As the market for marijuana expands and matures, so does consumer expectations. Customers are no longer content with products that simply “work.” They want experiences that are authentically like the aromas of the plant that spark recognition and flavors that are true to cannabis, not approximations. Cannabis derived terpenes now form the core of serious product discussions.
Image credit: massterpenes.com
What are Terpenes and How Do They Define Cannabis Identity
Terpenes is the aromatic compound responsible for the distinct taste and scent of cannabis strains. They affect how a product will be perceived before any effects are felt. If properly preserved Terpenes can convey freshness, strain heritage, and quality. Even high-potency substances treated improperly may make them appear fake.
Real Cannabis terpenes are sourced directly from the cannabis flower, capturing the plant’s natural aromatic fingerprint. This is a distinct distinction from botanical blends of terpenes, which attempt to imitate cannabis’s characteristics by using substances that are not derived from cannabis plants. Although botanical blends are economical but the flavor that consumers expect from true cannabis isn’t always there.
Extraction Method Influences the Outcome
The method of extraction used to extract Terpenes plays a huge role on their final characteristics. Hydrocarbon extraction is usually preferred for capturing vivid, resin-like scents. These methods protect fragile compounds, which can easily disappear in high-heat or drying processes.
At the same time, CO2 terpenes offer a different advantage. Carbon dioxide extraction produces solid, clean portions of terpenes that allow to control them with precision. While the scent isn’t as strong than the aroma of hydrocarbons that are living, CO2 profiles are highly valued because of their consistency and purity. This is especially the case in formulations where balance is more crucial than intensity.
Each method is not inherently “better.” Each method serves an objective that is different, and informed producers choose based on their desired outcome rather than based on marketing trends.
Fresh Material is measurable
When the harvest is completed the quality of cannabis-derived substances is determined. Terpenes by nature are volatile, which means they will degrade rapidly when exposed to oxygen, heat or time. Use of fresh frozen material and properly preserved flowers can help to keep the original aroma profiles.
After degradation has occurred and the process of extraction ceases, there is no way that can bring back what is lost. For this reason, experienced terpene-producers are obsessed with sourcing and processing. The distinction between the fresh and the compromised material is evident in the aroma clarity and depth.
What to look out for when purchasing Cannabis Terpenes
When looking at Cannabis Terpenes it’s easy to ignore overly-exaggerated descriptions. What matters more is transparency. The buyer should be able to understand the source of the Terpenes, their extraction and processing after extraction.
Consistency is a crucial aspect. Cannabis-derived products, particularly strain-specific ones, should have the same aroma from batch to batch. The fact that there are large differences can be a sign that the company is concerned about quality.
Terpene Craft: A Focused method
Some producers try to do all things to all people. Some producers decide to concentrate on one thing. Mass Terpenes fits into the second category because it concentrates on terpenes only instead of focusing attention on various types of products. This narrow focus permits more control over the scent, final output, and processing.
Mass Terpenes prioritizes small-batch manufacturing and post-processing, letting the aroma speak for itself. Instead of relying on the hype, Mass Terpenes is determined to let the scent speak for itself.
Aroma: The Ultimate Quality Check
No lab report replaces the moment a bottle is opened. High-quality cannabis-derived terpenes announce themselves instantly, with a sophistication and a familiarity that synthetic blends are unable to meet. Aroma is still the best indicator of success.
Authenticity is the new differentiator in the business. Whatever the producer chooses to use CO2 terpenes that are refined from CO2 or live extracted profiles of cannabis, the ultimate objective is the same: maintain the essence of the plant. When terpenes are handled with care and respect they will do more than enhance the quality of the product. They can also help in bringing cannabis culture in its most well-known format.