As the cannabis market matures, consumers’ expectations about authenticity and taste are rising. As the cannabis market matures consumers are less content with products simply that “work”. Instead they are looking for authentic tastes and aromas of real cannabis. Cannabis Terpenes derived from cannabis have become the main area of research and development due to the growing demand.
Image credit: massterpenes.com
Terpenes comprise the primary components of cannabis identity
Terpenes are the source of the distinct flavor and aroma of marijuana strains. They influence the perception of a product from cannabis before the effects begin to manifest. When properly stored Terpenes convey freshness and strain lineage. They also communicate general quality. Even products with high potency can be artificial or flat if they are not handled correctly.
Real Cannabis terpenes are sourced directly from cannabis flower, capturing the plant’s natural aromatic fingerprint. This is a distinct distinction from botanical blends of terpenes, which try to mimic cannabis profiles by using compounds made from plants other than cannabis. Blends of botanicals can be more economical, but they don’t offer the same level of substance as genuine cannabis.
The extraction method determines the outcome
The method of extraction of terpenes is essential to their final properties. Hydrocarbons are extracted from plant materials that are either fresh or frozen, and this process captures the vibrant scents of live resin. These methods preserve delicate substances that are easily destroyed during drying or heat processing.
CO2 Terpenes are also a good alternative. CO2 extraction is highly precise and yields stable, clean terpene fractions. The resultant aroma could be more solitary than extracting live hydrocarbons, however CO2 derived profiles are valued for consistency and purity especially when it comes to formulations that require balance more than intensity.
Producers must choose their method not based on the latest trends, but rather on what they would like to achieve.
Fresh Material Can Make a measurable Impact
When the harvest is completed the quality of cannabis-derived compounds starts to be established. Terpenes are volatile, and can quickly degrade if brought in contact with oxygen, temperature, time, or other variables. Freshly frozen material or flower that has been properly preserved, can help lock in the original scent character.
Once degradation has taken place and extraction techniques have failed, no method will be able to restore all that was lost. This is why experienced producers of terpenes are enthralled by sourcing and processing. The difference in aroma clarity, depth and complexity between fresh and compromised material is immediately apparent.
What should you look for when buying Cannabis Terpenes
It’s easy to ignore exaggerated claims and descriptions when looking at Cannabis Terpenes. Transparency is the most important thing. Buyers need to know where the terpenes came from, the method of extraction, and how they are processed following extraction.
Consistency, too, is a major factor. The aroma of cannabis-derived products should be consistent from batch to batch. This is particularly important when the strains are different. If there is a lot of difference in smell, it could be a sign of unstable sourcing and rushed production. Both are warnings for companies that are concerned about quality.
A Focused Approach to Terpene Craft
Some producers try to do all things to all people. Some producers choose to specialize. Mass Terpenes is in the second class. It is focused solely on terpenes extraction, rather than dividing attention between multiple product types. That narrow focus allows for more control over aroma processing, and the final product.
Mass Terpenes prioritizes small-batch manufacturing and post-processing that lets the aroma speak for itself. Instead of relying on advertising quality, it should be experienced through scents and flavors that are unmistakably Cannabis-like.
Aroma is the Ultimate Quality Check
The lab report will never be able to replace the moment an open container has been opened. Terpenes that are high-quality and derived from cannabis announce themselves instantly, with a complexity and familiarity that artificial blends struggle to match. Aroma remains the most honest indicator of the success.
Authenticity has become a key factor in differentiating the market as it continues to evolve. The aim is the same regardless of whether the producer is using CO2 terpenes, or cold-cured varieties. Terpenes when handled with care and a sense of purpose are more than just improving products. They also carry the cannabis culture forward.