As the cannabis market develops, consumer expectations about authenticity and flavor are rising. Consumers are no longer satisfied with products that simply “work.” They want experiences that feel true to the plant aromas that evoke recognition, and tastes that are authentically cannabis not approximations. Cannabis extracts are being developed to satisfy this need.
Image credit: massterpenes.com
What are Terpenes and How Do They Define Cannabis Identity
Terpenes give the distinct taste and aroma of marijuana strains. They affect how a product is perceived long before effects are experienced. Terpenes, when properly preserved can convey the freshness of the product, its strain ancestry, and overall quality. Even products with high potency that are mishandled can cause them to appear fake.
Real Cannabis Terpenes are extracted directly from cannabis flower, which captures the plant’s natural aromatic fingerprint. This is distinct from botanical blends of terpenes that attempt to replicate cannabis profiles by using compounds extracted not from cannabis plants. Although botanical blends are lower price, they do not have the complexity that cannabis lovers would like to see.
The Extraction Method Determines the Outcome
How the terpenes were extracted can have a significant impact on the final product. The extraction of hydrocarbons from fresh or freshly frozen plant material is often popular for its ability to create lively, live-resin -like aromas. These methods preserve delicate compounds that can be easily lost when drying or heat processing.
At the same time, CO2 terpenes offer a different advantage. Carbon dioxide terpene extraction provides precise control as well as safe and stable terpene fragments. The aroma of the profile may be more muted as compared to hydrocarbon extractions that are live. However, CO2 profiles provide quality and consistency, particularly when formulas are based on balance over intensity.
It is not possible to decide between the two. Each has an objective that is distinct and the producers must choose based on their intended outcome instead of marketing trends.
Fresh Material is Measureable
The quality of cannabis-derived terpenes is determined by the harvest. Terpenes degrade quickly if exposed to oxygen, heat or even time. Use of fresh frozen material and carefully preserved flowers helps to preserve the original aroma profiles.
After degradation has occurred, no extraction technique will be able to recover all of the lost. This is why experienced producers of terpenes are enthralled by sourcing and processing. The clarity and intensity of the aroma are immediately different between the fresh and the compromised material.
What to look for when purchasing cannabis Terpenes
You can easily ignore the exaggerated descriptions or flashy claims when looking at Cannabis products on sale. Transparency, however, is of greater importance. Buyers must know where the terpenes come from, the method of extraction and the products they’re transformed into after extraction.
Consistency is also a crucial aspect. It is crucial that the smell of cannabis-derived products is the same, regardless of batch size. The presence of large variations is often a red flag for brands who are concerned about the quality of their products.
Terpene Craft: A Focused method
Some producers try to do all things to all people. Others choose to specialize. Mass Terpenes belongs to the second type, and focuses only on terpenes instead of paying attention to multiple product varieties. This narrow focus gives more control over aroma, processing, and output.
Mass Terpenes puts an emphasis on letting the smell do all of the talking. Instead of relying solely on the hype, quality is meant be perceived directly through smell and taste that are distinctively marijuana.
Aroma as A Quality Check
A lab report isn’t an alternative to the first time a cannabis container is opened. High-quality cannabis derived terpenes reveal themselves instantly, with an array of complexity and familiarity that artificial blends aren’t able to compete with. Aroma is the only real measurement of the success.
As the industry is evolving authenticity is the key element. It doesn’t matter if a producer decides to use CO2 terpenes refined using CO2 or live extracts of cannabis, the ultimate aim is the same: preserve the essence of the plant. When terpenes and cannabis are treated with intention and respect, they can do more that enhance products. They bring the cannabis culture forward with its most famous forms.