As the cannabis industry develops, expectations regarding authenticity and taste continue to rise. Customers no longer seek out products that only “work”. They want scents that can make them recognize it and flavors which reflect the real cannabis. Cannabis derived products are being developed to meet the demand.
Image credit: massterpenes.com
What are Terpenes and How Do They Define Cannabis Identity
Terpenes are the source of the distinct flavor and aroma of marijuana strains. They influence how a product is perceived even before it is experienced. Terpenes, when preserved correctly convey freshness, strain ancestry, and overall quality. If they are not handled properly even products with high potency can seem artificial or flat.
Real Cannabis terpenes are sourced directly from cannabis flower, capturing the plant’s natural aromatic fingerprint. This is a distinct difference from botanical terpenes which are derived from other sources and try to imitate cannabis profiles. Although botanical blends are inexpensive, they do not provide the depth and layering that experienced consumers associate with true cannabis.
The Extraction Method is the Key to the Final Results
The final character of terpenes is determined by the method from which they are extracted. Hydrocarbon extraction of fresh or freshly frozen plants is preferred for capturing the vivid, resinous aromas. These methods conserve fragile substances that are easily destroyed when drying or heat processing.
CO2 Terpenes are also a good alternative. Carbon dioxide terpene extraction provides precise control as well as clean and stable terpene fragments. CO2 extractions could produce a more subdued aroma than live hydrocarbons but are still valued for quality and consistency, particularly when formulas emphasize the balance of intensity over intensity.
A producer should choose their approach based on not trends but rather the outcome they wish to achieve.
Fresh Material Can Make an observable difference
The quality of cannabis-derived Terpenes are determined by the harvest. Terpenes can be volatile and are degraded when exposed to oxygen, heat or over time. When you use fresh, frozen flowers or other material that has been properly preserved, you can lock in your original aroma.
After degradation has occurred the extraction method won’t be able to restore all that was lost. The terpene industry is concentrated on the source of raw materials and the handling of them. The aroma and clarity of the material will tell you whether it is fresh or compromised.
What to look out for when buying Cannabis Terpenes
In evaluating Cannabis Terpenes on sale the flashy descriptions and exaggerated claims are easy to dismiss. Transparency is the most important thing. Buyers must know how Terpenes were extracted and processed.
Consistency is also an important factor. It is crucial that the smell of cannabis-derived products is the same, regardless of size. Large variations can indicate unstable source of production, or the rush to produce. These are both warning signs when it comes to high-quality brands.
Terpene Craft: A Focused approach
Some producers try to be all things to all people. Others prefer to concentrate on one thing. Mass Terpenes falls into the second group, which focuses exclusively on terpene extraction rather than spreading attention across multiple different types of products. The focus on terpenes gives more control over the final product, scent and processing.
Mass Terpenes prioritizes small-batch manufacturing and post-processing that lets the scent speak for itself. Instead of relying upon hype the quality must be felt through the smells and flavors that are distinct Cannabis.
Aroma as an opportunity to conduct a Quality Check
It’s impossible to change when a bottle has been opened. High-quality cannabis-derived terpenes announce themselves immediately, with complexity and familiarity that artificial blends struggle to meet. Aroma is the only true measurement of success.
The new standard for authenticity is authenticity. It’s the most important thing in the business. Whatever the product is made with CO2 terpenes, which are refined or cold-cured, the ultimate objective is to preserve the original flavor of the plant. When terpenes are handled with care and consideration and care, they not only make products better, they also bring cannabis culture forward in its most recognizable shape.