What Are “terpenes” in Weeds (and Why Are They Important)?
By the time you start using cannabis to the point where you start paying attention to what’s printed on your product labels, or find a retailer whose advice you trust, you’ll probably come across the term terpenes more than once. But what are they and why should you pay attention to them when choosing a hiding place? Lest you think that terpenes (“terpenes” in kanna jargon are just weeds), you should know that these are aromatic chemicals that are found in almost … everything. Lavender and rose scent? Terpenes. Gasoline and turpentine? Also terpenes From minty toothpaste in the morning to a glass of fine red wine in the evening, terpenes are the chemicals that take your nose on a journey.People can be terpene fanatics and not even know it—both natural fragrances and artificial fragrances derive their power from terpenes found in foods, drinks, body care products and more.
In the case of weed, terpenes are identifiable aromatic compounds that inform the consumer about the overall flavor profile of a product. Cannabis strains are less restricted than other plants such as orange and lemon; all varieties smell the same and at the same time differently. Legal, packaged cannabis products tend to be tested for terpenes to give people an idea of what to expect in a bag.
Why are terpenes so important in cannabis?
In cannabis, terpenes can affect the outcome, although the most commonly used phrase in weed spelling applies here: we don’t yet know why the “entourage effect” makes you super baked, but it includes hundreds of ingredients that have yet to be matched. , of which terpenes are the main ones (after, of course, powerful cannabinoids such as THC and CBD).
Terpenes interact with a variety of compounds in cannabis to change how your body and brain react to it, and these effects are also individualized. The reputation of strains and cultivars depends on their terpene profiles, and an experienced cannaser can only identify them by smell – something like a wine taster or a perfume chemist.
These chemicals come into play when discussing the different strains or varieties, the different flavors of their flowers, and their concentrates. Cannabis fanatics tend to be terpene fanatics as well, chasing rare flavor combinations in search of their best effect, although that means different things to different users.
How terpenes are being talked about in the cannabis market
While strain-specific products contain the same terpenes as the plant they were derived from, many may contain additional terpenes. Whether you like how these foods make you feel or how they taste will determine your preferences.
A popular strain-specific product, Lost Farm by Kiva’s Fruit Chews, tastes exactly like the Starbursts weed I used at home for a discrete treatment, with a more nuanced weed flavor. A company representative told me via email that the plant’s stronger flavor was intentional because it means the edible better matches the flower’s full spectrum of smoking effects. “They deliver a full spectrum, true botanical effect that is noticeably richer, brighter and more complex than regular edibles,” the spokesperson wrote. “It’s the kind of full sensory experience that is usually reserved for smokers.”
Whether or not your experience fits this admittedly subjective marketing language, some users[me] have reported that they need less THC to “feel it” after eating one of these full spectrum gummies. I suspect it’s not just the entourage effect going on in my mouth, but how the gum dissolves rather than being swallowed and processed by the digestive system.
The incorporation of a strain-specific live terpene resin is fundamentally changing the way food is produced. As a Kiva spokesperson noted, “Full-spectrum food preparation is [difficult]…Before infusion, we remove the carburetors from the live resin very carefully and at such a minimum degree [in temperature] to preserve the delicate terpenes, cannabinoids and flavors in the finished product.”
How to buy terpenes in weed
Terpenes are delicious, but for OG weed lovers, they taste best in flower form. If you’re a beginner, the way they talk about terpenes can seem intimidating, but once you get comfortable with the strains, you’ll be able to spot your favorites. Many budtenders have been telling me for years to “watch your nose,” which means if you like the smell, you might also like the effect.
Growing conditions, as well as the way the product is processed, can also determine the amount and quality of terpenes. Cannabis producer Stone Road founder and CEO Lex Corwin said his company is using its knowledge of how terpenes behave on their farm to help determine the end result.
Corwin selects varieties based on his consumer profile. “Our customers love the fruity and sour varieties, rather than the more traditional gaseous ones,” he said. “For a highland farm, it’s important that we choose the right genetics that thrive in our mini-ecosystem.”
Relying on branded expressions that feel good in their habitat is a skill that people lend to artisans working with fine food and wine and is still a new concept for the average cannabis consumer. “We are committed to producing tasty and fresh products and have found that the most popular terpenes our customers are looking for are terpinolene (fruity and floral), limonene (citrus and mint), and pinene (pine, herbaceous, earthy),” Corvin said. . .
Because there is something for everyone, brands that aren’t chasing the potency-conscious consumer who cares only about THC content can cater to the more discerning consumer.
“People are definitely worried about the THC numbers,” Korwin admitted, “but hopefully that trend is abating a bit. Once people can identify a terpene with feeling, they are more likely to look for a flower with similar profiles.”
If you want to stay ahead of the weed trends and find products that suit your particular “tastes” when it comes to getting high, start by watching your nose.