As the market for cannabis matures, as do expectations for taste and authenticity. Consumers are no longer looking for products that only “work”. They are looking for flavors from the plant that make them recognize the plant and its flavors that reflect real 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 create the distinctive smell and flavor of marijuana strains. They affect how a product is perceived even before it is experienced. If properly preserved, terpenes communicate freshness, strain lineage and overall quality. Even products with high potency that are treated improperly may make them feel artificial.
The real Cannabis Terpenes originate from the cannabis flower and preserve the aroma of the flower. It’s a completely different product than botanical terpenes mixes that attempt to mimic the characteristics of cannabis using compounds that are extracted from plants other than cannabis. Although botanical blends are cost-effective, they rarely deliver the layered depth that experienced consumers associate with true cannabis.
The extraction method affects the result
The method of extraction of terpenes has a huge impact on the final character. Hydrocarbons are extracted from plant matter that is either frozen or fresh and this technique captures the vibrant flavors of live resin. These methods conserve fragile substances that are easily destroyed during drying or heat processing.
The CO2 terpenes have a different advantage. Carbon dioxide extraction permits precise control, and also produces clean and stable Terpenes that are stable and clean. CO2 extractions may result in a milder scent than hydrocarbons that are live, but are still valued for purity and consistency, especially in formulations that value the balance of intensity over intensity.
It’s impossible to choose between the two. Each serves a different purpose and the producers must decide based on their desired outcome, not market trends.
Fresh Material makes a noticeable change
After harvest, the quality of cannabis-derived substances begins to be determined. Terpenes are volatile and degrade when exposed the elements of heat, oxygen or over time. By using fresh flowers, frozen or a material that has been carefully preserved, you can lock in your original aroma.
Once degradation has taken place the extraction method won’t be able restore everything of the lost. This is why experienced producers of terpenes are enthralled by sourcing and processing. The contrast between a fresh and compromised product can be immediately felt in smell clarity and in depth.
What to Look for When Buying Cannabis Terpenes
When evaluating Cannabis Terpenes on sale the flashy descriptions and over-inflated claims are simple to ignore. Transparency is the most important thing. Buyers should be aware of where the terpenes came from, the method of extraction and the products they’re transformed into after extraction.
Consistency plays a significant role. The cannabis-derived products, specifically the those that are specific to a particular strain, must possess the same smell from batch-to-batch. Wide variations are usually an indication of brands who care about the quality of their products.
Terpene Craft: a Focused Methodology
Others opt to focus. Others opt to focus on a specific area. Mass Terpenes falls into the second category, focusing exclusively on terpene extraction rather than spreading attention across multiple product types. This narrow focus gives more control of aromas as well as the process and final product.
Mass Terpenes’ small batch production and careful post-processing underscores the importance of letting the aromas be the main focus. Instead of relying heavily on hype, Massterpenes wants to let the aroma speak for it’s own voice.
Aroma as a Quality Check
The lab report will never substitute the moment when an open container has been opened. The complexity and familiarity of cannabis-derived Terpenes are immediately apparent and can’t be duplicated by artificial blends. Aroma is the most reliable measurement of success.
As the market grows, authenticity is becoming the main factor. No matter if a producer opts for CO2 terpenes refined using CO2 or live extracts of cannabis, the ultimate goal remains the same: to preserve the essence of the plant. When terpenes have been treated with respect and care they will do more than enhance the product. They can also assist to carry forward cannabis culture in its most recognizable format.