As the market for cannabis matures, expectations around flavor and authenticity increase. The customer is not satisfied with products that “work”. They want authentic experiences that reflect the plant, smells that make them feel familiar and taste that reflects the actual cannabis. Cannabis derived products are being developed to meet the demand.
Image credit: massterpenes.com
Why Terpenes Define Cannabis Identity
Terpenes produce the distinctive aroma and taste of marijuana strains. They influence how a product is perceived before effects are felt. If they are properly preserved, terpenes convey freshness, strain heritage and also quality. Even products with high potency that are mishandled can cause them to feel artificial.
Real Cannabis terpenes are sourced directly from cannabis flower, capturing the plant’s natural aromatic fingerprint. This is an entirely different method from the botanical terpene blends, which mimic cannabis profiles using compounds derived from other plants than cannabis. Blends of botanicals can be more economical, but they don’t offer the same amount of depth as real cannabis.
The extraction method determines the outcome
The method of extraction of terpenes is essential to their final characteristics. Hydrocarbon extraction using fresh or freshly frozen plant material is usually favored for capturing vivid, live-resin-like aromas. These methods protect substances that are easily destroyed in high-temperature processes or drying.
CO2 Terpenes possess the advantage of being able to extract CO2. Carbon dioxide extraction permits exact control and creates clean and stable Terpenes that are stable and clean. While the smell is less strong than the aroma of living hydrocarbons, CO2 profiles are highly appreciated for their purity and consistency. This is especially true in formulations when balance is more crucial than intensity.
Both methods work equally well, however each has a specific function. A knowledgeable producer makes their decision based on the desired outcome, not on marketing trends.
Fresh Material Can Make a measurable Difference
At harvest the quality of cannabis-derived substances is determined. Terpenes are volatile by nature which means they break down quickly when exposed to oxygen, heat or even time. Freshly frozen materials, or flower that has been properly preserved, can help lock in the original scent character.
No extraction method can bring back the value lost once the degrading has occurred. For this reason, experienced producers of terpenes are obsessed with finding and processing. The scent and the clarity of the substance will immediately tell you whether it is fresh or deteriorated.
What to Look for when buying Cannabis Terpenes
When looking at Cannabis Terpenes, it is easy to overlook flashy descriptions. Transparency is the most important thing. Buyers must be aware of where the terpenes came from, how they’re extracted and processed into after extraction.
Consistency is yet another important aspect. The aroma of cannabis-derived products must be uniform from batch to. This is particularly important when the strains are different. Large variations often indicate unstable sources or production that is rushed, which are both red flags for companies who are focused on high-quality.
Terpene Craft: A Focused Method
Some producers try to be all things at once. Others opt for specialization. Mass Terpenes belongs to the second class, and concentrates exclusively on terpenes, instead of having a focus on multiple product types. Terpenes are the focus, which allows for more control of the end product’s aroma and processing.
Mass Terpenes places a high emphasis on small-scale production, and a careful post-processing. This enables the flavor to speak for the product. Instead of relying heavily on hype, Massterpenes wants to let the aroma speak for itself.
Aroma: The Ultimate Quality Check
It’s impossible to replace when a bottle has been opened. Terpenes that are high-quality and derived from cannabis reveal themselves immediately, revealing a complexity and familiarity which synthetic blends cannot beat. Aroma is the most reliable measure of success.
Genuineness has been a crucial aspect in separating the market as it continues to evolve. No matter whether a product is produced using CO2 terpenes, which are refined or cold-cured, the final objective is to preserve the original flavor of the plant. When terpenes used with intention and vigilance, they’re more than just a means to enhance products. They actually help carry cannabis’ culture forward.
