As the market for cannabis grows, as do expectations for taste and authenticity. Customers no longer seek out products that simply “work”. They are looking for scents that help them identify it and flavors which reflect authentic cannabis. This growing demand has placed Cannabis derived terpenes at the center of serious product development conversations.
Image credit: massterpenes.com
Why Terpenes Define Cannabis Identity
Terpenes, which are the aromatic compounds that give cannabis its distinct aroma and flavor, are responsible for this. They influence how a product will be perceived before any effects are experienced. Terpenes, when properly preserved can convey freshness, strain ancestry and overall quality. Even the most potent of products could be artificial or spongy if not properly handled.
Real Cannabis terpenes are sourced directly from the cannabis flower, and capture the aroma of the plant’s. This is an entirely different approach from botanical terpene mixtures that mimic cannabis profiles with compounds extracted from other plants than cannabis. Although botanical blends are economical, they don’t always provide the depth and layering that experienced consumers associate with true cannabis.
The extraction technique determines the final outcome
How terpenes have been extracted will have a major influence on the final product. Hydrocarbon extraction from fresh or freshly frozen plants is preferred to capture vibrant, resinous scents. These techniques protect delicate compounds, which can easily disappear in high-heat or drying processes.
However CO2 terpenes have a different advantage. Carbon dioxide extraction is precise and produces stable, clean terpene fractions. The aroma produced may be less intense compared to hydrocarbon extractions. However, CO2-derived profiles have a higher value for consistency and purity in formulations.
Both methods have different purposes, and producers who are knowledgeable pick the method that is most suitable for their requirements rather than relying on marketing trends.
Fresh Material Can Make a measurable Difference
The high-quality terpenes of cannabis begin at harvest. Terpenes degrade quickly if exposed to heat, oxygen or even time. Freshly frozen materials, or flowers that have been preserved with care can help lock in the original aroma flavor.
No extraction method can be used to restore the value that has been lost after the degrading is observed. This is why experienced terpene producers focus obsessively on the sourcing process and handling. The smell and clarity of the substance will instantly tell you if it is fresh or compromised.
What to look for when purchasing cannabis Terpenes
It’s easy to ignore flashy claims and descriptions when looking at Cannabis Terpenes. Transparency however is more important. Buyers need to know where the Terpenes come from and the method of extraction, and how they are treated following extraction.
Consistency is another important element. True cannabis-derived products must smell the same from batch to batch, especially when they’re a specific strain. The presence of large variations can indicate instability sourcing or rushed production which are both red flags for companies who are focused on quality.
A Specified Methodology for Terpene Craft
Some producers try to do all things at once. Others opt to focus on a specific area. Mass Terpenes falls into the second category, focusing solely on the extraction of terpenes rather than expanding their focus to other different types of products. The emphasis on terpenes gives more control of the end product, aroma and processing.
Mass Terpenes prioritizes small-batch manufacturing and post-processing that lets the aroma speak for itself. Instead of relying on hype The quality is designed to be felt directly through scent and flavor that are distinct cannabis.
Aroma as a Quality Check
A lab report isn’t a substitute for the first time a cannabis container is opened. The complexity and acquaintance with cannabis-derived terpenes are immediately apparent, and they can’t be matched by artificial blends. Aroma is the most reliable gauge of a successful blend.
As the cannabis market develops and becomes more authentic, it is the primary differentiator. It doesn’t matter if a product is made with CO2 terpenes which have been refined or cured cold, the main objective is to preserve the plant’s original character. When terpenes are treated with respect and care and care, they not only make products better, they also bring cannabis cultivation forward in the most well-known form.