As the cannabis industry matures, consumers’ expectations about flavor and authenticity are increasing. Customers are not satisfied with products which “work” no longer. They want the aromas and tastes that truly represent cannabis. Cannabis Terpenes derived from cannabis have become the main area of research and development due to the growing demand.
Image credit: massterpenes.com
What are Terpenes and How Do They Define Cannabis Identity
Terpenes, the aromatic substances that give cannabis its distinctive aroma and flavor are the main reason for this. They can affect the perception of a product for a long time before the effects can be felt. Terpenes, when properly preserved convey the freshness of the product, its strain ancestry and overall quality of the product. Even highly-potent products 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 distinct from botanical terpene blends, which attempt to mimic the cannabis profile using substances extracted from non-cannabis plants. While botanical blends have a lower cost, they lack the level of complexity that cannabis enthusiasts are looking for.
Extraction method shapes the outcome
How the terpenes were extracted has a big influence on the final product. Hydrocarbons are extracted from plant matter that is either frozen or fresh, and this technique is able to capture the vivacious scents of live resin. These techniques are employed to protect the delicate compounds which would otherwise be destroyed through drying or high-temperature processing.
CO2 Terpenes possess the advantage of being able to extract CO2. Carbon dioxide extraction permits exact control and creates solid and clean terpenes. The aroma produced may be less pronounced than hydrocarbon-based extractions. However, CO2 derived profiles are more valuable for purity and consistency in formulations.
Producers should select their method not based on trends but rather the outcome they want.
Fresh Material can make an observable difference
After harvest, the quality of cannabis-derived substances starts to be established. Terpenes are volatile and will quickly degrade if they come into contact with oxygen temperature and time or other factors. Using fresh frozen material or carefully preserved flowers helps to preserve the original aroma profile.
After degradation the extraction method cannot bring back what was lost. This is why seasoned Terpene producers are focused on sourcing and handling. The contrast between a fresh and compromised product is immediately noticeable in smell clarity and in depth.
What to Look for when purchasing Cannabis Terpenes
In evaluating Cannabis Terpenes on sale extravagant descriptions, over-inflated claims are simple to overlook. Transparency however is more important. Buyers must know where Terpenes come from the source, how they were extracted, and how they are treated following extraction.
Consistency is a crucial aspect. True cannabis-derived products should smell the exact same from batch to batch regardless of whether it’s specific to the strain. The fact that there are large differences indicates that the company cares about the quality of its products.
Terpene Craft: A Focused Method
Some producers try to be all things to all people. Others choose specialization. Mass Terpenes fits into the second category because it is focused on terpenes in particular instead of spreading attention across different types of products. This focus is more focused and allows for better control over the aroma, processing and output.
Mass Terpenes prioritizes small-batch manufacturing and post-processing to let the aroma speak for it. Instead of relying on hype, Mass Terpenes is determined to let the scent speak for it’s own voice.
Aroma: The Ultimate Quality Check
It is impossible to substitute when a bottle is opened. High-quality cannabis-derived terpenes can be instantly recognized, showing a level of quality and sophistication that cannot be matched by any artificial blend. Aroma remains the most honest measure of success.
As the industry continues to evolve authenticity is the main factor. No matter if a producer opts for live-extracted profiles, cold-cured varieties, or refined CO2 terpenes but the aim remains the same: keep the original character of the plant. When terpenes used with intention and vigilance, they’re more than just a way to improve the quality of products. They actually help carry cannabis’ culture forward.