As the market for marijuana matures and grows and expands, so do consumer expectations. Consumers are no longer looking for products that simply “work”. They are looking for flavors from the plant that make them recognize it and flavors which reflect real cannabis. Cannabis Terpenes derived from cannabis are now the basis of all serious discussions about products.
Image credit: massterpenes.com
What are Terpenes and How Do They Define Cannabis Identity
Terpenes provide the unique flavor and aroma of cannabis strains. They affect how a product is perceived long before effects are experienced. When preserved properly Terpenes convey freshness, strain lineage, as well as overall quality. Even the most potent of products could become fake or flat when handled incorrectly.
Real Cannabis terpenes are sourced directly from cannabis flower, capturing the plant’s natural aromatic fingerprint. This is a distinct method from the botanical terpene blends that mimic cannabis profiles with compounds extracted from other plants than cannabis. Although botanical blends may be more affordable, they do not provide the same level of depth that cannabis experts consider to be part of it.
Extraction Method Influences the Outcome
How the terpenes were extracted can have a significant influence on the end product. The extraction of hydrocarbons from fresh or frozen plants is preferred to capture the vivid, resinous aromas. These techniques preserve delicate compounds that are easily lost when drying or processing at high temperatures.
The CO2 terpenes offer another advantage. Carbon dioxide extraction creates solid, clean portions of terpenes that allow for precision control. CO2 extractions could produce a more subdued smell than the live hydrocarbons, however they remain coveted for their quality and consistency, particularly in formulations that value balance over intensity.
It is not possible to choose between the two. Each serves a purpose that is different and therefore producers must choose based on their desired outcome, not market trends.
Fresh Material is Measureable
The quality of Terpenes derived from cannabis begins with the harvest. Terpenes are volatile by nature, meaning they degrade quickly when exposed to oxygen, heat or even time. The original scent is best preserved using fresh frozen flowers or other materials which have been properly preserved.
There is no extraction method that can restore the lost value once degradation is observed. This is why it is that the most experienced terpene makers are meticulous about their source and handling. The contrast between the fresh and the compromised material is immediately noticeable in scent clarity and intensity.
What to be looking for when buying Cannabis Terpenes
Flashy descriptions and exaggerated statements are easy to overlook when looking at Cannabis terpenes. More important is the transparency. Buyers should understand where the Terpenes come from and how they were extracted, and the way they are treated after extraction.
Consistency plays an important role. The scent of cannabis-derived items should be constant from batch to batch. This is especially true when the strains are different. The presence of large variations is often an indication of brands who are concerned about the quality of their products.
Terpene Craft: A Focused method
Others choose to focus. Others choose to specialize. Mass Terpenes fits into the second group, as it focuses on terpenes exclusively instead of spreading attention across different types of products. The narrow focus allows for better control of the aroma, final output, as well as processing.
With a focus on small-batch production and meticulous post-processing, Mass Terpenes emphasizes letting the flavor be the main focus. Instead of heavily relying on hype, Mass Terpenes wants to let the aroma speak for it’s own voice.
Aroma as the Ultimate Quality Check
It is impossible to substitute after a container is opened. The complexity and acquaintance with cannabis-derived terpenes are evident immediately and cannot be matched by artificial blends. Aroma is still the most authentic measurement of success.
The new standard for authenticity is authenticity. It’s the most important thing in the market. This same principle applies regardless of whether producers opt for live-extracted profiles or CO2 refined Terpenes. Terpenes when handled with care and a sense of purpose can do more than just improve products. They also carry the cannabis tradition forward.