As the market for cannabis matures, expectations around authenticity and flavor are rising. The customer is not satisfied with items that “work”. They are seeking authentic experiences that reflect the plant, smells that evoke recognition, and flavors that reflect actual cannabis. This growing demand has placed Cannabis Terpenes derived from Cannabis at the heart of important discussions on product development.
Image credit: massterpenes.com
Terpenes are among the most important ingredients of cannabis’s identity.
Terpenes produce the distinctive smell and flavor of cannabis strains. They affect the way a product’s perceived quality is long before the effects are experienced. When properly stored Terpenes convey freshness and strain lineage. They also communicate general quality. If they are handled poorly, even high-potency products can seem artificial or slack.
Real Cannabis terpenes are sourced directly from cannabis flower, capturing the plant’s natural aromatic fingerprint. This is fundamentally unlike botanical terpenes which are derived from non-cannabis sources, and attempt to imitate cannabis profiles. While botanical blends come at a lower cost, they lack the sophistication that cannabis enthusiasts expect.
The extraction method influences the outcome
Terpenes’ final flavor is determined by the method from which they’re extracted. Hydrocarbons are extracted from plant material that is either frozen or fresh, and this process is able to capture the vivacious aromas of a live resin. These techniques preserve fragile compounds that can be easily lost in heat or drying.
CO2 Terpenes offer a distinct advantage. Carbon dioxide extraction is precise and produces stable, clean terpene fractions. The aroma that is produced can be less intense compared to hydrocarbon extractions. However, CO2-derived profiles are more valuable for consistency and purity in formulations.
Producers should select their method not based on the latest trends, but rather on what they want.
Fresh Material Can Make a measurable Difference
The quality of cannabis derived Terpenes is determined by harvest. Terpenes are naturally volatile that is, they degrade rapidly when exposed to heat, oxygen, or time. Freshly frozen materials or carefully preserved flowers can help lock in the original aromatic profile.
Once degradation takes place and the process of extraction ceases, there is no way that will be able to restore what has been lost. The terpene industry is very focused on the sourcing of raw materials and the handling of them. The difference in aroma clarity in depth, complexity and intensity between fresh and compromised material is instantly noticeable.
What to Look for when purchasing Cannabis Terpenes
Exaggerated descriptions and flashy words can be ignored when evaluating Cannabis Terpenes. The most important factor is transparency. The purchaser should be able to understand the origins of the Terpenes, their extraction and processing after extraction.
Consistency plays an important role. The aroma of cannabis-derived products should be constant from batch to batch. This is particularly important when the varieties are different. Large variations can indicate unstable source of production, or the rush to produce. Both of these are warning signs when it comes to quality-oriented brands.
Terpene Craft: A Focused Methodology
Others opt to focus. Others choose specialization. Mass Terpenes falls into the second category, focusing exclusively on the extraction of terpenes rather than spreading attention across multiple product types. This focus on terpene extraction allows for more control of aromas as well as the process and final product.
Mass Terpenes places a high emphasis on small-scale production, as well as a meticulous post-processing. This enables the flavor to speak for the product. Instead of being a product that is hyped The quality is designed to be felt directly by tasting and smelling that feel unmistakably cannabis.
Aroma: The Ultimate Quality Check
It’s impossible to change after a container is opened. The highest-quality cannabis-derived terpenes are revealed immediately, displaying the complexity and familiarity that even artificial blends can’t match. Aroma is the sole test of success.
The authenticity of a product has become a major aspect in separating the market as it continues to develop. This same principle applies to producers who choose live extracted profiles or CO2 refined terpenes. Terpenes, when treated with respect and intention, do more than improve the quality of products. They also help carry the cannabis culture forward.