As the marijuana industry expands and matures, so does consumer expectations. As the market for cannabis matures consumers are less content with products simply that “work”. Instead they seek authentic flavors and smells of genuine cannabis. Cannabis Terpenes derived from cannabis have become a major component of product development due to the growing demand.
Image credit: massterpenes.com
Why Terpenes define Cannabis identity
Terpenes produce the distinctive aroma and taste of marijuana strains. They influence the perception of a particular product long before its effects are evident. Terpenes, when properly preserved convey freshness, strain ancestry and overall quality. If they are handled badly, even a high-potency product may feel stale or fake.
Real Cannabis terpenes are sourced directly from cannabis flower, capturing the plant’s natural aromatic fingerprint. This is in stark contrast to botanical terpenes, which are made from other sources and try to replicate the cannabis profile. While botanical blends can be inexpensive, they do not provide the depth and layering that experienced consumers associate with true cannabis.
The extraction method determines the outcome
How terpenes have been extracted has a big influence on the final product. Hydrocarbon extraction is usually utilized to create vivid, resin-like scents. This technique is used to protect the delicate compounds that could otherwise be destroyed through drying or high-temperature processing.
CO2 terpenes offer another advantage. Carbon dioxide extraction produces solid, clean parts of terpenes, and allows to control them with precision. CO2 extractions could result in a milder scent than hydrocarbons that are live, but still have a place in the market for purity and consistency, especially when formulas emphasize balance over intensity.
Both methods are equally effective, but each serves a distinct function. Producers who are well-informed make their decision based on the desired outcome, not on marketing trends.
Fresh Material makes a noticeable impact
The quality of cannabis derived Terpenes is determined by harvest. Terpenes by nature are flammable, which means they will degrade rapidly when exposed to heat, oxygen or over a period of time. Freshly frozen material or flowers that have been properly preserved, helps to preserve the original aroma flavor.
After degradation has occurred, no technique of extraction can bring back what is lost. This is why experienced terpene producers focus obsessively on the sourcing process and handling. The distinction between fresh and compromised material is immediately noticeable in smell clarity and in depth.
What should you look for when purchasing Cannabis Terpenes
When looking at Cannabis Terpenes, it is easy to overlook the glitzy descriptions. Transparency however is more important. Buyers need to know where the Terpenes originate from and how they were extracted, and how they are processed following extraction.
Consistency is a key aspect. Cannabis-derived products, especially those that are specific to a particular strain, must possess the same aroma from batch to batch. The presence of large variations can be a sign that the company cares about the quality of its products.
A Focused Approach to Terpene Craft
Some producers attempt to be all things to all people. Certain producers opt to focus on a specific area. Mass Terpenes belongs to the second type, and focuses exclusively on terpenes, instead of focusing attention across multiple products types. This narrow focus allows greater control of the smell, processing and output.
Mass Terpenes places a high emphasis on small-scale production and careful post-processing. This allows the scent to speak for itself. Instead of relying on hype quality, it is to be viewed through aromas and flavors that are unmistakably Cannabis.
Aroma as A Quality Check
A lab report isn’t an alternative to the first time that a cannabis bottle is opened. The scent of premium cannabis-derived Terpenes is instantly noticeable and is a familiar aroma and complexity that are difficult to duplicate in synthetic blends. Aroma remains the truest measure of the success.
As the market for cannabis continues to grow authenticity has become the main differentiator. This is true whether producers choose live-extracted profiles or CO2 refined terpenes. When terpenes are treated with respect and care and care, they are able to do more than simply enhance the product. They can also help to keep the cannabis culture alive in the most well-known form.
