As the market for marijuana matures and grows, so does consumer expectations. The customer is not satisfied with items that “work”. They want experiences that are true to the plant, smells that evoke recognition, and flavors that reflect the real cannabis. Cannabis derived terpenes now form the basis of all serious product discussions.
Image credit: massterpenes.com
The Terpenes that Define Cannabis Identity
Terpenes is an aromatic compound responsible for the distinct aroma and taste of cannabis strains. They can alter the perception of a product from cannabis before any effects take place. Terpenes, when properly preserved convey the freshness of the product, its strain ancestry, and overall product quality. Even highly-potent products can be fake or spongy if not properly handled.
Real Cannabis terpenes are sourced directly from cannabis flower, capturing the plant’s natural aromatic fingerprint. This is a distinct difference from botanical terpenes which are derived from non-cannabis sources, and attempt to mimic cannabis profiles. Although botanical blends are cost-effective but the flavor that consumers expect from true cannabis isn’t always available.
The Extraction Method is the Key to the Final Results
The method used to extract terpenes has a significant impact on their final characteristics. Hydrocarbons taken from fresh or recently frozen plant materials are typically utilized to create vivid, resinous-like scents. These methods help preserve fragile substances that can be easily destroyed when drying or processing at high temperatures.
In addition CO2 terpenes have an additional benefit. Carbon dioxide extraction yields clean, stable fractions of terpenes and allows for precision control. The resultant aroma could be more restrained compared to live hydrocarbon extractions, but CO2 derived profiles are valued for consistency and purity especially in formulations where balance is important more than intensity.
It’s not possible to decide between the two. Each has a purpose that is different and therefore producers must choose based on their desired outcome, not market trends.
Fresh Material Can Make a measurable Difference
The quality of cannabis derived Terpenes is determined by harvest. Terpenes are volatile and will quickly degrade if they come in contact with oxygen, temperature or time variables. Use of fresh frozen material and properly preserved flowers can help to preserve the original aromatic profiles.
Once degradation occurs, no extraction technique can bring back the original amount. The most experienced terpene producers are focused on sourcing and handling obsessively. The difference in aroma clarity in depth, complexity and intensity between fresh and compromised material is instantly noticeable.
What should you look for when buying cannabis Terpenes
Exaggerated descriptions and flashy words are easy to overlook when looking at Cannabis Terpenes. Transparency is more important. Buyers must be aware of where the terpenes came from, the method of extraction, and what they’re processed into after extraction.
Consistency is another key aspect. The cannabis-derived products, specifically the those that are specific to a particular strain, must possess the same smell from batch-to-batch. The fact that there are large differences is a sign that the brand cares about the quality of its products.
Terpene Craft: A Focused method
Some producers attempt to be everything all at once. Some producers decide to concentrate on one thing. Mass Terpenes is in the second class. It focuses exclusively on the extraction of terpenes rather than dividing attention between different types of products. This focus is more focused and allows for better control of aroma processing, as well as output.
Mass Terpenes puts an emphasis on letting the smell take the lead. Instead of relying solely on the hype the quality of the product is experienced directly by scent and taste that are unmistakably marijuana-based.
Aroma: The Ultimate Quality Check
No lab report can ever be able to replace the moment the container is opened. High-quality cannabis derived terpenes reveal their true nature immediately, with an array of complexity and familiarity that artificial blends aren’t able to match. Aroma is the most reliable measure of success.
As the cannabis industry grows authenticity has become the main distinctive feature. The same goal applies whether producers choose live-extracted profiles or CO2 refined terpenes. If terpenes are handled with respect and care They do more than improve the quality of products. They also carry cannabis culture forward in its most well-known shape.
