As the cannabis market matures, expectations around flavor and authenticity are rising. The customers aren’t content with products which “work” anymore. They want the aromas and tastes that truly represent cannabis. Cannabis derived Terpenes are now a key focus of product development due to the growing demand.
Image credit: massterpenes.com
The Terpenes that Define Cannabis Identity
Terpenes is the chemical responsible for the distinctive smell and taste of marijuana strains. They impact how a particular product is perceived long before effects are experienced. If properly preserved Terpenes convey the freshness of the product, its strain lineage, as well as overall quality. Even high-potency substances treated improperly may make them appear fake.
The real Cannabis terpenes come directly from the flower of cannabis and capture the aroma of the flower. This is distinct from the botanical blends of terpenes which try to mimic cannabis’s characteristics by using substances made from plants other than cannabis. Although botanical blends are economical but the flavor that consumers are used to from cannabis isn’t always available.
Extraction Method Influences the Outcome
Terpenes’ final flavor is determined by the method from which they’re extracted. Hydrocarbon extraction from fresh or frozen plants is preferred for capturing vibrant, resinous scents. These methods are used to keep the delicate substances that would otherwise be destroyed through drying or high-temperature processing.
At the same time, CO2 terpenes offer a different advantage. CO2 extraction allows for precise control, and also produces clean and stable Terpenes that are stable and clean. CO2 extractions can produce a more subdued aroma than live hydrocarbons but remain coveted for their the purity and consistency they provide, especially in formulations that value balance over intensity.
It is not possible to choose between the two. Each serves a purpose that is different and the producers must decide based on their intended outcome instead of marketing trends.
Fresh Material makes a measurable difference
The high-quality cannabis-derived terpenes start when the plants are harvested. Terpenes, by their nature, are volatile, which means they are prone to degrade when exposed to heat, oxygen or over a period of time. The use of fresh frozen materials and carefully preserved flowers helps to keep the original aromatic profiles.
When degradation has occurred and extraction techniques fail, they cannot fully restore the amount of terpenes lost. Terpene producers with experience focus on handling and sourcing obsessively. The scent and clarity of the material will instantly tell you if it is fresh or compromised.
What to look out for when purchasing cannabis Terpenes
You can easily ignore extravagant descriptions or exaggerated claims when looking at Cannabis products available for sale. Transparency is the most important thing. The purchaser must understand the source of the terpenes, their extraction, and the process after extraction.
Consistency is a crucial aspect. True cannabis-derived products must smell the identical from batch to batch particularly if they’re specific to a particular strain. The fact that there are large differences is a sign that the brand cares about the quality of its products.
Terpene Craft: A Focused Method
Some producers try to do everything at once. Some producers choose to specialize. Mass Terpenes is in the second group. It is focused solely on the extraction of terpenes, rather than dividing attention between multiple product types. This specialized focus permits greater control of the smell, processing and output.
Mass Terpenes places a high importance on small batch production, and a careful post-processing. This allows the aroma to speak for the product. Instead of being a product that is hyped The quality is designed to be felt by tasting and smelling that are unmistakably cannabis-like.
Aroma is the Ultimate Quality Check
No lab report replaces the moment a bottle is opened. The complexity and acquaintance with cannabis-derived terpenes are immediately apparent and can’t be duplicated by artificial blends. Aroma is the only real measurement of quality.
As the industry grows, authenticity is becoming the main factor. Whatever the product is created using CO2 terpenes that are refined or cold-cured, the final objective is to preserve the original flavor of the plant. If terpenes are handled with care and consideration, they do more than improve the quality of products. They also carry cannabis culture forward in its most recognizable shape.