As the cannabis industry develops the expectations of consumers regarding flavor and authenticity are increasing. Consumers are no longer satisfied by items that “work”. They are seeking authentic experiences that reflect the plant, aromas that are memorable, and flavors that reflect actual cannabis. Cannabis derived terpenes now form the basis of all serious product discussions.
The Terpenes that Define Cannabis Identity
Terpenes provide the unique flavor and aroma of cannabis strains. They influence how a product is perceived even before it is felt. If properly preserved Terpenes signal freshness, strain lineage, as well as overall quality. If handled badly even products with high potency can seem artificial or spongy.
Image credit: massterpenes.com
Real Cannabis terpenes are sourced directly from the cannabis flower, which captures the natural aroma of the plant. It’s a completely different product from botanical terpenes blends which attempt to replicate the cannabis profile using compounds taken from non-cannabis plants. While botanical blends can be cost-effective, the depth of flavor that people expect from real cannabis isn’t always available.
The extraction method influences the outcome
Terpenes’ final flavor is determined by the method from which they are extracted. Hydrocarbons obtained from fresh or newly-frozen plant materials are often used to capture the vibrant scents of resinous. These techniques preserve fragile compounds which are easily lost during drying or heat processing.
In addition CO2 terpenes have another benefit. CO2 extraction permits exact control and results in pure, stable terpene fragments. CO2 extractions could produce a more subdued scent than hydrocarbons that are live, but still have a place in the market for quality and consistency, particularly when formulas emphasize balance over intensity.
Both strategies work equally well, however each has a specific function. A knowledgeable producer makes their decisions based on desired result rather than marketing trends.
Fresh Material Can Make a measurable Impact
The quality of Cannabis-derived terpenes begins at harvest. Terpenes can be volatile and quickly degrade if brought into contact with oxygen, temperatures and time or other variables. Freshly frozen materials, or flowers that have been properly preserved, helps to preserve the original scent character.
Once degradation occurs it is impossible to fully recover what was lost. For this reason, experienced producers of terpenes are obsessed with finding and processing. The aroma and clarity of the substance will immediately tell you whether it’s fresh or damaged.
What to look out for when buying Cannabis Terpenes
It is easy to disregard the glitzy claims and descriptions when looking at Cannabis Terpenes. Transparency is the most important thing. Buyers must understand how terpenes are extracted and from where they are sourced and how they will be processed.
Consistency is a key element. A truly cannabis-based product must smell exactly the same from batch-to batch, even when it is specific to a particular strain. Wide variations are usually a red flag for brands that care about quality.
Terpene Craft: A Focused method
Others opt to specialize. Some choose to specialize. Mass Terpenes is in the second category. It focuses exclusively on terpenes extraction, instead of dividing attention among multiple product types. This narrow focus gives more control over aroma, processing, and output.
Mass Terpenes places a high importance on small batch production and careful post-processing. This enables the flavor to speak for itself. Instead of solely relying on hype the quality of the product is experienced directly by scent and taste that are unmistakably marijuana-based.
Aroma is the Ultimate Quality Check
When you open a bottle, there is no lab report that can be replaced. The smell of cannabis that is high-quality Terpenes is evident immediately, and has a familiarity and depth that is difficult to duplicate in synthetic blends. The aroma is the main indicator of success.
As the market is evolving authenticity is the main factor. No matter whether a product is created using CO2 terpenes, which are refined or cold-cured, the final objective is to preserve the plant’s original character. When terpenes have been handled with care and respect, they can do much more than simply enhance the product. They can also assist in bringing cannabis culture in its most recognizable format.