons are extracted from plant material that is either fresh or frozen, and this technique is able to capture the vivacious aromas of a live resin. These techniques preserve delicate compounds that are easily lost during drying or high-heat processing.
CO2 Terpenes have a distinct advantage. Carbon dioxide extraction allows for precise control and produces solid, clean terpene fractions. CO2 extractions could create a less intense smell than the live hydrocarbons, however they are still valued for purity and consistency, especially in formulations that value the balance of intensity over intensity.
There is no way to say that one method is “better.” Each has a different purpose and the informed producer chooses the best method based on their intended outcome rather than based on marketing trends.
The distinction between old and new material can be measured
After harvest the purity of cannabis-derived compounds is determined. Terpenes have a volatile nature which means they break down quickly when exposed to heat, oxygen, or time. The original scent is best preserved with freshly frozen material or flowers which have been properly preserved.
When degradation occurs, no extraction technique will be able to restore all of the lost. The industry of terpenes is concentrated on the source of raw materials as well as the handling of them. Aroma clarity and depth differ immediately between fresh material and compromised material.
What should you look for when buying Cannabis Terpenes
When evaluating Cannabis terpenes for sale, flashy descriptions and exaggerated claims are easy to ignore. Transparency is more important. Buyers must be aware of where the terpenes originate from, the method of extraction and the products they’re transformed into after extraction.
Consistency is also an important factor. The scent of cannabis-derived items should be uniform from batch to. This is particularly true when the cannabis strains differ. The fact that there are large differences is a sign that the company cares about the quality of its products.
Terpene Craft: A Focused Approach
Certain producers are all-rounders. Others choose specialization. Mass Terpenes fits into the second group, as it concentrates on terpenes only rather than spread attention over different types of products. The narrow focus allows for better control of the flavor, output, and processing.
Mass Terpenes’ small batch production and meticulous post-processing highlight the importance of letting the aromas speak for themselves. Instead of relying on hype quality, it is to be viewed through aromas and flavors that are unmistakably Cannabis.
Aroma: The Ultimate Quality Check
It is impossible to substitute the instant a container is opened. The complexity and familiarity of cannabis-derived terpenes are immediately apparent and cannot be replicated by synthetic blends. Aroma is the most reliable way to judge success.
As the industry grows, authenticity is becoming the real differentiator. 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 can do more that enhance the quality of products. They bring the cannabis culture forward in its most recognizable forms.