As the market for cannabis matures, and expectations increase for flavor and authenticity. Consumers are not content with items that “work”. They are seeking products that truly reflect the plant, smells that make them feel familiar, and flavors that reflect actual cannabis. Terpenes derived from cannabis are prominent in product development due to the increasing demand.
Why Terpenes Define Cannabis Identity
Terpenes are the compounds that are that are responsible for the distinctive scent and taste of cannabis strains. They affect the way a product’s perceived quality before any effects are felt. When properly stored, Terpenes can communicate freshness as well as strain lineage and overall quality. If they are handled badly even a product with a high potency may be a bit spongy or synthetic.
Image credit: massterpenes.com
Real Cannabis terpenes are sourced directly from cannabis flower, capturing the aroma of the plant’s. This is fundamentally a different approach from botanical terpene mixtures which mimic the cannabis profile using compounds derived from other plants than cannabis. While botanical blends can be cost-effective, the depth of flavor that people expect from real cannabis is not always present.
The Extraction Method determines the Outcome
How terpenes have been extracted has a big impact on the final product. Hydrocarbons obtained from fresh or newly-frozen plant materials are often utilized to create vivid, resinous-like scents. These methods protect fragile compounds, which can easily be lost in high-heat or drying processes.
CO2 terpenes, however, offer another advantage. Carbon dioxide terpene extraction provides precise control as well as clean and stable terpene fragments. The aroma that is produced can be less intense compared to hydrocarbon-based extractions. However, CO2 derived profiles are superior for consistency and purity formulations.
A producer should choose their approach based on not the latest trends, but rather on what they want.
Fresh Material makes a tangible Impact
Terpenes from high-quality cannabis are harvested when they are harvested. Terpenes break down quickly when exposed to heat, oxygen or time. The original scent is best preserved by using fresh frozen flowers or other materials which are properly preserved.
Once degradation occurs and the process is not able to recover fully what was lost. This is the reason experienced Terpene producers are focused on sourcing and handling. The contrast between fresh and compromised material is immediately noticeable in aroma clarity and depth.
What to look out for when purchasing Cannabis Terpenes
When evaluating Cannabis terpenes for sale, flashy descriptions and exaggerated claims are easy to ignore. Transparency is the most important thing. The consumer must understand the origins of the Terpenes, the extraction process, and the process after extraction.
Consistency is also a major factor. True cannabis-derived products should smell exactly the same from batch to particularly when they are strain-specific. The large variations could indicate insecure sources, or an overly fast production. These are both warning signs in the case of quality-focused brands.
Terpene Craft: A Focused Methodology
Some producers try to do all things at one time. Some prefer specialization. Mass Terpenes fits into the second category because it focuses on terpenes exclusively instead of spreading attention across different types of products. This focus on terpene extraction allows for more control of aromas processing, as well as the final product.
Mass Terpenes places a high emphasis on small-scale production, as well as a meticulous post-processing. This allows the scent to speak for itself. The quality should be experienced immediately, not via media hype.
Aroma as the Ultimate Quality Check
The moment you open a bottle, there is no lab report that will be able to replace it. The aroma of high-quality cannabis-derived Terpenes is instantly noticeable and it has a familiarity and complexity that is hard to duplicate in synthetic blends. Aroma is still the best gauge of a successful blend.
As the industry continues to evolve authenticity is the main factor. This is true whether producers choose live-extracted profiles or CO2 refined Terpenes. Terpenes when handled with respect and care are more than just improving products. They also carry the cannabis tradition forward.
