When you pop the seal off a new cart or crack open a jar every cannabis enthusiast will recognize the distinct, sharp smell. There’s more to the smell than what’s apparent. The experience is a blend of mood, memory, anticipation, and expectations. This experience is created through terpenes, and not only any terpenes, they are the ones that come directly from the cannabis plant in itself. Cannabis-derived compounds are known as terpenes, they are rapidly becoming the key ingredient in the kitchen of everyone who wishes to improve the flavor, authenticity, or overall quality of the product.
Image credit: massterpenes.com
For a long time the cannabis industry has relied heavily on botanicals terpenes for recreating the essence of cannabis strains. It was logical on paper. Extracting limonene from oranges or pinene from pine trees could be a cost-effective way to simulate familiar strain profiles. Reality didn’t always match up with the claims. Terpene blends, although initially a pleasant scent, usually lacked the depth, soul, and staying power of the cannabis-derived counterparts. The terpene blends also rapidly degraded, and eventually resulted in a odor which was a lot like air fresheners.
These are the terpenes that come from cannabis and come into play. These terpenes are extracted direct from cannabis plants. They are the main substances that determine the distinctive aroma of a particular strain, as well as the subtle notes, which botanical sources can’t match. It’s not just about taste it’s all about capturing the spirit.
One innovation pushing this even further is the use of live resin terpenes. Instead of getting terpenes from dried or cured cannabis these are extracted from plants that are immediately frozen after harvest. The technique of quick-freezing locks in volatile, delicate compounds that would otherwise have been lost. The result is a terpene-like profile that feels more alive brighter, deeper and more like of the flavor that the original strain wanted to achieve.
The sensory benefits are obvious, but the impact of cannabis-derived terpenes goes beyond flavor. Terpenes are responsible for creating what is known as the entourage, which is a complex interaction between cannabinoids with terpenes. It can have a profound influence on the overall experience. For instance, a formula that has true OG Kush terpenes not only tastes better, but can also give a balanced and familiar experience due to the supporting compound preserved in the extract.
As the awareness of consumers grows and so does the need for greater transparency. The lookup for THC isn’t any longer limited to high numbers. They look up ingredient lists, research the products they purchase, and search for terpenes that are derived from cannabis with clear sourcing information. Brands which meet the standard of providing strain-specific, uncut blended profiles of terpenes are awarded both with industry credibility and loyalty from customers.
This shift is particularly important in a world flooded with options. The authenticity of the products are becoming increasingly crucial in a world in which so many competing for attention. Although synthetic and botanical flavours may catch the eye of someone initially, the experience of Terpenes made from cannabis is what keeps them coming back.
Mass Terpenes emerged as a leader in the cannabis industry. It provides both live resins (resins derived from hemp) and hemp-derived line products created to suit different budgets while maintaining high-end quality. Their CDT Series has been the most popular product among vape makers and extractors alike.
In the end, it’s not just about smell. It’s about the connection. Terpenes can affect your experience in more ways than most people are aware. Making the decision to use pure cannabis is a choice of clarity, honesty, and depth. The most potent of ingredients are the Terpenes.