As the market for marijuana matures and grows and expands, so do consumer expectations. Consumers are no longer looking for products that simply “work”. They want flavors from the plant that can make them recognize it, and tastes that resemble authentic cannabis. Cannabis derived products are being created to meet this demand.
Image credit: massterpenes.com
Why Terpenes Define Cannabis Identity
Terpenes is an aromatic compound responsible for the distinct taste and scent of cannabis strains. They influence how a product is perceived prior to any effects are felt. When stored properly Terpenes are a way to communicate the freshness of a product and also strain lineage. They also communicate general quality. When handled poorly even the most potent product can feel flat or artificial.
Cannabis Terpenes are extracted direct from the flower of cannabis plants, and they capture the plant’s unique aroma. This is a distinct difference from botanical terpenes that are extracted from other sources and try to imitate cannabis profiles. Although botanical blends are inexpensive, they do not provide the depth and layering that experienced consumers associate with true cannabis.
The extraction method influences the outcome
The final character of terpenes is determined by the method from which they are extracted. Hydrocarbon extraction of fresh or freshly frozen plants is a preferred method to extract the vivid, resinous aromas. These methods protect fragile substances, which are prone to lose their luster in high-heat drying processes.
At the same time, CO2 terpenes offer a different advantage. Carbon dioxide extraction produces solid, clean parts of terpenes, and allows to control them with precision. While the scent isn’t as strong than the aroma of living hydrocarbons CO2 profiles are valued for their consistency and purity. This is particularly true in formulations where balance is more important than intensity.
Both methods work equally well, however each serves a distinct function. Informed producers make their decision based on the desired outcome, not on marketing trends.
Fresh Material makes a measurable difference
The quality of Terpenes derived from cannabis begins with the harvest. Terpenes can be volatile and quickly degrade if they come in contact with oxygen, temperatures, time, or other factors. Utilizing fresh frozen material or carefully preserved flower helps lock in the original aromatic profile.
When degradation begins, there is no way to recover fully what has been lost. Experienced terpene manufacturers focus on handling and sourcing in a constant manner. The difference in aroma clarity in depth, complexity and intensity between fresh and compromised material is immediately apparent.
What should you look for when buying Cannabis Terpenes
You are able to easily overlook the exaggerated descriptions or flashy claims when evaluating Cannabis products available for sale. More important is the transparency. Buyers must know how terpenes were extracted and processed.
Consistency is also an important factor. Cannabis-derived products, especially strain-specific ones, should have the same scent from batch to batch. Wide variations could signal unstable sourcing, or rushed production. Both of these are red flags for high-quality brands.
Terpene Craft: A Focused Approach
Some producers try to be all things to all people. Some producers choose to specialize. Mass Terpenes is in the second group. It is focused solely on the extraction of terpenes, rather than dividing attention between different types of products. The emphasis on terpenes gives more control over the final product, the aroma, and the processing.
Mass Terpenes prioritizes small-batch manufacturing and post-processing that lets the aroma speak for itself. Instead of relying on hype the product’s quality is intended to be experienced directly by tasting and smelling that are distinct cannabis.
Aroma: The Ultimate Quality Check
The moment you open the bottle, no lab report will be able to replace it. Terpenes derived from cannabis that are of high quality are immediately identifiable, displaying the level of quality and sophistication that cannot be matched by any synthetic blend. Aroma remains the most honest measurement of your success.
Genuineness is the new distinguishing factor in the industry. No matter whether a product is produced using CO2 terpenes that are refined or cured cold, the main goal is to maintain the plant’s original character. If terpenes are handled with respect and care, they do more than make products better, they also bring cannabis cultivation forward in the most well-known shape.
