As the cannabis market matures so do expectations for flavor and authenticity. Consumers are no longer looking for products that just “work”. They are looking for aromas from the plant that make them recognize the plant and its flavors that reflect the real cannabis. Cannabis Terpenes derived from cannabis are now the basis of all serious discussions about products.
Image credit: massterpenes.com
The reason Terpenes define Cannabis identity
Terpenes is the aromatic chemical responsible for the distinctive smell and taste of marijuana strains. They affect the perception of a product’s quality can be determined long before effects are felt. If properly stored, terpenes can signal the freshness of a product and also strain lineage. They also convey the overall quality. If handled badly even the most potent products may appear fake or flat.
Cannabis flower is the source of the real Cannabis Terpenes, which are the aroma of the plant. This is in stark contrast to botanical terpenes, which are made from non-cannabis sources, and attempt to mimic cannabis profiles. Although botanical blends are inexpensive, they do not provide the layered depth that experienced consumers associate with true cannabis.
The extraction method determines the final result
How terpenes are extracted has a huge impact on the final character. Hydrocarbon extraction from fresh or frozen plants is preferred to capture the vivid, resinous aromas. These techniques preserve delicate compounds that are easily lost in drying or high-heat processing.
At the same time, CO2 terpenes offer a different advantage. Carbon dioxide extracting allows for exact control and creates solid and clean Terpenes that are stable and clean. The aroma that is produced can be less pronounced than hydrocarbon extractions. However, CO2-derived profiles are more valuable for consistency and purity in formulations.
The two methods serve different purposes, and producers who are knowledgeable select the one that is most suitable for their requirements rather than relying on marketing trends.
The distinction between old and new material is measurable
At harvest, the quality of cannabis-derived compounds is determined. Terpenes by nature are unstable, meaning they will degrade rapidly when exposed to heat, oxygen or time. Freshly frozen materials or carefully preserved flower helps to preserve the original aroma profile.
After degradation has occurred and extraction techniques have failed, no method will be able to restore all of the lost. Because of this, skilled terpene-producers are obsessed with sourcing and processing. The smell and the clarity of the product will instantly tell you if it is fresh or deteriorated.
What to look for when buying Cannabis Terpenes
When evaluating Cannabis Terpenes, it’s easy to overlook the glitzy descriptions. Transparency is more important. Buyers must be aware of the method of extraction, where they come from and how they are processed.
Consistency is a key element. True cannabis-derived products should smell exactly the same from batch to batch particularly when they are strain-specific. The presence of large variations can indicate instability sources or production that is rushed, both red flags for brands focused on high-quality.
Terpene Craft: A Focused Method
Certain producers are multi-faceted. Others prefer to concentrate on one thing. Mass Terpenes fits into the second group, as it is focused on terpenes in particular instead of focusing attention on multiple product types. That narrow focus allows for more control over aroma, processing, and final output.
Mass Terpenes puts an emphasis on letting the aroma do all of the talking. Instead of relying upon marketing quality, it is to be viewed through aromas and tastes that are distinctively cannabis-based.
Aroma is the Ultimate Quality Check
There is no lab report that can replace the moment a bottle is opened. High-quality cannabis-derived terpenes announce themselves immediately, with sophistication and a familiarity that synthetic blends can’t match. Aroma is the best way to judge success.
The new standard for authenticity is authenticity. It’s the most important thing in the market. If a producer decides to use live-extracted profile, cold-cured varieties or refined CO2 terpenes, the goal stays the same: keep the original character of the plant. When terpenes used with intention and care, they are not just a means to improve the quality of the quality of products. Instead, they assist in bringing cannabis’ cultivation forward.