As the cannabis industry develops consumer expectations regarding authenticity and flavor are growing. The customers aren’t content with products which “work” anymore. They want to experience aromas and flavors that truly represent the cannabis. Cannabis extracts are being created to meet this need.
Image credit: massterpenes.com
The Terpenes that Define Cannabis Identity
Terpenes is an aromatic compound responsible for the distinct smell and taste of cannabis strains. They affect how a product is perceived before the effects can be felt. When properly stored, terpenes can signal freshness and strain lineage. They also communicate general quality. If they are not handled properly even products with high potency can seem artificial or spongy.
The authentic Cannabis Terpenes are derived directly from the flower of cannabis and capture the aroma of the flower. It is a fundamentally different product from the botanical terpenes blends that try to recreate the cannabis profile using compounds taken from non-cannabis plants. While botanical blends have a cheaper price, they don’t have the sophistication that cannabis enthusiasts would like to see.
The extraction method determines the outcome
How the terpenes were extracted has a big impact on the final product. Hydrocarbon extraction from fresh or fresh-frozen plants is preferred to capture vivid, resinous aromas. These techniques preserve substances that are easily destroyed in high-temperature processes or drying.
At the same time, CO2 terpenes offer a different advantage. Carbon dioxide extraction permits precise control, and produces solid and clean Terpenes that are stable and clean. The aroma that results is more solitary than extracting live hydrocarbons, however CO2-derived profiles are admired for consistency and purity especially in formulations where balance is important more than intensity.
Producers must choose their method based not on the latest trends, but rather on what they would like to achieve.
Fresh Material can make a measurable difference
Terpenes from high-quality cannabis are harvested with the harvest. Terpenes by nature are unstable, meaning they degrade quickly when exposed to heat, oxygen or over a period of time. Fresh frozen material, or flower that has been preserved with care can help lock in the original aroma profile.
Once degradation occurs, there is no way to completely recover what was lost. This is why experienced producers of terpenes are extremely focused on the sourcing process and handling. The clarity and intensity of the aroma are immediately different between fresh material and compromised material.
What to look out for when buying Cannabis Terpenes
It is easy to ignore the exaggerated descriptions or flashy claims when evaluating Cannabis products for sale. Transparency is the most important thing. Buyers must understand the method of extraction and where they originate from and how they are processed.
Consistency is another important aspect. Truly cannabis-derived product must smell exactly the same from batch to batch even if it’s strain-specific. The presence of large variations can indicate instability sourcing or rushed production which are both red flags for companies who are focused on quality.
Terpene Craft: A Focused approach
Some producers try and be all things at once. Some prefer specialization. Mass Terpenes belongs to the second type, and focuses only on terpenes instead of focusing attention across multiple products types. The emphasis on terpenes allows for more control of the end product’s aroma and processing.
By focusing on small-batch production as well as careful post-processing, Mass Terpenes emphasizes letting the aroma be the main focus. Instead of relying upon hype, the quality is to be viewed through aromas and tastes that are distinctively Cannabis.
Aroma: The Ultimate Quality Check
When you open an bottle, there is no lab report that will be able to replace it. The variety and familiarity of cannabis-derived terpenes are evident immediately and cannot be duplicated by artificial blends. Aroma remains the truest measure of the success.
Authenticity is the new differentiator in the market. Whatever the producer chooses to use CO2 terpenes refined from CO2 or live extracted profiles of cannabis, the ultimate aim is the same: to protect the original character of the plant. When terpenes are treated with respect and care, they can do much more than simply enhance the quality of the product. They can also assist in bringing cannabis culture in its most recognizable format.