As the marijuana industry matures and grows and expands, so do consumer expectations. As the cannabis market matures, consumers are less satisfied with products that just “work”. Instead, they want authentic flavors and scents of real cannabis. This growing demand has placed Cannabis derived terpenes at the center of serious product development conversations.
Image credit: massterpenes.com
Why Terpenes define Cannabis identity
Terpenes provide the unique aroma and flavor of cannabis strains. They impact the way a product’s perceived quality can be determined long before effects are actually felt. If properly preserved Terpenes are a source of freshness, strain heritage, and quality. Even high-potency products that are handled improperly can make them appear artificial.
Cannabis flower terpenes are a way to capture the natural aromatic fingerprint of the plant. This is a distinct difference from botanical terpenes, which are made from non-cannabis sources and attempt to replicate the cannabis profile. Although botanical blends are cost-effective, they rarely deliver the depth and layering that experienced users associate with real cannabis.
The extraction method determines the outcome
How terpenes have been extracted has a big influence on the final product. Hydrocarbon extraction is often used to capture the vibrant aromas of resin. These methods protect compounds that can be easily destroyed by high-temperature processing or drying.
CO2 Terpenes can also be an option. Carbon dioxide extraction is precise and results in pure, stable terpene fragments. CO2 extractions could create a less intense aroma than live hydrocarbons but are still valued for purity and consistency, especially in formulations that emphasize balance over intensity.
It is not possible to pick between these two. Each serves an objective that is distinct, and producers should choose based on their intended outcome instead of market trends.
Fresh Material can make an observable difference
Quality cannabis-derived Terpenes starts with the harvest. Terpenes, as a matter of fact, are unstable, meaning they degrade quickly when exposed to heat, oxygen or time. If you use a fresh flowers, frozen or material that is carefully preserved, you will be able to preserve the original aroma.
When degradation occurs and the process of extraction ceases, there is no way that can bring back what is lost. This is the reason that terpene makers who have experience are obsessive about sourcing and handling. Fresh and contaminated material is immediately discernible by their aroma clarity and intensity.
What to Look for when purchasing Cannabis Terpenes
When looking at Cannabis Terpenes it’s easy to overlook overly-exaggerated descriptions. Transparency however is more important. The buyer must understand the sources of Terpenes, the extraction process, and processing after extraction.
Consistency is a key factor. The cannabis-derived products, specifically the strain-specific ones, should have the same scent from batch to batch. If there is a lot of difference in smell, it could indicate unstable sourcing and rushed production. Both of them are warnings for companies that care about the quality of their products.
Terpene Craft: A Focused Method
Some producers attempt to be everything at once. Certain producers opt to focus on a specific area. Mass Terpenes, which focuses exclusively on terpenes instead of being concerned with multiple product categories, falls under the second group. This specialized focus permits greater control over the aroma, processing and output.
Mass Terpenes places a high importance on small batch production and careful post-processing. This enables the flavor to speak for the product. Instead of relying on hype the product’s quality is intended to be experienced directly by the smell and taste that feel unmistakably cannabis.
Aroma as a Quality Check
It is impossible to substitute after a container has been opened. The variety and acquaintance with cannabis-derived terpenes are readily apparent and cannot be duplicated by artificial blends. Aroma is the most reliable measure of the success.
Genuineness has been a crucial aspect in separating the industry as it continues to develop. It doesn’t matter if a producer chooses to use CO2 terpenes derived from CO2 or live-extracted profiles of cannabis, the ultimate objective is the same: to protect the natural character of the plant. When terpenes have been treated with respect and care and care, they are able to do more than simply enhance the quality of the product. They can also assist in bringing cannabis culture in its most recognizable format.