As the cannabis market grows, expectations about authenticity and flavor are rising. Consumers no longer want products that simply “work”. They want scents that help them identify it, and tastes that resemble authentic cannabis. Cannabis derivative products are being developed to meet this demand.
Image credit: massterpenes.com
What are Terpenes and How Do They Define Cannabis Identity
Terpenes are the compounds that are responsible for the distinct scent and flavor of marijuana strains. They can affect the perception of a product for a long time before its effects are felt. If they are properly preserved Terpenes are a source of freshness, strain history, and also quality. If handled improperly even the most potent product may feel stale or fake.
Cannabis flower terpenes are a way to capture the aroma of the plant. This is a distinct distinction from botanical terpene mixtures, which attempt to mimic cannabis profiles using compounds extracted from non-cannabis plants. Although botanical blends are economical however, the flavor depth that consumers are used to from cannabis isn’t always there.
The extraction technique determines the final outcome
The final character of terpenes is largely determined by how they’re extracted. Hydrocarbon extraction from fresh or fresh-frozen plant material is often favored for capturing lively, live-resin -like aromas. These methods preserve fragile substances that can be easily destroyed during drying or high-heat processing.
At the same time, CO2 terpenes offer a different advantage. CO2 extraction allows for precise control, and produces solid and clean terpenes. The aroma of the resulting profile may be more muted as compared to hydrocarbon extractions that are live. But CO2 profiles can provide the sameness and purity, especially when it comes to formulations that value balance more than intensity.
Neither method is inherently “better.” Each has an objective that is different and producers who are well-informed make their choice according to their goals instead of marketing trends.
The distinction between the old and new materials is measurable
The high-quality cannabis-derived terpenes start with the harvest. Terpenes are volatile, and can rapidly degrade when they come into contact with oxygen, temperature or time variables. The original aroma is best preserved with fresh frozen flowers or other materials which have been properly preserved.
After degradation, no extraction technique can completely restore what was lost. Because of this, skilled producers of terpenes are obsessed with finding and processing. The difference between a fresh and compromised product is immediately noticeable in scent clarity and intensity.
What to look out for when purchasing cannabis Terpenes
It’s easy to overlook flashy statements and descriptions when it comes to evaluating Cannabis Terpenes. Transparency is the most important thing. Buyers should know where the terpenes come from, how they’re extracted and the products they’re transformed into following extraction.
Consistency is a further aspect. Cannabis-derived products, particularly those that are specific to a particular strain, must possess the same smell from batch-to-batch. The fact that there are large differences indicates that the company cares about the quality of its products.
Terpene Craft: A Focused Method
Some producers try to be all things to all people. Some choose to specialize. Mass Terpenes belongs to the second class, and concentrates solely on terpenes rather than having a focus on multiple product varieties. 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 aromas speak for themselves. Instead of relying heavily on hype, Massterpenes is determined to let the scent speak for itself.
Aroma as the Ultimate Quality Check
When you open the bottle, no lab report can replace it. Terpenes derived from cannabis that are of high quality can be instantly recognized, showing an amount of complexity and familiarity unmatched by any synthetic blend. Aroma is the most reliable measure of the success.
As the market for cannabis expands, authenticity is now the primary distinctive feature. No matter whether a product is created using CO2 terpenes which have been refined or cold-cured, the ultimate objective is to preserve the original flavor of the plant. Terpenes, when treated with respect and intention, do more than improve the quality of products. They also carry the cannabis tradition forward.