As the market for marijuana expands and matures and expands, so do consumer expectations. The consumer is not satisfied with products that “work”. They are seeking authentic experiences that reflect the plant, aromas that make them feel familiar and tastes that reflect actual cannabis. Cannabis-derived terpenes are now prominent in product development discussions due to the growing demand.
Why Terpenes Define Cannabis Identity
Terpenes produce the distinctive aroma and taste of cannabis strains. They influence the perception of a product for a long time before the effects can be felt. Terpenes, when preserved correctly, communicate freshness, strain ancestry and overall quality of the product. If handled improperly even a product with a high potency may be a bit spongy or synthetic.
Image credit: massterpenes.com
Cannabis flower terpenes capture the scent of the plant. This is an entirely different approach from botanical terpene mixtures, which mimic cannabis profiles with compounds extracted from other plants than cannabis. Blends of botanicals can be more efficient in terms of cost, but they do not have the same level of substance as genuine cannabis.
The Extraction Method Determines the Result
The way terpenes are extracted has a huge impact on their final character. Hydrocarbons are extracted from plant material that is either frozen or fresh, and this method is able to capture the vivacious aromas of a live resin. These methods protect substances that are easily destroyed in high-temperature processes or drying.
CO2 Terpenes can also be a good alternative. Carbon dioxide terpene extraction provides precise control and clean and stable terpene fragments. The resultant aroma could be more solitary than extracting live hydrocarbons, however CO2 derived profiles are valued for their consistency and purity, particularly in formulations where balance is important more than the intensity.
Producers should select their method not based on trends but rather the outcome they would like to achieve.
Fresh Material makes a tangible difference
The quality of Cannabis-derived terpenes begins at harvest. Terpenes, by their nature, are volatile, which means they are prone to degrade when exposed to heat, oxygen or time. Using fresh frozen material or carefully preserved flowers helps lock in the original aromatic profile.
When degradation has occurred and extraction techniques fail, they cannot fully restore the amount of terpenes lost. The industry of terpenes is focused on the source of raw materials and their handling. Aroma clarity and depth are immediately different between fresh and damaged material.
What to look for when buying cannabis Terpenes
It is easy to ignore extravagant descriptions or exaggerated claims when you are evaluating Cannabis products on sale. Transparency is the most important thing. Buyers need to know how terpenes were extracted and processed.
Consistency is a further element. True cannabis-derived products should smell the identical from batch to batch, especially when they’re specific to a particular strain. The presence of large variations is often an indicator for companies who are concerned about the quality of their products.
Terpene Craft: A Focused method
Some producers attempt to be all things to all people. Others opt for specialization. Mass Terpenes fits into the second category, since it is focused on terpenes in particular instead of spreading attention across various types of products. This specialized focus permits greater control of the smell processing, as well as output.
By focusing on small-batch production as well as meticulous processing, Mass Terpenes emphasizes letting the scent be the main focus. Instead of relying upon advertising the quality must be felt through the smells and flavors that are distinct cannabis-based.
Aroma is the Ultimate Quality Check
The moment you open the bottle, no lab report will be able to replace it. Cannabis-derived terpenes of superior quality can be instantly recognized, showing the level of sophistication and familiarity that is unmatched by any synthetic blend. Aroma is still the best gauge of a successful blend.
Genuineness is the new distinguishing factor in the business. The same goal applies to producers who choose live extracted profiles or CO2 refined terpenes. When terpenes are treated with care and consideration, they do more than enhance products they carry the cannabis culture forward in its most recognizable form.
