As the marijuana market matures and grows as do expectations of consumers. Consumers aren’t satisfied with products that “work” no longer. They want to experience aromas and flavors that truly are a reflection of the cannabis. Cannabis Terpenes derived from cannabis are now the basis of all serious product discussions.
Image credit: massterpenes.com
The Terpenes that Define Cannabis Identity
Terpenes are the compounds that are responsible for the distinct scent and flavor of marijuana strains. They influence the perception of a product’s quality is long before the effects are actually felt. When preserved correctly Terpenes are a source of freshness, strain heritage and also quality. Even products with high potency can be fake or flat if not properly handled.
Cannabis flower is the source of the real Cannabis Terpenes, which are the aroma of the plant. It’s a distinct product than botanical terpenes mixes that try to recreate the cannabis profile using compounds extracted non-cannabis plant. Blends of botanicals can be more efficient in terms of cost, but they do not have the same depth as true cannabis.
The extraction process determines the result
The final character of terpenes is mostly determined by the way they are extracted. Hydrocarbon extraction is usually utilized to create vivid, resin-like scents. These methods conserve fragile compounds that can be easily lost in heat or drying.
At the same time, CO2 terpenes offer a different advantage. Carbon dioxide extraction produces clean, stable fractions of terpenes and allows to control them with precision. The flavor of the profile could be less pronounced as compared to hydrocarbon extractions that are live. However, CO2 profiles provide the sameness and purity, especially when it comes to formulations that value balance over intensity.
Both methods serve distinct goals, and producers who are educated pick the method which best meets their needs rather than relying on marketing trends.
Fresh Material makes a noticeable difference
When the harvest is completed the quality of cannabis-derived compounds starts to be established. Terpenes degrade quickly if exposed to heat, oxygen or time. By using fresh, frozen flower or other material that has been properly preserved, you will be able to retain the aroma of your original.
Once degradation has taken place the extraction method won’t be able to recover all that was lost. This is the reason experienced terpene producers focus obsessively on the sourcing process and handling. Aroma clarity and depth are immediately different between the fresh and the compromised material.
What to look out for when buying Cannabis Terpenes
Exaggerated descriptions and flashy words can be ignored when evaluating Cannabis terpenes. Transparency matters more. Buyers should know how the terpenes were extracted, processed and reprocessed.
Consistency is also an important factor. True cannabis-derived products should smell the same from batch to batch particularly if they’re a specific strain. If there are significant differences, it could be an indication of unstable sourcing and rushed production. Both are red flags to brands that are concerned about the quality of their products.
Terpene Craft: a Focused Methodology
Some choose to focus. Some producers decide to concentrate on one thing. Mass Terpenes falls into the second category, focusing exclusively on the extraction of terpenes instead of expanding their focus to other different types of products. This focus is narrow and allows for greater control over the scent, final output, as well as processing.
Mass Terpenes places a high emphasis on small-scale production, and a careful post-processing. This enables the flavor to speak for itself. Instead of being a product that is hyped The quality is designed to be experienced directly by tasting and smelling that feel unmistakably cannabis.
Aroma as the Ultimate Quality Check
A lab report isn’t an equivalent to the first time a container of cannabis is opened. Terpenes that are high-quality and derived from cannabis announce themselves immediately, displaying complexity and familiarity that artificial blends can’t match. Aroma is the only real measurement of quality.
As the cannabis industry expands, authenticity has emerged as the key distinctive feature. Whether a producer chooses live-extracted profile, cold-cured varieties or refined CO2 terpenes, the goal stays the same: keep the plant’s natural character. When terpenes have been treated with respect and care, they can do much more than simply enhance the quality of the product. They also can help to keep the cannabis culture alive in its most well-known format.