As the cannabis sector matures, consumer expectations regarding flavor and authentic are increasing. The customers aren’t content with products that “work” any longer. They want to experience scents and flavors that reflect the cannabis. This growing demand has placed Cannabis derived terpenes at the center of serious product development conversations.
Image credit: massterpenes.com
Terpenes comprise the primary ingredients of cannabis’s identity.
Terpenes are the aromatic compounds responsible for the distinct smell and flavor of marijuana strains. They influence how a product is perceived even before the effects can be experienced. When properly stored Terpenes signal freshness, strain lineage as well as overall quality. Even high-potency products that are treated improperly may make them appear fake.
Cannabis flower terpenes are a way to capture the aroma of the plant. This is a distinct distinction from the botanical blends of terpenes which attempt to imitate cannabis’s characteristics by using substances that are not derived from cannabis plants. The botanical blends are efficient in terms of cost, but they do not have the same depth as true cannabis.
The extraction method determines the outcome
The method of extraction used to extract terpenes has a significant impact on their final character. Hydrocarbons obtained from fresh or newly-frozen plant materials are typically used to capture vibrant, resinous-like scents. These methods preserve delicate compounds that can be easily lost during drying or heat processing.
CO2 Terpenes offer the advantage of being able to extract CO2. Carbon dioxide terpene extraction offers exact control and solid and clean terpene fragments. The resulting aroma may be more solitary than extracting live hydrocarbons, however CO2 derived profiles are valued for their consistency and purity, particularly in formulations where balance is important more than intensity.
Producers must choose their method not based on trends, but rather on the result they want.
Fresh Material makes a measurable impact
The quality of Terpenes derived from cannabis begins when they are harvested. Terpenes, by their nature are flammable, which means they are prone to degrade when exposed to oxygen, heat or over a period of time. The original scent is best preserved using freshly frozen material or flowers which have been properly preserved.
No extraction method can be used to restore the value that has been lost after degradation is observed. This is why seasoned Terpene producers are focused on the sourcing process and handling. The scent and clarity of the product will instantly tell you if it is fresh or deteriorated.
What to be looking for when purchasing Cannabis Terpenes
In evaluating Cannabis Terpenes it’s easy to overlook the glitzy descriptions. What matters more is transparency. The purchaser must understand the source of the Terpenes, their extraction and the process after extraction.
Consistency is a crucial aspect. The aroma of cannabis-derived products must be consistent from batch to batch. This is particularly true when the varieties are different. If there are large differences, it could indicate unstable sourcing and rushed production. Both are warnings for companies that are concerned about quality.
Terpene Craft: A Focused Approach
Some producers try to be all things at once. Others opt for specialization. Mass Terpenes, which focuses only on terpenes, rather than being concerned with multiple product categories, falls under the second group. The narrow focus allows for better control of the flavor, output, as well as processing.
Mass Terpenes places a high emphasis on small-scale production and careful post-processing. This allows the aroma to speak for the product. Instead of relying heavily on hype, Massterpenes wants to let the aroma speak for it’s own voice.
Aroma: The Ultimate Quality Check
A lab report isn’t an alternative to the first time a cannabis container is opened. High-quality cannabis derived terpenes reveal their true nature immediately, with the complexity and familiarity that synthetic blends cannot compete with. Aroma is the most reliable measure of success.
Genuineness has been a crucial aspect in separating the business as it continues to evolve. This same principle applies whether producers choose live-extracted profiles or CO2 refined Terpenes. Terpenes, when handled with respect and intention are more than just improving the quality of products. They also bring the cannabis culture forward.