As the marijuana market matures and grows and expands, so do consumer expectations. Customers are not satisfied with products that “work” anymore. They want scents and flavors that are a reflection of the cannabis. Cannabis extracts are being developed to satisfy the demand.
Image credit: massterpenes.com
Terpenes are among the most important elements of the cannabis identity
Terpenes is an aromatic chemical responsible for the distinctive aroma and taste of marijuana strains. They influence the impression of a product for a long time before the effects can be felt. When preserved properly Terpenes signal the freshness of the product, its strain lineage, as well as overall quality. When handled poorly even a product with a high potency can feel flat or artificial.
Cannabis Terpenes are extracted direct from the flowers of cannabis plants. They they are able to capture the unique scent. This is a distinct distinction from botanical blends of terpenes, which try to mimic cannabis’s characteristics by using substances extracted not from cannabis plants. While botanical blends can be cost-effective, they rarely deliver the depth and layering that experienced consumers associate with true cannabis.
Extraction Method Shapes the Outcome
The method of extraction used to extract terpenes has a significant impact on their final character. The extraction of hydrocarbons from fresh or frozen plant material is often preferred for its ability to capture vivid, live-resin-like aromas. These techniques preserve fragile substances that are easily destroyed when drying or heat processing.
At the same time, CO2 terpenes offer a different advantage. Carbon dioxide extraction allows for exact control and results in solid, clean terpene fractions. CO2 extractions may create a less intense smell than the live hydrocarbons, however they are still valued for the purity and consistency they provide, especially in formulations that value balance over intensity.
There is no way to say that one method is “better.” Each has an objective that is different and producers who are well-informed make their choice according to their goals rather than marketing trends.
Fresh Material is Measurable
The high-quality cannabis-derived terpenes start with the harvest. Terpenes are naturally volatile which means they break down quickly when exposed to heat, oxygen or prolonged time. The original scent is best preserved using fresh frozen materials or flowers that have been properly preserved.
When degradation occurs, no technique of extraction can restore what was lost. The terpene industry is focused on the sourcing of raw materials and the handling of them. The differences in aroma clarity in depth, complexity and intensity between fresh and compromised material is instantly noticeable.
What to be looking for when purchasing Cannabis Terpenes
Flashy descriptions and exaggerated statements can be ignored when it comes to evaluating Cannabis terpenes. Transparency however is of greater importance. Buyers need to know where the Terpenes come from, how they were extracted and the way they are treated after extraction.
Consistency plays an important role. Cannabis-derived products, particularly specific strains, must have the same scent from batch to batch. If there are significant differences in smell, it could indicate unstable sourcing and rushed production. Both of them are warnings for companies who care about the quality of their products.
Terpene Craft: A Focused Method
Some producers attempt to be all things at once. Others choose to specialize. Mass Terpenes falls into the second category, focusing solely on the extraction of terpenes rather than spreading attention across multiple product types. This focus is narrow and allows for better control of the aroma, final output, as well as processing.
Mass Terpenes prioritizes small-batch manufacturing and post-processing that lets the aroma speak for itself. Instead of solely relying on a marketing campaign the quality of the product is felt directly through scent and taste that are unmistakably marijuana.
Aroma is the Ultimate Quality Check
Once you have opened an bottle, there is no lab report that will be able to replace it. The complexity and familiarity of cannabis-derived Terpenes are evident immediately, and they can’t be duplicated by artificial blends. The aroma is the main measure of success.
As the cannabis market develops in the future, authenticity is the main differentiator. The same goal applies regardless of whether producers opt for live-extracted profiles or CO2 refined Terpenes. Terpenes when handled with respect and care are more than just improving products. They also bring the cannabis tradition forward.