As the cannabis industry matures, expectations around authenticity and flavor increase. Consumers aren’t satisfied with products that “work” any longer. They want the aromas and tastes that truly represent the cannabis. Cannabis derivative products are being developed to satisfy the demand.
Image credit: massterpenes.com
What are Terpenes and How Do They Define Cannabis Identity
Terpenes are the aromatic compounds responsible for the distinct smell and taste of cannabis strains. They affect how a product is perceived prior to any effects can be felt. When preserved correctly Terpenes can convey freshness, strain heritage, and also quality. Even products with high potency that are treated improperly may make them appear artificial.
Real Cannabis terpenes are sourced directly from cannabis flower, capturing the plant’s natural aromatic fingerprint. This is a distinct distinction from botanical terpene blends which attempt to imitate the cannabis profile using substances extracted from plants that are not cannabis. While botanical blends can be cost-effective however, the flavor depth that people expect from real cannabis is not always present.
The Extraction Method is the Key to the Final Results
The method used to extract Terpenes plays a huge role on their final characteristics. Hydrocarbons extracted from fresh or freshly-frozen plant materials are typically utilized to produce vibrant, resinous-like scents. This technique is used to keep the delicate substances that could otherwise be destroyed through drying or high-temperature processing.
CO2 terpenes provide another benefit. CO2 extraction allows for exact control and creates solid and clean terpenes. The aroma of the resulting profile might be less intense when compared to live hydrocarbon extractions. But CO2 profiles offer consistency and purity, particularly in formulations which value balance more than intensity.
Producers should select their approach based on not trends, but rather on the result they want.
Fresh Material can make a tangible impact
Quality cannabis-derived Terpenes starts when they are harvested. Terpenes degrade quickly if exposed to heat, oxygen or prolonged time. Fresh frozen material, or a flower that has been properly preserved, helps to preserve the original aroma character.
After degradation has occurred and the process of extraction ceases, there is no way that will be able to restore what has been lost. The industry of terpenes is focused on the source of raw materials and the handling of them. The clarity and intensity of the aroma are immediately different between fresh and damaged material.
What to look for when purchasing Cannabis Terpenes
Flashy descriptions and exaggerated statements can be ignored when evaluating Cannabis terpenes. The most important factor is transparency. Buyers must know where terpenes came from the source, the method of extraction, and how they are treated following extraction.
Consistency is another important aspect. It is important that the smell of cannabis-derived products is the same, regardless of the size of the batch. If there is a lot of difference in smell, it could be an indication of unsteady sourcing or rushed production. Both of these are warnings for companies who care about quality.
Terpene Craft: A Focused Method
Some producers try and be all things at once. Others choose specialization. Mass Terpenes, which focuses solely on terpenes rather than dealing with various product categories, falls under the second category. This focus is more focused and allows for better control of the smell processing, output and extraction.
By focusing on small-batch production as well as precise post-processing, Mass Terpenes emphasizes letting the scent be the main focus. Instead of relying upon hype the quality must be felt through the smells and tastes that are distinctively Cannabis.
Aroma: The Ultimate Quality Check
The lab report is not replaced the moment a bottle is opened. The highest-quality cannabis derived terpenes show themselves instantly, with a complexity and familiarity which artificial blends can’t compete with. Aroma is still the best indicator of success.
The cannabis industry grows and expand, authenticity has emerged as the key distinctive feature. Whatever the producer opts for CO2 terpenes that are refined from CO2 or live extracted profiles of cannabis, the final goal remains the same: to maintain the natural character of the plant. If terpenes are handled with care and respect they will do more than just enhance the quality of the product. They also can help to carry forward cannabis culture in the most well-known form.