As the market for marijuana develops and expands, so does consumer expectations. The customer is not satisfied with products which “work”. They are looking for experiences that are true to the plant, aromas that make them feel familiar and tastes that reflect the actual cannabis. Cannabis Terpenes derived from cannabis are now the foundation of any serious discussions about products.
Why Terpenes Define Cannabis Identity
Terpenes give the distinct flavor and aroma of marijuana strains. They affect the way a product’s perceived quality is long before the effects are felt. If properly preserved Terpenes convey the freshness of the product, its strain lineage, as well as overall quality. Even products with high potency that are mishandled can cause them to appear artificial.
Image credit: massterpenes.com
Cannabis flower is the source of real Cannabis Terpenes that capture the natural aroma of the plant. It’s a distinct product from botanical terpenes blends which attempt to replicate the cannabis profile using compounds taken from non-cannabis plants. While botanical blends can be cost-effective however, the flavor depth that consumers expect from true cannabis isn’t always there.
The Extraction Method Defines the End-Result
The way terpenes are extracted plays a major role in their final flavor. Hydrocarbon extraction of fresh or freshly frozen plants is a preferred method to extract vivid, resinous aromas. These methods are used to preserve the fragile compounds that would otherwise be destroyed by drying or high heat processing.
CO2 terpenes also offer an advantage. Carbon dioxide extraction yields clean, stable parts of terpenes, and allows to control them with precision. The aroma produced may be less strong than hydrocarbon extractions. However, CO2 derived profiles are superior for consistency and purity in formulations.
Producers must choose their method not based on trends, but rather on the result they wish to achieve.
Fresh Material Can Make a measurable difference
The quality of Cannabis-derived terpenes begins at harvest. Terpenes can be volatile and degrade when exposed either to heat, oxygen or time. Freshly frozen material or a flower that has been preserved with care can help lock in the original aroma character.
When degradation has occurred the extraction method cannot completely restore what was lost. This is why it is that the most experienced terpene makers are meticulous about their source and handling. Aroma clarity and depth are immediately different between fresh material and compromised material.
What to Look for when buying Cannabis Terpenes
When looking at Cannabis Terpenes, it’s easy to ignore the glitzy descriptions. Transparency is more important. Buyers must know where terpenes came from, how they were extracted, and how they are treated following extraction.
Consistency also plays an important part. The scent of cannabis-derived items should be consistent from batch to batch. This is particularly true when the varieties are different. The fact that there are large differences is a sign that the brand cares about quality.
Terpene Craft: a Focused Approach
Some choose to specialize. Others opt for specialization. Mass Terpenes, which focuses only on terpenes, rather than dealing with multiple categories of products, falls into the second category. The narrow focus allows for greater control over the aroma, final output, and the processing.
By prioritizing small-batch production and careful post-processing, Mass Terpenes emphasizes letting the scent speak for itself. The flavor should be felt immediately, not via hype.
Aroma is the Ultimate Quality Check
No lab report replaces the moment a bottle is opened. Terpenes derived from cannabis that are of high quality are immediately identifiable, displaying the level of sophistication and familiarity that is unmatched by any synthetic blend. Aroma is the only true measure of quality.
As the industry continues to evolve authenticity is now the main factor. Whether a producer chooses live-extracted profiles, cold-cured varieties or refined CO2 terpenes but the aim remains the same: keep the plant’s natural character. Terpenes, when handled with respect and intention, do more than improve the quality of products. They also help carry the cannabis tradition forward.