As the market for cannabis grows, expectations about flavor and authenticity are rising. As the market for cannabis develops consumers are less satisfied with products simply that “work”. Instead they are looking for authentic tastes and scents of real cannabis. Cannabis Terpenes that are derived from cannabis have become the main focus of product development due to the growing demand.
The Terpenes that Define Cannabis Identity
Terpenes provide the unique taste and aroma of marijuana strains. They can alter the perception of a product from cannabis before effects even occur. If properly preserved, terpenes are able to communicate freshness as well as quality and strain lineage. Even highly-potent products can be fake or spongy if not handled correctly.
Image credit: massterpenes.com
Cannabis flower terpenes capture the scent of the plant. This is distinct from botanical blends of terpenes which try to mimic cannabis profiles by using compounds made from plants other than cannabis. While botanical blends can be cost-effective, the depth of flavor that consumers expect from true cannabis isn’t always there.
The extraction method affects the result
Terpenes’ final flavor is determined by the method from which they’re extracted. Hydrocarbons are extracted from plant matter that is either frozen or fresh, and this method can capture the vibrant scents of live resin. These methods protect fragile compounds, which can easily disappear in high-heat or drying processes.
However CO2 terpenes provide another benefit. Carbon dioxide extraction creates pure, stable fractions of terpenes and allows to control them with precision. CO2 extractions may create a less intense scent than hydrocarbons that are live, but are still valued for quality and consistency, particularly in formulations that emphasize the balance of intensity over intensity.
Producers must choose their method not based on trends but rather the outcome they would like to achieve.
The distinction between old and new material is evident.
The quality of Terpenes derived from cannabis begins when they are harvested. Terpenes are volatile and are degraded when exposed to oxygen, heat or over time. If you use a fresh, frozen flower or a material that has been carefully preserved, you will be able to retain the aroma of your original.
After degradation, no extraction technique can bring back what was lost. The industry of terpenes is focused on the sourcing of raw materials and their handling. The difference between the fresh and the compromised material is immediately noticeable in smell clarity and in depth.
What to look out to look out for when purchasing Cannabis Terpenes
When evaluating Cannabis terpenes for sale, flashy descriptions and exaggerated claims are easy to ignore. Transparency is the most important thing. Buyers should know how the Terpenes were extracted and processed.
Consistency is also a major factor. True cannabis-derived products should smell the same from batch to batch particularly if they’re specific to a particular strain. Large variations often indicate unstable sources or production that is rushed, which are both red flags for companies who are focused on high-quality.
A Specified Methodology for Terpene Craft
Some producers attempt to be all things at once. Others prefer to concentrate on one thing. Mass Terpenes belongs to the second category, and concentrates exclusively on terpenes, instead of paying attention to multiple product varieties. This focus on terpene extraction allows for more control over aroma, processing, and final output.
Mass Terpenes places a high priority on small batch production, as well as a meticulous post-processing. This allows the scent to speak for the product. Instead of relying on a marketing campaign the quality of the product is felt directly through scent and taste that are unmistakably marijuana-based.
Aroma is the Ultimate Quality Check
No lab report replaces the moment a container is opened. Cannabis-derived terpenes of superior quality are instantly recognizable, displaying a level of complexity and familiarity unmatched by any artificial blend. Aroma is the most reliable indicator of success.
As the industry grows authenticity is now the main factor. The aim is the same, regardless of whether the producer is using CO2 terpenes or cold-cured varieties. When terpenes and cannabis are treated with intention and respect they do more to improve the quality of the quality of products. They bring the culture of cannabis into the future in the most well-known forms.