As the market for cannabis matures, as do expectations for taste and authenticity. As the market for cannabis matures consumers are less satisfied with products that simply “work”. Instead they are looking for authentic tastes and aromas of real cannabis. Cannabis Terpenes derived from cannabis have become a major area of research and development due to the rising demand.
Image credit: massterpenes.com
What are Terpenes and How Do They Define Cannabis Identity
Terpenes is the aromatic compound responsible for the distinct smell and taste of cannabis strains. They impact the way a product’s perceived quality before any effects are experienced. When preserved properly Terpenes convey freshness, strain lineage and overall quality. Even the most potent of products could be artificial or flat if they are not properly handled.
Real Cannabis terpenes are sourced directly from cannabis flower, capturing the plant’s natural aromatic fingerprint. This is distinct from botanical terpene blends that attempt to replicate cannabis profiles using compounds extracted from non-cannabis cannabis plants. While botanical blends come at a lower cost, they lack the complexity that cannabis lovers expect.
The extraction process determines the result
Terpenes’ final flavor is mostly determined by the way they’re extracted. Hydrocarbons are extracted from plant matter that is either fresh or frozen, and this technique can capture the vibrant scents of live resin. These methods protect substances that are easily destroyed by high-temperature processing or drying.
At the same time, CO2 terpenes offer another benefit. CO2 terpene extraction gives exact control and solid and clean terpene fragments. The flavor of the profile might be less intense as compared to hydrocarbon extractions that are live. But CO2 profiles can provide consistency and purity, particularly when formulas are based on balance over intensity.
Both strategies work equally well, however each method has its own reason for using it. Informed producers make their decisions based on intended outcome rather than on market trends.
Fresh Material can make a Measureable Difference
The quality cannabis-derived terpenes begin at harvest. Terpenes are volatile by nature, meaning they degrade quickly when exposed to oxygen, heat, or time. Utilizing fresh frozen material and carefully preserved flowers helps to preserve the original aromatic profile.
Once degradation occurs, no extraction technique can completely restore the original amount. The industry of terpenes is concentrated on the source of raw materials and the handling of them. The distinction between the fresh and the compromised material is evident in the aroma clarity and depth.
What should you look for when purchasing Cannabis Terpenes
It’s easy to ignore exaggerated claims and descriptions when evaluating Cannabis Terpenes. Transparency is what matters most. Buyers need to know how Terpenes were extracted and processed.
Consistency plays an important role. It is important that the smell of cannabis-derived products is exactly the same, regardless of the size of the batch. Large variations often indicate unstable sourcing or rushed production and are a red flag for companies focused on quality.
Terpene Craft: A Focused Approach
Some producers try to do all things at once. Some producers choose to specialize. Mass Terpenes, which focuses solely on terpenes rather than having a focus on different product categories, falls under the second group. This focus on terpene extraction allows for more control over aroma processing, and the final product.
With a focus on small-batch production and meticulous processing, Mass Terpenes emphasizes letting the scent speak for itself. Instead of relying solely on the hype, quality is meant be experienced directly by scent and taste that are distinctively marijuana.
Aroma as a Quality Check
When you open a bottle, no lab report can replace it. High-quality cannabis-derived terpenes are instantly recognizable, displaying the level of sophistication and familiarity that is unmatched by any synthetic blend. The aroma is the main gauge of a successful blend.
The new standard for authenticity is authenticity. It’s the most important thing in the market. No matter if a producer opts for live-extracted profile, cold-cured varieties or refined CO2 terpenes but the aim remains the same: keep the original character of the plant. When terpenes are handled with respect and care, they do more than improve the quality of products. They also carry the cannabis cultivation forward in the most well-known form.
