As the market for cannabis matures, so do expectations for flavor and authenticity. The customers aren’t content with products that “work” no longer. They want scents and flavors that are a reflection of cannabis. Cannabis Terpenes that are derived from cannabis now make up the core of serious discussions about products.
The Terpenes that Define Cannabis Identity
Terpenes, the aromatic compounds that give cannabis its distinctive scent and flavor, are responsible for this. They influence the impression of a product for a long time before its effects are evident. Terpenes, when properly preserved, communicate the freshness of the product, its strain ancestry and overall product quality. When handled poorly even the most potent product may feel stale or fake.
Image credit: massterpenes.com
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. Although botanical blends may be less expensive, they don’t have the same depth that cannabis experts consider to be part of it.
The extraction method determines the outcome
How the terpenes were extracted has a big impact on the end product. Hydrocarbons are extracted from plant materials that are either fresh or frozen, and this process can capture the vibrant aromas of a live resin. These techniques protect delicate substances, which are prone to lose their luster in high-heat drying processes.
However CO2 terpenes have an additional benefit. CO2 extraction permits precise control and creates pure, stable terpene fragments. The resultant aroma could be less pronounced than extracting live hydrocarbons, however CO2 derived profiles are valued for their consistency and purity, particularly in formulations where balance is important more than intensity.
It’s not possible to decide between the two. Each method serves an objective that is distinct, and producers should decide based on their desired outcome, not the latest trends in marketing.
The difference between old and new material is evident.
The quality of Cannabis-derived terpenes begins at harvest. Terpenes are degraded quickly when exposed to oxygen, heat or even time. Freshly frozen material or flowers that have been preserved with care will help preserve the original scent character.
After degradation has occurred and extraction techniques have failed, no method will be able to restore all of the lost. This is the reason that terpene makers who have experience are obsessive about sourcing and handling. The distinction between a fresh and compromised product can be immediately felt in scent clarity and intensity.
What to be aware of when buying Cannabis Terpenes
It’s easy to overlook exaggerated claims and descriptions when looking at Cannabis Terpenes. The most important factor is transparency. Buyers need to know the method of extraction and from where they are sourced and how they are processed.
Consistency is another important aspect. Cannabis-derived products, especially strain-specific ones, should have the same scent from batch to batch. The presence of large variations can be a sign that the company is concerned about quality.
Terpene Craft: A Focused Method
Some producers try to be all things at once. Some prefer specialization. Mass Terpenes belongs to the second class, and concentrates solely on terpenes rather than focusing attention across multiple products varieties. The emphasis on terpenes allows for more control of the end product, aroma and processing.
With a focus on small-batch production and precise post-processing, Mass Terpenes emphasizes letting the flavor be the main focus. Instead of relying upon advertising the quality is to be viewed through aromas and tastes that are distinctively cannabis-based.
Aroma as the Ultimate Quality Check
It’s impossible to change when a bottle has been opened. High-quality cannabis derived terpenes reveal themselves immediately, revealing a complexity and familiarity which synthetic blends cannot compete with. Aroma is the only real measurement of success.
Genuineness is the new distinguishing factor in the industry. Whatever the producer decides to use CO2 terpenes that are refined using CO2 or live extracts of cannabis, the ultimate objective is the same: to protect the essence of the plant. When terpenes are handled with intention and respect, they do more than improve the quality of products. They also carry the cannabis cultivation forward in the most recognizable form.
