As the cannabis industry develops the expectations of consumers regarding authenticity and taste are rising. Consumers are not content with products that “work”. They are looking for authentic experiences that reflect the plant, aromas that evoke recognition and taste that reflects the real cannabis. This growing demand has placed Cannabis derived terpenes at the center of serious product development conversations.
Image credit: massterpenes.com
Why Terpenes Define Cannabis Identity
Terpenes is an aromatic compound responsible for the distinct aroma and taste of cannabis strains. They can affect perceptions of a product from cannabis before effects even occur. If they are properly preserved Terpenes are a source of freshness, strain history, and also quality. Even highly-potent products can be fake or spongy if not properly handled.
Cannabis flower terpenes capture the natural aromatic fingerprint of the plant. This is fundamentally unlike botanical terpenes which are derived from non-cannabis sources and attempt to mimic cannabis profiles. While botanical blends have a lower price, they do not have the complexity that cannabis lovers would like to see.
The extraction method affects the result
Terpenes’ final flavor is largely determined by how they’re extracted. Hydrocarbon extraction using fresh or freshly frozen plant matter is frequently favored for capturing vibrant, live-resin-like scents. These techniques preserve fragile compounds that can be easily lost in heat or drying.
CO2 Terpenes have the advantage of being able to extract CO2. CO2 extraction allows for exact control and creates solid and clean terpenes. CO2 extractions may create a less intense scent than hydrocarbons that are live, but remain coveted for their the purity and consistency they provide, especially when formulas emphasize the balance of intensity over intensity.
It’s impossible to pick between these two. Each has an objective that is distinct, and producers should choose based on their intended outcome instead of market trends.
Fresh Material Can Make a measurable difference
The quality of cannabis derived Terpenes are determined by the harvest. Terpenes are volatile and will rapidly degrade when they come into contact with oxygen heat and time or other factors. If you use a fresh, frozen flower or material that is carefully preserved, you can preserve the original aroma.
After degradation and extraction techniques fail, they cannot bring back the original amount. The industry of terpenes is focused on the sourcing of raw materials and the handling of them. The smell and clarity of the product will immediately tell you whether it is fresh or deteriorated.
What to Look out for when purchasing Cannabis Terpenes
When looking at Cannabis Terpenes on sale, flashy descriptions and exaggerated claims are easy to ignore. Transparency is the most important thing. Buyers need to be aware of where the terpenes came from, the method of extraction, and what they’re processed into following extraction.
Consistency plays a significant role. True cannabis-derived products must smell the identical from batch to batch particularly if they’re specific to a particular strain. Wide variations are often a sign of unstable sources or production that is rushed, and are a red flag for companies who are focused on high-quality.
A Focused Approach to Terpene Craft
Some producers try to do all things to all people. Others choose specialization. Mass Terpenes belongs to the second category, and concentrates solely on terpenes rather than paying attention to multiple product kinds. Terpenes are the focus, which provides greater control over the final product’s the aroma, and the processing.
Mass Terpenes’ small batch production and meticulous post-processing emphasizes the importance of letting the aromas be the main focus. Instead of being a product that is hyped the product’s quality is intended to be felt by the smell and taste that are distinct cannabis.
Aroma: The Ultimate Quality Check
No lab report can ever replace the moment that a container is open. Terpenes that are high-quality and derived from cannabis announce themselves immediately, with the complexity and familiarity that even artificial blends struggle to compete with. The aroma is the main gauge of a successful blend.
As the cannabis industry continues to grow, authenticity has become the main differentiator. Whatever the product is created using CO2 terpenes that are refined or cured cold, the main goal is to maintain the plant’s original character. When terpenes are treated with care and consideration, they do more than make products better, they also bring cannabis culture forward in its most recognizable form.
