As the market for cannabis grows, expectations about flavor and authenticity are rising. As the market for cannabis matures, consumers are less satisfied with products that simply “work”. Instead they seek authentic flavors and scents of real cannabis. This growing demand has placed Cannabis derived terpenes at the center of serious product development conversations.
Image credit: massterpenes.com
What are Terpenes and How Do They Define Cannabis Identity
Terpenes are the source of the distinct aroma and taste of marijuana strains. They impact how a particular product will be perceived before any effects are felt. When preserved properly, terpenes communicate the freshness of the product, its strain lineage, and overall quality. Even a highly potent product may become fake or flat when handled incorrectly.
The genuine Cannabis Terpenes originate from the cannabis flower and preserve its aroma. It’s a distinct product than botanical terpenes mixes that try to recreate the cannabis profile using compounds taken from non-cannabis plants. While botanical blends are less expensive, they don’t offer the same depth as cannabis experts associate with it.
The extraction method determines the outcome
The method of extraction of terpenes is essential to their final characteristics. Hydrocarbons taken from fresh or recently frozen plant material are commonly used to capture vibrant, resinous-like scents. These methods preserve compounds that can easily be destroyed in high-temperature processes or drying.
In addition CO2 terpenes have another benefit. CO2 extraction is highly precise and produces stable, clean terpene fractions. The aroma of the resulting profile could be less pronounced than with live hydrocarbon extractions. But CO2 profiles offer consistency and purity, particularly when formulas are based on balance over intensity.
Both methods are equally effective, but each serves a distinct function. Producers who are well-informed make their decision based on the desired outcome, not on marketing trends.
Fresh Material makes a noticeable impact
The quality of cannabis derived Terpenes is determined by harvest. Terpenes are volatile by nature, meaning they degrade quickly when exposed to heat, oxygen or even time. If you use a fresh, frozen flowers or a material that has been carefully preserved, you can lock in your original aroma.
Once degradation has taken place and extraction techniques have failed, no method will be able restore everything that was lost. Because of this, skilled producers of terpenes are obsessed with finding and processing. The scent and the clarity of the substance will instantly tell you if it’s fresh or damaged.
What to look for when buying Cannabis Terpenes
In evaluating Cannabis terpenes for sale the flashy descriptions and over-inflated claims are simple to ignore. What matters more is transparency. Buyers must understand how terpenes are extracted and where they originate from and how they are processed.
Consistency is also a crucial factor. Cannabis-derived products, particularly strain-specific ones, should have the same aroma from batch to batch. Wide variations are usually a red flag for brands who are concerned about quality.
Terpene Craft: A Focused Approach
Some producers try to do everything at once. Others choose to specialize. Mass Terpenes fits into the second category, since it is focused on terpenes in particular instead of focusing attention on various types of products. The focus on terpenes allows for more control of the end product’s scent and processing.
Mass Terpenes’ small batch production and meticulous post-processing emphasizes the importance of letting aromas speak for themselves. Instead of heavily relying on hype, Massterpenes will let the scent speak for itself.
Aroma as an opportunity to conduct a Quality Check
The lab report is not replaced the moment a container is opened. Terpenes that are high-quality and derived from cannabis reveal themselves instantly, with an array of complexity and familiarity that artificial blends can’t beat. Aroma is the best method of evaluating the success.
The cannabis industry continues to grow and expand, authenticity has emerged as the key distinguishing factor. The goal is the same, whether a producer uses CO2 terpenes or cold-cured varieties. When terpenes are utilized with intent and vigilance, they’re more than just a way to improve the quality of the product. They also help carry cannabis’ tradition forward.