As the cannabis market grows, expectations of consumers regarding authenticity and flavor are increasing. The customers aren’t content with products which “work” any longer. They want to experience aromas and flavors that truly reflect the cannabis. This growing demand has placed Cannabis derived terpenes at the center of serious product development conversations.
Image credit: massterpenes.com
The Terpenes that Define Cannabis Identity
Terpenes, which are the aromatic compounds which give cannabis its distinctive smell and taste, are responsible for this. They influence the perception of a product’s cannabis aroma before effects even occur. If properly preserved, terpenes are able to communicate freshness as well as strain lineage and overall quality. Even products with high potency that are treated improperly may make them appear fake.
The real Cannabis Terpenes originate from the flower of cannabis and capture the aroma of the flower. This is fundamentally different from botanical terpene mixtures, that attempt to replicate cannabis’s characteristics using compounds derived from non-cannabis cannabis plants. Although botanical blends are cost-effective, they rarely deliver the layered depth that experienced customers associate with genuine cannabis.
The Extraction Method is the Key to the Final Results
The way terpenes are extracted plays a major role in their final character. Hydrocarbons are extracted from plant material that is either fresh or frozen, and this process can capture the vibrant aromas of a live resin. These methods are used to protect the delicate compounds that would otherwise be destroyed through drying or high-temperature processing.
CO2 Terpenes offer an advantage that is distinct. CO2 terpene extraction gives precise control and safe and stable terpene fragments. The aroma that results is less pronounced than live hydrocarbon extractions, but CO2 extracted profiles are appreciated for consistency and purity especially when it comes to formulations that require balance more than intensity.
Producers must choose their approach based on not trends, but rather on the result they would like to achieve.
The distinction between the old and new materials is measurable
The high-quality cannabis-derived terpenes start at harvest. Terpenes are volatile by nature which means they break down quickly when exposed to heat, oxygen or prolonged time. The use of fresh frozen materials and well-preserved flowers help to keep the original aroma profiles.
Once degradation occurs and the process is not able to recover fully what has been lost. This is why experienced producers of terpenes are extremely focused on sourcing and handling. The aroma and the clarity of the material will tell you whether it is fresh or deteriorated.
What to look out for when purchasing cannabis Terpenes
When evaluating Cannabis terpenes for sale, flashy descriptions and exaggerated claims are easy to dismiss. Transparency however is of greater importance. Buyers must understand the process of extraction of terpenes and from where they are sourced and how they will be processed.
Consistency is another important element. True cannabis-derived products should smell exactly the same from batch to particularly if they’re a specific strain. Wide variations could signal unstable source of production, or the rush to produce. Both of these are warning signs for quality-focused brands.
Terpene Craft: A Focused Approach
Certain producers are multi-faceted. Others prefer to concentrate on one thing. Mass Terpenes falls into the second group, which focuses exclusively on the extraction of terpenes rather than expanding their focus to other kinds of products. This narrow focus allows greater control over the aroma, processing and output.
Mass Terpenes prioritizes small-batch manufacturing and post-processing that lets the aroma speak for itself. Instead of relying upon advertising the quality must be felt through the smells and flavors that are distinct Cannabis-like.
Aroma as the Ultimate Quality Check
A lab report is not an equivalent to the first time that a cannabis bottle is opened. Terpenes that are high-quality and derived from cannabis reveal their true nature immediately, with the complexity and familiarity that artificial blends aren’t able to match. Aroma is still the most authentic indicator of the success.
The cannabis industry grows and expand, authenticity has become the main distinctive feature. This is true whether producers choose live-extracted profiles or CO2 refined terpenes. Terpenes, when handled with respect and intention, do more than improve the quality of products. They also bring the cannabis tradition forward.
