As the cannabis industry develops consumer expectations regarding authenticity and flavor are growing. As the market for cannabis matures consumers are less satisfied with products simply that “work”. Instead, they want authentic flavors and aromas of real cannabis. Cannabis derived terpenes now form the core of serious discussions about products.
Image credit: massterpenes.com
Why Terpenes Define Cannabis Identity
Terpenes provide the unique aroma and flavor of cannabis strains. They can affect perceptions of a cannabis product before effects even occur. When properly stored, terpenes have the ability to convey freshness, as well as strain lineage and overall quality. When handled poorly even a product with a high potency may be a bit spongy or synthetic.
Cannabis flower is the source of the real Cannabis Terpenes that capture the natural aroma of the plant. It is a fundamentally different product than botanical terpenes mixes which attempt to replicate the characteristics of cannabis using compounds extracted non-cannabis plant. Although botanical blends are economical, the depth of flavor that consumers expect from true cannabis isn’t always there.
The Extraction Method determines the Outcome
How the terpenes were extracted can have a significant impact on the final product. Hydrocarbon extraction is often preferred for capturing vivid, resin-like scents. These methods help preserve fragile compounds that easily disappear in drying or high-heat processing.
At the same time, CO2 terpenes offer a different advantage. Carbon dioxide extraction provides exact control and results in pure, stable terpene fragments. CO2 extractions can result in a milder aroma than live hydrocarbons but still have a place in the market for the purity and consistency they provide, especially in formulations that emphasize the balance of intensity over intensity.
Producers must choose their approach based on not the latest trends, but rather on what they want.
Fresh Material is Measurable
The quality of cannabis-derived terpenes starts at harvest. Terpenes break down quickly when exposed to heat, oxygen or prolonged time. The use of fresh frozen materials and well-preserved flowers help to preserve the original aroma profiles.
Once degradation has taken place the extraction method won’t be able to restore all of the lost. The terpene industry is very focused on the source of raw materials and their handling. The clarity and intensity of the aroma are immediately different between fresh and damaged material.
What to look for when purchasing Cannabis Terpenes
Flashy descriptions and exaggerated statements can be ignored when evaluating Cannabis Terpenes. More important is the transparency. Buyers must understand how terpenes are extracted and from where they are sourced and how they will be processed.
Consistency plays a key role. A truly cannabis-based product will smell the identical from batch-to-batch even if it’s specific to a particular strain. The fact that there are large differences is a sign that the company is concerned about the quality of its products.
A Specified Methodology for Terpene Craft
Certain producers are all-rounders. Others opt for specialization. Mass Terpenes is in the second group. It is focused solely on terpenes extraction, rather than dispersing attention between various types of products. This narrow focus permits more control over the flavor, output, as well as processing.
By prioritizing small-batch production and meticulous processing, Mass Terpenes emphasizes letting the flavor speak for itself. The quality should be felt immediately, not via media hype.
Aroma: The Ultimate Quality Check
The lab report will never substitute the moment when a container is open. Terpenes that are high-quality and derived from cannabis announce themselves immediately, displaying the complexity and familiarity that even artificial blends are unable to compete with. Aroma is the most reliable way to judge success.
As the cannabis market develops in the future, authenticity is the main distinguishing factor. The same goal applies whether producers choose live-extracted profiles or CO2 refined terpenes. Terpenes, when treated with respect and intention are more than just improving products. They also help carry the cannabis tradition forward.
