As the marijuana market expands and matures, so does consumer expectations. Consumers no longer want products that just “work”. They want flavors from the plant that can make them recognize the plant and its flavors that reflect real cannabis. Cannabis Terpenes derived from cannabis have become the main area of research and development due to the rising demand.
Image credit: massterpenes.com
Why Terpenes Define Cannabis Identity
Terpenes provide the unique aroma and flavor of cannabis strains. They can affect perceptions of a product’s cannabis aroma before effects even occur. If properly preserved, terpenes convey freshness, strain history, and also quality. If they are handled poorly even products with high potency can seem artificial or slack.
Cannabis flower is the main source of genuine Cannabis terpenes, which captures the plant’s natural aromatic fingerprint. This is a distinct distinction from botanical terpene blends which attempt to imitate cannabis’s characteristics using compounds derived from non-cannabis cannabis plants. The botanical blends are economical, but they don’t offer the same depth as true cannabis.
The extraction technique determines the final outcome
The way terpenes are extracted will have a major influence on the end product. Hydrocarbons extracted from fresh or freshly-frozen plant materials are often utilized to produce vibrant, resinous-like scents. These methods protect compounds that can be easily destroyed during high-temperature processing or drying.
At the same time, CO2 terpenes offer a different advantage. CO2 extraction is highly precise and results in stable, clean terpene fractions. The aroma produced may be less intense compared to hydrocarbon extractions. However, CO2 derived profiles are more valuable for purity and consistency in formulations.
Neither method is inherently “better.” Each method serves an objective that is different, and informed producers choose based on their desired outcome rather than marketing trends.
The distinction between new and old material can be measured
The quality of cannabis derived terpenes is determined by the harvest. Terpenes degrade quickly if exposed to oxygen, heat or prolonged time. Freshly frozen materials, or flower that has been preserved with care will help preserve the original aroma flavor.
Once degradation has taken place the extraction method won’t be able restore everything that was lost. Terpene producers with experience focus on handling and sourcing obsessively. The smell and the clarity of the substance will tell you whether it is fresh or compromised.
What should you look for when purchasing Cannabis Terpenes
It is easy to disregard the glitzy statements and descriptions when it comes to evaluating Cannabis Terpenes. Transparency however is more crucial. Buyers must be aware of the process of extraction of terpenes and from where they are sourced and how they will be processed.
Consistency, too, is an important aspect. It is important that cannabis-derived goods smell identical, irrespective of size. Wide variations are usually an indication of brands who are concerned about quality.
A Specified Approach to Terpene Craft
Some producers try to do all things to all people. Certain producers opt to focus on a specific area. Mass Terpenes is in the second class. It concentrates solely on the extraction of terpenes, rather than dispersing attention between various types of products. Terpenes are the focus, which allows for more control over the final product’s aroma and processing.
Mass Terpenes prioritizes small-batch manufacturing and post-processing to let the aroma speak for it. Instead of relying solely on a marketing campaign Quality is to be experienced directly by scent and taste that are distinctively marijuana-based.
Aroma as the Ultimate Quality Check
There is no lab report that can replace the moment a container is opened. Terpenes derived from cannabis that are of high quality are instantly recognizable, displaying an amount of sophistication and familiarity that is unmatched by any synthetic blend. Aroma is the most reliable method to determine the quality of the blend.
Genuineness is the new distinguishing factor in the market. The objective is the same, whether a producer uses CO2 Terpenes or cold-cured varieties. When terpenes used with intention and vigilance, they’re more than just a way to improve the quality of products. They also help carry cannabis’ tradition forward.