As the marijuana market matures and grows as do expectations of consumers. Consumers no longer want products that simply “work”. They are looking for aromas from the plant that help them identify it and flavors which reflect the real cannabis. Cannabis derived products are being created to meet this demand.
Image credit: massterpenes.com
The Terpenes that Define Cannabis Identity
Terpenes, the aromatic substances that give cannabis its distinctive smell and taste are the main reason for this. They can affect perceptions of a cannabis product before the effects begin to manifest. When properly stored, Terpenes can communicate freshness as well as strain lineage and overall quality. If they are handled poorly even products with high potency can appear fake or flat.
Real Cannabis terpenes are sourced directly from cannabis flower, capturing the plant’s natural aromatic fingerprint. This is an entirely different method from the botanical terpene blends that mimic cannabis profiles using compounds derived from other plants than cannabis. While botanical blends can be cost-effective but the flavor that consumers expect from true cannabis isn’t always available.
The Extraction Method determines the End-Result
The method used to extract terpenes has a significant impact on their final characteristics. Hydrocarbon extraction from fresh or freshly frozen plant matter is frequently favored for capturing vibrant, live-resin-like scents. These methods preserve delicate compounds that can be easily lost in heat or drying.
CO2 Terpenes possess the advantage of being able to extract CO2. Carbon dioxide extraction creates clean, stable portions of terpenes that allow the precise control. While the smell is less strong than the aroma of live hydrocarbons CO2 profiles are appreciated for their purity and consistency. This is particularly true in formulations when balance is more crucial than intensity.
It’s not possible to pick between these two. Each has an objective that is distinct and the producers must make a decision based upon their intended outcome instead of market trends.
Fresh Material Can Make a Measureable Difference
The quality of cannabis-derived Terpenes are determined by the harvest. Terpenes break down quickly when exposed to oxygen, heat or prolonged time. By using fresh, frozen flower or a material that has been carefully preserved, you can preserve the original aroma.
After degradation and the process is not able to recover fully what has been lost. This is why experienced terpene-producers are obsessed with sourcing and processing. The difference between fresh and compromised material is evident in the scent clarity and intensity.
What should you look for when purchasing Cannabis Terpenes
It’s easy to overlook flashy claims and descriptions when looking at Cannabis Terpenes. The most important factor is transparency. Buyers must know where the terpenes come from, how they’re extracted and the products they’re transformed into after extraction.
Consistency plays a key role. A truly cannabis-based product must smell exactly the identical from batch-to-batch, even when it is strain-specific. The large variations could indicate insecure source of production, or the rush to produce. These are both indications of a problem in the case of high-quality brands.
Terpene Craft: A Focused Approach
Some producers attempt to be all things to all people. Others choose to specialize. Mass Terpenes, which focuses only on terpenes, rather than having a focus on different product categories, is in the second group. This specialized focus permits greater control of the smell processing, as well as output.
Mass Terpenes places a high priority on small batch production, as well as a meticulous post-processing. This enables the flavor to speak for the product. Instead of relying on hype, the quality is meant to be felt directly through scent and flavor that are distinct cannabis.
Aroma as A Quality Check
There is no lab report that can replace the moment a container is opened. The highest-quality cannabis-derived terpenes are revealed immediately, displaying complexity and familiarity that artificial blends are unable to compete with. Aroma remains the truest measure of the success.
As the cannabis industry expands and expand, authenticity has emerged as the key distinguishing factor. It doesn’t matter if a product is produced using CO2 terpenes, which are refined or cold-cured, the ultimate objective is to preserve the plant’s original character. If terpenes are handled with respect and care and care, they not only enhance products they carry cannabis cultivation forward in the most well-known shape.