As the market for cannabis matures, so do expectations for flavor and authenticity. As the market for cannabis matures consumers are less content with products that simply “work”. Instead they seek authentic flavors and scents of real cannabis. Cannabis derivative products are being developed to meet this need.
Image credit: massterpenes.com
What are the Terpenes that define Cannabis identity?
Terpenes is an aromatic substance that gives the distinctive aroma and taste of marijuana strains. They can influence the impression of a particular product long before the effects can be felt. When properly preserved, terpenes can convey freshness, strain ancestry and overall product quality. Even high-potency products that are mishandled can cause them to feel artificial.
Real Cannabis terpenes are sourced directly from cannabis flower, capturing the plant’s natural aromatic fingerprint. This is a distinct difference from botanical terpenes which are derived from other sources and try to mimic cannabis profiles. While botanical blends can be inexpensive, they do not provide the level of depth and depth customers associate with genuine cannabis.
The Extraction Method Determines the Outcome
The extraction method of terpenes has a significant impact on their final flavor. The extraction of hydrocarbons from fresh or frozen plants is a preferred method to extract vibrant, resinous scents. This technique is used to protect the delicate compounds that would otherwise be destroyed by drying or high heat processing.
CO2 terpenes, however, have a different advantage. Carbon dioxide extraction permits exact control and creates pure and stable terpenes. The flavor of the profile could be less pronounced than with live hydrocarbon extractions. But CO2 profiles can provide quality and consistency, particularly when formulas are based on balance over intensity.
Both are equally effective, but each serves a distinct purpose. Informed producers make their decisions based on desired result rather than marketing trends.
Fresh Material Could Make a measurable difference
The quality of the cannabis-derived terpenes begin when they are harvested. Terpenes can be volatile and quickly degrade if brought into contact with oxygen temperature, time, or other elements. Fresh frozen material, or a flower that has been preserved with care helps to preserve the original scent character.
Once degradation takes place, no technique of extraction can bring back what is lost. This is why it is that terpene makers who have experience are meticulous about their source and handling. The difference between fresh and compromised material is immediately noticeable in aroma clarity and depth.
What to Look for When purchasing Cannabis Terpenes
It’s easy to overlook exaggerated claims and descriptions when evaluating Cannabis Terpenes. Transparency is more important. Buyers need to know the process of extraction of terpenes and where they originate from and how they will be processed.
Consistency is a key aspect. It is crucial that cannabis-derived items smell identical, irrespective of size. If there are significant differences this could be a sign of insecure sourcing and rush production. Both of these are warnings for companies that care about quality.
Terpene Craft: a Focused Approach
Some producers try to be all things to all people. Others opt to focus on a specific area. Mass Terpenes is in the second class. It focuses exclusively on the extraction of terpenes, rather than dispersing attention between different types of products. This focus on terpene extraction allows for more control over aromas, processing, and the final product.
Mass Terpenes prioritizes small-batch manufacturing and post-processing, letting the aroma speak for it. Instead of being a product that is hyped, the quality is meant to be felt directly by the smell and taste that are distinct cannabis.
Aroma as the Ultimate Quality Check
A lab report is not a substitute for the first time a cannabis container is opened. High-quality cannabis derived terpenes reveal themselves instantly, with a complexity and familiarity which artificial blends aren’t able to beat. Aroma is the best way to judge success.
Authenticity has become a key aspect in separating the market as it continues to evolve. Whether a producer chooses live-extracted profiles, cold-cured versions or CO2 terpenes that are refined The goal remains the same: keep the original character of the plant. Terpenes, when handled with respect and intention are more than just improving products. They also carry the cannabis culture forward.