As the marijuana industry matures and grows and expands, so do consumer expectations. Customers are no longer content with products that simply “work.” They want experiences that feel true to the plant aromas that make them feel recognized and taste that are authentically cannabis not merely imitations. Cannabis Terpenes derived from cannabis are now a key focus of product development due to the growing demand.
The Terpenes that Define Cannabis Identity
Terpenes is the aromatic substance that gives the distinctive aroma and taste of cannabis strains. They impact the perception of a product’s quality can be determined long before effects are experienced. When stored properly, terpenes can signal the freshness of a product and also strain lineage. They also convey the overall quality. Even highly-potent products can be artificial or flat if they are not handled properly.
Image credit: massterpenes.com
Cannabis flower terpenes are a way to capture the scent of the plant. This is fundamentally unlike botanical terpenes which are derived from other sources and try to mimic cannabis profiles. Botanical blends may be more cost-effective but they don’t have the same depth as true cannabis.
The method of extraction influences the final outcome
How the terpenes were extracted can have a significant influence on the final product. Hydrocarbons are extracted from plant material that is either fresh or frozen, and this process is able to capture the vivacious flavors of live resin. These methods preserve substances that are easily destroyed in high-temperature processes or drying.
At the same time CO2 terpenes have an additional benefit. Carbon dioxide extraction allows for precise control and produces pure, stable terpene fragments. While the smell is less in intensity than those of hydrocarbons that are living, CO2 profiles are highly valued because of their consistency and purity. This is especially true in formulations where balance is more important than intensity.
It’s impossible to decide between the two. Each has a purpose that is different and therefore producers must make a decision based upon their intended outcome instead of market trends.
Fresh Material can make a tangible impact
The quality of cannabis-derived Terpenes is determined by harvest. Terpenes are volatile by nature that is, they degrade rapidly when exposed to oxygen, heat or prolonged time. Utilizing fresh frozen material and carefully preserved flowers helps to lock in the original aromatic profiles.
After degradation has occurred There is no method of extraction that can restore what was lost. This is the reason experienced producers of terpenes are extremely focused on the sourcing process and handling. The scent and clarity of the material will instantly tell you if it’s fresh or damaged.
What to Look for when purchasing Cannabis Terpenes
When evaluating Cannabis terpenes for sale, flashy descriptions and exaggerated claims are easy to ignore. Transparency is more important. Buyers should understand where the terpenes came from and the method of extraction, and how they are processed after extraction.
Consistency is yet another important element. Cannabis-derived products, particularly those that are specific to a particular strain, must possess the same smell from batch-to-batch. The presence of large variations is often a red flag for brands that care about the quality of their products.
Terpene Craft: a Focused Approach
Some producers try to be all things to all people. Some producers choose to specialize. Mass Terpenes falls into the second category, focusing solely on the extraction of terpenes instead of spreading the attention to multiple different types of products. This focus on terpene extraction allows for better control over aromas, processing, and the final product.
Mass Terpenes prioritizes small-batch manufacturing and post-processing that lets the aroma speak for it. The flavor should be felt directly, not through hype.
Aroma as an opportunity to conduct a Quality Check
It is impossible to change after a container is opened. High-quality cannabis-derived terpenes announce themselves instantly, with a the complexity and familiarity that even artificial blends can’t compete with. Aroma is the most reliable measure of quality and success.
As the market for cannabis grows authenticity is now the primary distinguishing factor. Whatever the producer chooses to use CO2 terpenes refined from CO2 or live extracted profiles of cannabis, the final goal remains the same: protect the natural character of the plant. When terpenes are treated with respect and care They do more than enhance products they carry cannabis cultivation forward in the most well-known form.