As the market for cannabis develops, expectations regarding authenticity and flavor continue to rise. Customers are no longer content with products that only “work.” They are looking for experiences that are true to the plant aromas that evoke recognition, and tastes that reflect real cannabis, not just imitations. This growing demand has placed Cannabis derived terpenes at the center of serious product development conversations.
Image credit: massterpenes.com
What are the Terpenes that define Cannabis identity?
Terpenes produce the distinctive smell and flavor of cannabis strains. They influence the way a product’s perceived quality before any effects are experienced. If they are properly preserved, terpenes convey freshness, strain heritage and also quality. Even the most potent of products could be artificial or spongy if not handled correctly.
Cannabis Terpenes are extracted direct from the flower of cannabis plants. they are able to capture the unique scent. This is fundamentally a different approach to botanical terpene mixes, which mimic cannabis profiles by combining compounds from other plants than cannabis. Blends of botanicals can be more cost-effective but they don’t have the same depth as true cannabis.
The extraction method determines the outcome
How the terpenes were extracted will have a major influence on the final product. The extraction of hydrocarbons from fresh or frozen plants is preferred for capturing vivid, resinous aromas. This technique is used to protect the delicate compounds that would otherwise be destroyed due to drying or high temperature processing.
At the same time CO2 terpenes have a different advantage. CO2 extraction permits precise control and produces pure, stable terpene fragments. The aroma of the resulting profile may be more muted as compared to hydrocarbon extractions that are live. But CO2 profiles can provide the sameness and purity, especially when it comes to formulations that value balance more than intensity.
A producer should choose their method based not on the latest trends, but rather on what they would like to achieve.
Fresh Material makes a measurable impact
The quality of cannabis-derived terpenes starts at harvest. Terpenes break down quickly when exposed to oxygen, heat or time. By using fresh, frozen flowers or other material that has been properly preserved, you will be able to preserve the original aroma.
Once degradation has taken place the extraction method won’t be able to recover all that was lost. This is why seasoned Terpene producers are focused on sourcing and handling. Aroma clarity and depth are instantly different between fresh material and compromised material.
What to Look out for when buying Cannabis Terpenes
It’s easy to ignore flashy claims and descriptions when evaluating Cannabis Terpenes. Transparency is the most important thing. The buyer should be able to understand the source of the Terpenes, the extraction process, and the process after extraction.
Consistency plays a significant part. True cannabis-derived products must smell exactly the identical from batch-to-batch, even when it is specific to a particular strain. If there are significant differences this could be a sign of insecure sourcing and rush production. Both are warning signs for brands that care about quality.
A Focused Methodology for Terpene Craft
Some producers attempt to be all things to all people. Some producers choose to specialize. Mass Terpenes is in the second category. It is focused solely on the extraction of terpenes rather than dispersing attention between multiple product types. Terpenes are the focus, which gives more control of the end product, the aroma, and the processing.
Mass Terpenes places a high priority on small batch production, and a careful post-processing. This enables the flavor to speak for itself. Instead of relying on hype, the quality is to be viewed through aromas and tastes that are distinctively cannabis-based.
Aroma as the Ultimate Quality Check
Lab reports are not a substitute for the first time a container of cannabis is opened. The highest-quality cannabis-derived terpenes are revealed immediately, with sophistication and a familiarity that synthetic blends are unable to meet. The aroma is the best indicator of success.
The new standard for authenticity is authenticity. It’s the most important thing in the business. Whatever the producer decides to use CO2 terpenes that are refined from CO2 or live extracted profiles of cannabis, the final objective is the same: to protect the original character of the plant. When cannabis and terpenes are treated with care and respect they do more that enhance the quality of products. They bring the cannabis culture forward in its most recognizable forms.
