As the cannabis industry grows, expectations about authenticity and flavor continue to rise. Consumers no longer want products that simply “work”. They are looking for aromas from the plant that help them identify the plant and its flavors that reflect real cannabis. This growing demand has placed Cannabis derived terpenes at the center of serious product development conversations.
Image credit: massterpenes.com
Terpenes are among the most important elements of the cannabis identity
Terpenes, the aromatic compounds that give cannabis its distinct smell and taste, are responsible for this. They impact the way a product’s perceived quality can be determined long before effects are experienced. If properly preserved Terpenes convey the freshness of the product, its strain lineage and overall quality. Even a highly potent product could become fake or flat if handled improperly.
The authentic Cannabis Terpenes originate from the cannabis flower and preserve its aroma. This is fundamentally unlike botanical terpenes that are extracted from non-cannabis sources and attempt to imitate cannabis profiles. Although botanical blends are inexpensive, they do not provide the layered depth that experienced consumers associate with true cannabis.
The extraction method affects the result
The method of extraction used to extract Terpenes can have a major impact on their final characteristics. Hydrocarbons extracted from fresh or freshly-frozen plant materials are typically utilized to create vivid, resinous-like scents. These methods protect substances that are easily destroyed by high-temperature processing or drying.
CO2 Terpenes possess the advantage of being able to extract CO2. CO2 extraction permits precise control and produces clean, stable terpene fractions. The aroma that results may be less intense compared to hydrocarbon-based extractions. However, CO2-derived profiles are superior for consistency and purity formulations.
It’s not possible to pick between these two. Each has a purpose that is different, and producers should make a decision based upon the outcome they want to achieve, not marketing trends.
Fresh Material Could Make a measurable difference
Quality cannabis-derived Terpenes starts when they are harvested. Terpenes are naturally volatile which means they break down quickly when exposed to oxygen, heat or prolonged time. The original aroma is best preserved by using freshly frozen material or flowers that have been properly preserved.
There is no extraction method that can be used to restore the value that has been lost after degradation occurs. This is the reason that experienced terpene makers are meticulous about their source and handling. The distinction between a fresh and compromised product can be immediately felt in aroma clarity and depth.
What to look out for when purchasing cannabis Terpenes
It is easy to ignore flashy descriptions or exaggerated claims when evaluating Cannabis products available for sale. Transparency matters more. Buyers must understand the method of extraction, where they come from and how they are processed.
Consistency is a further factor. Truly cannabis-derived product must smell exactly the same from batch to batch even if it’s strain-specific. Wide variations are usually an indicator for companies who are concerned about quality.
A Focused Approach to Terpene Craft
Some producers try to do all things at once. Some producers choose to specialize. Mass Terpenes fits into the second group, as it focuses on terpenes exclusively instead of focusing attention on multiple product types. This narrow focus permits greater control over the aroma, final output, and the processing.
Mass Terpenes prioritizes small-batch manufacturing and post-processing, letting the scent speak for itself. Instead of relying on advertising quality, it is to be viewed through aromas and tastes that are distinctively Cannabis.
Aroma is the Ultimate Quality Check
The lab report will never be able to replace the moment the container is opened. High-quality cannabis derived terpenes reveal themselves instantly, with a complexity and familiarity which artificial blends aren’t able to match. Aroma is the most reliable measurement of success.
Authenticity has become a key aspect in separating the business as it continues to develop. Whatever the product is created using CO2 terpenes, which are refined or cold-cured, the ultimate aim is to keep the plant’s original character. If terpenes are used with care and care, they are more than just a means to enhance the product. They also aid in carrying cannabis’s cultivation forward.