As the marijuana industry matures and grows, so does consumer expectations. The consumer is no longer satisfied by products which “work”. They want authentic experiences that reflect the plant, smells that make them feel familiar and taste that reflects actual cannabis. Cannabis Terpenes derived from cannabis are now a key focus of product development due to the rising demand.
Image credit: massterpenes.com
What are Terpenes and How Do They Define Cannabis Identity
Terpenes are the source of the distinct aroma and taste of cannabis strains. They influence the way a product’s perceived quality can be determined long before effects are actually felt. Terpenes, when preserved correctly, communicate the freshness of the product, its strain ancestry and overall quality. Even the most potent of products can become artificial or flat when handled incorrectly.
Cannabis Terpenes are extracted directly from the flowers of cannabis plants, and they are able to capture the unique scent. This is a distinct method from the botanical terpene blends which mimic the cannabis profile using compounds derived from other plants than cannabis. While botanical blends might be less expensive, they don’t provide the same level of depth that cannabis experts consider to be part of it.
The extraction method affects the result
The method of extraction of terpenes plays a major role in their final character. The extraction of hydrocarbons from fresh or freshly frozen plant material is often preferred for its ability to capture vibrant, live-resin-like scents. This technique is used to preserve the fragile compounds that would otherwise be destroyed by drying or high heat processing.
At the same time, CO2 terpenes offer a different advantage. Carbon dioxide extraction yields pure, stable parts of terpenes, and allows for precision control. The flavor of the profile could be less pronounced than with live hydrocarbon extractions. However, CO2 profiles provide quality and consistency, particularly in formulations which value balance over intensity.
It’s not possible to pick between these two. Each has a purpose that is different and the producers must make a decision based upon the outcome they want to achieve, not marketing trends.
The distinction between the old and new materials is evident.
The high-quality terpenes of cannabis begin when the plants are harvested. Terpenes are degraded quickly when exposed to heat, oxygen or prolonged time. The aroma of the original is best preserved by using fresh frozen flowers or other materials that have been properly preserved.
After degradation and the process is not able to completely recover what has been lost. This is why experienced producers of terpenes are obsessed with finding and processing. Fresh and damaged materials are instantly distinguishable by their clarity of aroma and the intensity.
What to look out for when buying Cannabis Terpenes
When evaluating Cannabis Terpenes available for sale the flashy descriptions and over-inflated claims are simple to dismiss. Transparency is what matters most. Buyers need to be aware of where the terpenes came from, the method of extraction and the products they’re transformed into following extraction.
Consistency is also a crucial role. Truly cannabis-derived product will smell the identical from batch-to-batch even if it’s strain-specific. Wide variations are often a sign of unstable sources or production that is rushed, which are both red flags for companies that are focused on high-quality.
Terpene Craft: A Focused Approach
Others opt to specialize. Others choose specialization. Mass Terpenes is in the second group. It concentrates solely on the extraction of terpenes rather than dividing attention between different types of products. This narrow focus gives better control over the aromas, processing, and the final product.
Mass Terpenes places a high importance on small batch production and careful post-processing. This allows the scent to speak for the product. Instead of relying heavily on the hype, Mass Terpenes will let the scent speak for itself.
Aroma is the Ultimate Quality Check
It is impossible to replace when a bottle has been opened. Terpenes that are high-quality and derived from cannabis announce themselves immediately, with the complexity and familiarity that even artificial blends struggle to compete with. Aroma is still the best measure of success.
As the market continues to evolve authenticity is now the real differentiator. It doesn’t matter if a producer chooses to use CO2 terpenes refined from CO2 or live extracted profiles of cannabis, the end aim is the same: to maintain the original character of the plant. Terpenes, when handled with care and a sense of purpose can do more than just improve products. They also bring the cannabis tradition forward.
