As the cannabis industry develops consumer expectations regarding authenticity and taste are rising. Customers are not satisfied with products which “work” anymore. They want the aromas and tastes that truly are a reflection of the cannabis. Cannabis derived Terpenes have become the main area of research and development because of the increasing demand.
Terpenes comprise the primary components of cannabis identity
Terpenes produce the distinctive smell and flavor of marijuana strains. They influence how a product is perceived before effects are felt. If properly preserved Terpenes can convey freshness, strain heritage and also quality. When handled poorly even the most potent product may feel stale or fake.
Image credit: massterpenes.com
Cannabis terpenes are extracted directly from the flower of cannabis plants. They they are able to capture the unique aroma. This is a distinct distinction from botanical terpene blends, which attempt to mimic cannabis profiles using compounds extracted from non-cannabis plants. Botanical blends may be more economical, but they don’t offer the same amount of depth as real cannabis.
The Extraction Method is the Key to the Final Results
The method of extraction of terpenes is essential to their final characteristics. Hydrocarbon extraction from fresh or frozen plant material is usually popular for its ability to create vivid, live-resin-like aromas. These methods conserve fragile compounds which are easily lost when drying or heat processing.
CO2 Terpenes can also be an excellent alternative. Carbon dioxide extraction produces clean, stable parts of terpenes, and allows the precise control. The flavor of the profile may be more muted when compared to live hydrocarbon extractions. However, CO2 profiles provide the sameness and purity, especially in formulations which value balance more than intensity.
It’s impossible to choose between the two. Each method serves a different purpose, and producers should make a decision based upon their desired outcome, not marketing trends.
Fresh Material is measurable
The quality of Cannabis-derived terpenes begins at harvest. Terpenes have a volatile nature and are degraded when exposed to either to heat, oxygen or time. Use of fresh frozen material and properly preserved flowers can help to preserve the original aroma profiles.
After degradation it is impossible to completely recover what was lost. The terpene industry is very concentrated on the source of raw materials and the handling of them. The difference in aroma clarity in depth, complexity and intensity between fresh and compromised materials is immediately apparent.
What to look out for when purchasing cannabis Terpenes
When looking at Cannabis Terpenes, it’s easy to ignore the glitzy descriptions. Transparency matters more. Buyers should understand where the Terpenes come from, how they were extracted, and how they are treated following extraction.
Consistency, too, is an important aspect. It is important that the smell of cannabis-derived products is exactly the same, regardless of the size of the batch. The presence of large variations indicates that the company is concerned about the quality of its products.
A Specific Approach to Terpene Craft
Some producers attempt to be all things to all people. Some producers decide to concentrate on one thing. Mass Terpenes belongs to the second class, and concentrates only on terpenes instead of having a focus on multiple product kinds. The focus on terpenes gives more control of the end product, aroma and processing.
By focusing on small-batch production as well as meticulous processing, Mass Terpenes emphasizes letting the aroma speak for itself. Instead of relying on the hype, quality is meant be perceived directly through smell and taste that are unmistakably marijuana.
Aroma as the Ultimate Quality Check
It is impossible to replace when a bottle is opened. Terpenes that are high-quality and derived from cannabis reveal their true nature immediately, with an array of complexity and familiarity that artificial blends aren’t able to match. Aroma is the most reliable measure of success.
The authenticity of a product has become a major factor in differentiating the industry as it continues to develop. The same goal applies to producers who choose live extracted profiles or CO2 refined terpenes. If cannabis and terpenes are treated with intention and respect, they can do more to enhance the quality of products. They bring the cannabis culture forward in its most recognizable forms.
