As the cannabis sector grows, expectations of consumers regarding authentic taste and authenticity are rising. As the market for cannabis matures, consumers are less satisfied with products that just “work”. Instead, they want authentic flavors and scents of real cannabis. Cannabis derived products are being developed to satisfy the demand.
Why Terpenes Define Cannabis Identity
Terpenes provide the unique flavor and aroma of cannabis strains. They affect how a product is perceived before it is felt. When properly stored Terpenes convey the freshness of the product, its strain lineage and overall quality. Even products with high potency can be artificial or spongy if not handled correctly.
Image credit: massterpenes.com
Cannabis flower terpenes are a way to capture the aroma of the plant. This is a distinct distinction from botanical blends of terpenes, which attempt to imitate cannabis profiles by using compounds made from plants other than cannabis. Although botanical blends are cost-effective, they rarely deliver the depth and layering that experienced consumers associate with true cannabis.
The Extraction Method determines the Outcome
The final character of terpenes is determined by the method from which they are extracted. Hydrocarbon extraction from fresh or fresh-frozen plant material is often popular for its ability to create vivid, live-resin-like aromas. These methods conserve fragile compounds that can be easily lost during drying or heat processing.
CO2 Terpenes possess the advantage of being able to extract CO2. CO2 terpene extraction gives precise control and safe and stable terpene fragments. The aroma produced may be less intense compared to hydrocarbon extractions. However, CO2 extracted profiles are superior for consistency and purity formulations.
It’s not possible to decide between the two. Each serves a different purpose and therefore producers must make a decision based upon their desired outcome, not market trends.
Fresh Material can make a tangible difference
The quality of Cannabis-derived terpenes begins at harvest. Terpenes are volatile and will quickly degrade if brought into contact with oxygen temperatures, time, or other variables. Utilizing fresh frozen material and carefully preserved flowers helps to lock in the original aromatic profiles.
Once degradation occurs it is impossible to completely recover what was lost. It is for this reason that terpene makers who have experience are meticulous about their source and handling. Fresh and compromised material are immediately identifiable through their scent clarity and the intensity.
What to be aware of when purchasing Cannabis Terpenes
It’s easy to ignore exaggerated claims and descriptions when evaluating Cannabis Terpenes. Transparency is the most important thing. Buyers must understand how terpenes are extracted, where they come from and how they will be processed.
Consistency is also a crucial aspect. True cannabis-derived products should smell the identical from batch to batch, especially when they’re a specific strain. Large variations often indicate unstable sourcing or rushed production and are a red flag for companies who are focused on high-quality.
A Focused Approach to Terpene Craft
Some producers try to be all things at once. Others opt for specialization. Mass Terpenes, which focuses only on terpenes, rather than being concerned with different product categories, falls under the second category. This narrow focus allows greater control of the smell, processing and output.
Mass Terpenes’ small batch production and meticulous post-processing highlight the importance of letting the aromas be the main focus. Instead of relying on hype The quality is designed to be felt directly through scent and flavor that are distinct cannabis.
Aroma as the Ultimate Quality Check
No lab report replaces the moment a bottle is opened. The aroma of high-quality cannabis-derived Terpenes is evident immediately, and it has a familiarity and depth that is difficult to replicate in synthetic blends. Aroma is still the best gauge of a successful blend.
As the cannabis market develops in the future, authenticity is the main differentiator. Whatever the product is produced using CO2 terpenes which have been refined or cold-cured, the final goal is to maintain the plant’s original character. When terpenes have been treated with respect and care and care, they are able to do more than just enhance the quality of the product. They can also help to keep the cannabis culture alive in its most well-known format.