As the cannabis industry matures consumer expectations regarding authenticity and taste are rising. Consumers are no longer satisfied by products which “work”. They are seeking products that truly reflect the plant, aromas that evoke recognition and taste that reflects actual cannabis. Cannabis Terpenes derived from cannabis are now the basis of all serious product discussions.
Image credit: massterpenes.com
What are the Terpenes that define Cannabis identity?
Terpenes produce the distinctive smell and flavor of cannabis strains. They influence the perception of quality is long before the effects are experienced. When properly stored Terpenes are a way to convey the freshness of a product and also strain lineage. They also convey general quality. If handled improperly, even a high-potency product can feel flat or artificial.
Real Cannabis terpenes are sourced directly from cannabis flower, capturing the plant’s natural aromatic fingerprint. This is fundamentally unlike botanical terpenes, which are made from non-cannabis sources and attempt to imitate cannabis profiles. Although botanical blends are cost-effective, they rarely deliver the level of depth and depth users associate with real cannabis.
The extraction method determines the outcome
The method used to extract terpenes has a significant impact on their final characteristics. Hydrocarbons obtained from fresh or newly-frozen plant material are commonly utilized to create vibrant, resinous-like scents. These methods preserve fragile compounds that are easily lost when drying or processing at high temperatures.
However, CO2 terpenes offer another benefit. Carbon dioxide extraction produces solid, clean parts of terpenes, and allows the precise control. The resultant aroma could be more restrained compared to live hydrocarbon extractions, but CO2-derived profiles are admired for consistency and purity especially when it comes to formulations that require balance more than the intensity.
Both methods serve distinct purposes, and producers who are educated choose the method that is most suitable for their requirements rather than relying on marketing trends.
Fresh Material makes a noticeable change
When the harvest is completed, the purity of cannabis-derived compounds starts to be established. Terpenes can be volatile and quickly degrade if brought into contact with oxygen, temperature and time or other variables. Fresh frozen material, or a flower that has been properly preserved, helps to preserve the original aroma character.
Once degradation occurs and the process is not able to fully recover what was lost. Because of this, skilled producers of terpenes are enthralled by sourcing and processing. The aroma and clarity of the substance will immediately tell you whether it is fresh or compromised.
What to look for when Buying Cannabis Terpenes
It is easy to disregard exaggerated claims and descriptions when looking at Cannabis Terpenes. The most important thing is transparency. Buyers should understand where the Terpenes originate from and the method of extraction, and the way they are transformed after extraction.
Consistency is yet another important element. It is crucial that cannabis-derived goods smell the same, regardless of size. Wide variations are usually an indicator for companies who care about the quality of their products.
A Specified Methodology for Terpene Craft
Some producers try to do all things at once. Others choose specialization. Mass Terpenes is in the second category. It concentrates solely on the extraction of terpenes, instead of dividing attention among different types of products. This focus is narrow and allows for greater control over the scent, final output, as well as processing.
With a focus on small-batch production and meticulous post-processing, Mass Terpenes emphasizes letting the scent speak for itself. The flavor should be experienced immediately, not via the hype.
Aroma: The Ultimate Quality Check
A lab report is not a substitute for the first time that a cannabis bottle is opened. The complexity and familiarity of cannabis-derived Terpenes are evident immediately and cannot be replicated by synthetic blends. Aroma is the only real measurement of success.
As the market grows authenticity is now the main factor. Whatever the producer opts for CO2 terpenes refined using CO2 or live extracts of cannabis, the end objective is the same: maintain the essence of the plant. Terpenes, when treated with care and a sense of purpose can do more than just improve products. They also carry the cannabis tradition forward.