As the cannabis industry matures, expectations around authenticity and flavor are rising. The customer is not content with items that “work”. They are looking for experiences that are true to the plant, smells that are memorable and tastes that reflect the actual cannabis. Cannabis derivative products are being developed to satisfy this need.
Image credit: massterpenes.com
Why Terpenes Define Cannabis Identity
Terpenes provide the unique taste and aroma of marijuana strains. They can alter the perception of a product from cannabis before any effects take place. If properly preserved, terpenes have the ability to convey freshness as well as strain lineage and overall quality. If they are handled badly even the most potent product may be a bit spongy or synthetic.
Real Cannabis terpenes are sourced directly from cannabis flower, and capture the aroma of the plant’s. This is fundamentally a different approach from botanical terpene mixtures that mimic cannabis profiles by combining compounds from other plants than cannabis. While botanical blends have a lower cost, they lack the sophistication that cannabis enthusiasts would like to see.
The Extraction Method Determines the Result
The method of extraction used to extract Terpenes can have a major impact on their final characteristics. Hydrocarbons obtained from fresh or newly-frozen plant materials are typically utilized to produce the vibrant scents of resinous. These methods preserve fragile compounds that are easily lost when drying or processing at high temperatures.
At the same time, CO2 terpenes offer a different advantage. Carbon dioxide extraction creates solid, clean fractions of terpenes and allows to control them with precision. The aroma that results may be less pronounced than hydrocarbon extractions. However, CO2-derived profiles have a higher value for consistency and purity formulations.
Both strategies work equally well, however each serves a distinct purpose. A knowledgeable producer makes their decision based on the desired result rather than marketing trends.
Fresh Material makes a measurable change
After harvest, the quality of cannabis-derived compounds is determined. Terpenes have a volatile nature that is, they degrade rapidly when exposed to heat, oxygen or prolonged time. Utilizing fresh frozen material and properly preserved flowers can help to lock in the original aroma profiles.
Once degradation takes place, no technique of extraction will be able to restore what has been lost. Terpene producers with experience concentrate on sourcing and handling obsessively. The clarity and intensity of the aroma are instantly different between the fresh and the compromised material.
What to look for when Buying Cannabis Terpenes
You can easily ignore flashy descriptions or exaggerated claims when you are evaluating Cannabis products on sale. Transparency matters more. The consumer must be able to comprehend the source of the Terpenes, the extraction process, and processing after extraction.
Consistency plays an important role. True cannabis-derived products should smell the same from batch to, especially when they’re specific to a particular strain. The presence of large variations can indicate instability sourcing or rushed production which are both red flags for companies focused on high-quality.
Terpene Craft: A Focused approach
Some producers try to be all things at once. Some producers choose to specialize. Mass Terpenes is in the second group. It concentrates solely on the extraction of terpenes, rather than dividing attention between multiple product types. This focus is more focused and allows for better control of the smell processing, output and extraction.
Mass Terpenes’ small batch production and meticulous post-processing emphasizes the importance of letting the aromas be the main focus. Instead of relying upon marketing the quality is to be viewed through aromas and tastes that are distinctively Cannabis.
Aroma is the Ultimate Quality Check
It’s impossible to change the instant a container is opened. The smell of cannabis that is high-quality Terpenes is instantly noticeable and it has a familiarity and complexity that is hard to match in artificial blends. Aroma is the most reliable measure of quality and success.
Authenticity is the new differentiator in the business. No matter if a producer chooses to use CO2 terpenes that are refined using CO2 or live extracts of cannabis, the end aim is the same: protect the original character of the plant. When terpenes and cannabis are treated with intention and respect, they produce more to improve the quality of products. They bring the culture of cannabis into the future with its most famous varieties.
