As the marijuana market develops and expands as do expectations of consumers. Consumers are no longer looking for products that just “work”. They are looking for flavors from the plant that make them recognize the plant and its flavors that reflect authentic cannabis. Cannabis derived products are being developed to satisfy the demand.
Terpenes are among the most important elements of the cannabis identity
Terpenes are the source of the distinct aroma and taste of cannabis strains. They influence how a product is perceived before it is felt. If properly preserved Terpenes convey the freshness of the product, its strain lineage, and overall quality. Even a highly potent product may become fake or flat if it is handled incorrectly.
Image credit: massterpenes.com
Cannabis flower is the source of the real Cannabis Terpenes that capture the plant’s natural aromatic fingerprint. This is a distinct difference from botanical terpenes, which are made from non-cannabis sources, and attempt to replicate the cannabis profile. While botanical blends are cheaper, they do not have the same depth that cannabis experts associate with it.
Extraction Method Shapes the Outcome
The method used to extract Terpenes plays a huge role on their final characteristics. Hydrocarbons taken from fresh or recently frozen plant material are commonly used to capture vibrant, resinous-like scents. These methods protect fragile compounds, which can easily lose their luster in high-heat drying processes.
CO2 Terpenes possess an advantage that is distinct. CO2 extraction is highly precise and produces solid, clean terpene fractions. The aroma produced may be less pronounced than hydrocarbon extractions. However, CO2-derived profiles have a higher value for consistency and purity in formulations.
There is no way to say that one method is “better.” Each serves distinct purposes and producers who are well-informed make their choice based on their desired outcome rather than based on marketing trends.
Fresh Material Can Make a measurable difference
At harvest the quality of cannabis-derived compounds begins to be determined. Terpenes are volatile, and can quickly degrade if brought into contact with oxygen heat or time factors. Using fresh frozen material or carefully preserved flowers helps keep the aroma in its original profile.
When degradation occurs the extraction method won’t be able to recover all of the lost. The terpene industry is very focused on the source of raw materials and the handling of them. The distinction between the fresh and the compromised material can be immediately felt in scent clarity and intensity.
What to look out for when buying cannabis Terpenes
When evaluating Cannabis terpenes for sale, flashy descriptions and exaggerated claims are easy to ignore. Transparency is of greater importance. Buyers must know how terpenes were extracted and processed.
Consistency is yet another important aspect. Cannabis-derived products, particularly specific strains, must have the same scent from batch to batch. If there are significant differences this could be an indication of insecure sourcing and rush production. Both of these are red flags to brands that care about quality.
Terpene Craft: A Focused method
Some producers try to do all things at once. Others opt for specialization. Mass Terpenes is in the second class. It is focused solely on terpenes extraction, rather than dividing attention between different types of products. This focus on terpene extraction allows for greater control of aromas as well as the process and final product.
Mass Terpenes prioritizes small-batch manufacturing and post-processing to let the aroma speak for itself. Instead of relying on marketing, the quality must be felt through the smells and tastes that are distinctively Cannabis.
Aroma: The Ultimate Quality Check
There is no lab report that can replace the moment a container is opened. High-quality cannabis-derived terpenes can be instantly recognized, showing an amount of sophistication and familiarity that is unmatched by any artificial blend. Aroma is the most reliable method to determine the quality of the blend.
Genuineness has been a crucial factor in differentiating the industry as it develops. It doesn’t matter if a product is made with CO2 terpenes that are refined or cold-cured, the final objective is to preserve the original flavor of the plant. If terpenes are used with care and care, they’re more than just a means to improve the quality of products. Instead, they assist in bringing cannabis’ cultivation forward.