As the cannabis market matures, consumer expectations regarding flavor and authentic are increasing. Customers are not satisfied with products that “work” no longer. They want to experience aromas and flavors that truly are a reflection of 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 provide the unique aroma and flavor of marijuana strains. They can alter the perception of a product from cannabis before effects even occur. If properly preserved, terpenes communicate freshness, strain lineage and overall quality. If they are handled poorly even products with high potency can seem artificial or spongy.
Cannabis Terpenes are extracted directly from the flowers of cannabis plants. They they capture the plant’s unique aroma. This is fundamentally unlike botanical terpenes that are extracted from non-cannabis sources, and attempt to replicate the cannabis profile. While botanical blends might be less expensive, they don’t provide the same level of depth that cannabis experts associate with it.
The extraction method influences the outcome
The method of extraction of terpenes plays a major role in the final character. The extraction of hydrocarbons from fresh or fresh-frozen plants is preferred to capture vivid, resinous aromas. These methods preserve delicate substances that are easily destroyed when drying or heat processing.
At the same time, CO2 terpenes offer a different advantage. Carbon dioxide extraction is precise and yields stable, clean terpene fractions. Although the aroma is less in intensity than those of live hydrocarbons CO2 profiles are valued for their consistency and purity. This is particularly true in formulations where balance is more important than intensity.
There is no way to say that one method is “better.” Each serves distinct purposes, and informed producers choose based on their desired outcome rather than based on marketing trends.
Fresh Material Could Make an observable difference
The quality of cannabis derived Terpenes are determined by the harvest. Terpenes can be volatile and quickly degrade if brought into contact with oxygen temperature, time, or other elements. The original aroma is best preserved with freshly frozen material or flowers which are properly preserved.
Once degradation has taken place and extraction techniques have failed, no method will be able to recover all that was lost. This is why experienced producers of terpenes are extremely focused on the sourcing process and handling. The difference between a fresh and compromised product is immediately noticeable in smell clarity and in depth.
What to look out for when buying Cannabis Terpenes
The exaggerated and flamboyant descriptions are easy to ignore when looking at Cannabis Terpenes. Transparency, however, is more important. The buyer should be able to understand the sources of terpenes, their extraction, and the process after extraction.
Consistency also plays an important role. True cannabis-derived products should smell the exact identical from batch-to-batch even if it’s strain-specific. Large variations are often a red flag for brands who are concerned about quality.
Terpene Craft: A Focused Approach
Some producers attempt to be all things at one time. Others opt to focus on a specific area. Mass Terpenes fits into the second category, since it is focused on terpenes in particular instead of spreading attention across different types of products. This focus on terpene extraction allows for more control over aroma processing, and final output.
Mass Terpenes prioritizes small-batch manufacturing and post-processing that lets the scent speak for itself. Instead of relying on a marketing campaign Quality is to be felt directly through scent and flavor that is unmistakably marijuana.
Aroma is the Ultimate Quality Check
No lab report replaces the moment a bottle is opened. The scent of premium cannabis-derived Terpenes is evident immediately, and is a familiar aroma and complexity that are difficult to duplicate in synthetic blends. The aroma is the main gauge of a successful blend.
As the cannabis industry evolves and becomes more authentic, it is the primary distinguishing factor. It doesn’t matter if a product is made with CO2 terpenes which have been refined or cured cold, the main aim is to keep the original flavor of the plant. When terpenes are utilized with intent and care, they are more than just a means to enhance products. They actually aid in carrying cannabis’s cultivation forward.