As the cannabis industry matures, expectations around flavor and authenticity continue to rise. As the cannabis market matures consumers are less content with products simply that “work”. Instead, they want authentic flavors and scents of real cannabis. Cannabis derived products are being created to meet this demand.
The Terpenes that Define Cannabis Identity
Terpenes is the substance that gives the distinctive taste and scent of marijuana strains. They impact the perception of a product’s quality before any effects are actually felt. When preserved correctly Terpenes are a source of freshness, strain history, and quality. When handled poorly, even a high-potency product can feel flat or artificial.
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Cannabis Terpenes are extracted directly from the flower of cannabis plants, and they identify the plant’s distinctive scent. This is distinct from botanical terpene blends, which attempt to mimic cannabis profiles using compounds extracted from plants that are not cannabis. While botanical blends are more affordable, they do not have the same depth that cannabis experts believe it has.
The Extraction Method is the Key to the Final Results
The method of extraction of terpenes plays a major role in their final character. Hydrocarbon extraction from fresh or fresh-frozen plants is preferred to capture the vivid, resinous aromas. These techniques are employed to protect the delicate compounds that could otherwise be destroyed due to drying or high temperature processing.
CO2 terpenes offer another advantage. CO2 extraction allows for precise control, and produces solid and clean Terpenes that are stable and clean. The aroma of the profile may be more muted than with live hydrocarbon extractions. But CO2 profiles can provide consistency and purity, particularly in formulations which value balance more than intensity.
Both methods work equally well, however each method has its own purpose. Informed producers make their decisions based on desired result rather than marketing trends.
Fresh Material makes a tangible Difference
The high-quality cannabis-derived terpenes start at harvest. Terpenes, as a matter of fact are unstable, meaning they are prone to degrade when exposed to oxygen, heat or over a period of time. Utilizing fresh frozen material or carefully preserved flowers can help to preserve the original aroma profile.
There is no extraction method that can bring back the value lost once degradation has occurred. This is the reason experienced Terpene producers are focused on the sourcing process and handling. Fresh and compromised material are immediately discernible by their aroma clarity and intensity.
What to be looking for when buying Cannabis Terpenes
When evaluating Cannabis terpenes for sale, flashy descriptions and exaggerated claims are easy to ignore. Transparency however is more important. Buyers should understand where the terpenes came from, how they were extracted and how they are processed after extraction.
Consistency is also an important aspect. True cannabis-derived products must smell exactly the identical from batch-to-batch even if it’s specific to a particular strain. Large variations often indicate unstable source or rush production, both red flags for brands focused on high-quality.
Terpene Craft: a Focused Methodology
Some producers try to be everything at once. Some choose to specialize. Mass Terpenes is in the second class. It concentrates solely on the extraction of terpenes, rather than dividing attention between multiple product types. This focus is more focused and allows for better control of aroma processing, as well as output.
By focusing on small-batch production as well as precise processing, Mass Terpenes emphasizes letting the scent speak for itself. Instead of relying on hype the product’s quality is intended to be felt through scent and flavor that are unmistakably cannabis-like.
Aroma as the Ultimate Quality Check
A lab report is not an alternative to the first time a container of cannabis is opened. The scent of premium cannabis-derived Terpenes is immediately noticeable, and it has a familiarity and complexity that are difficult to replicate in synthetic blends. Aroma is the only real test of success.
Authenticity has become a key factor in differentiating the industry as it continues to develop. Whatever the product is created using CO2 terpenes which have been refined or cured cold, the main aim is to keep the original characteristics of the plant. If terpenes are treated with respect and care they will do more than simply enhance the quality of the product. They also can help to keep the cannabis culture alive in the most well-known form.