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An Emerging Essential

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[dropcap class=”kp-dropcap”]H[/dropcap]ave you ever wondered what gives OG Kush its distinct taste and smell? What about sap from a pine tree or the scent of lavender flowers? Why do our fingers smell like an orange after peeling one? The answer is terpenes.

Terpenes are the characteristic compounds of plants, flowers, trees and fruits that give each their distinct scent and flavor profiles. They exist in the leaves, stems, flowers, buds and skins of a variety of trees and plants. In the cannabis industry, manufacturers are increasingly isolating and extracting specific terpenes for use in concentrates and even edibles. CULTURE chatted with David McLean, marketing director of True Terpenes and Oren Cohen, founder of Terpene Experts to better understand the reasons for this growing trend.

“We like to say [it’s] the oldest new technology. Whether it’s a strain of Pineapple Express or a red rose, each plant has its own unique blend of terpenes and essential oils,” McLean said. “These compounds can be extracted from plant material using methods, such as CO2 or steam distillation, to create full plant essential oils.” True Terpenes in Portland, Oregon is a prominent provider of botanical terpenes for the cannabis industry.

Terpenes exist within cannabis naturally. “One can think of terpenes as being an essential part of the unique aromatic mix that make a given strain special. Terpenes are what make cannabinoids special and unique. They’re the aromatic drivers behind the sativa and indica [subspecies], and the more you learn about each isolated compound, the more you can funnel your cannabis experience,” said McLean. With certain types of cannabis concentrates growing in popularity, the demand for terpenes is on the rise as well.

 

The Growing Trend

We are seeing terpenes added to concentrates more and more, mostly to distillates, according to Cohen of Terpene Experts, a company that supplies terpenes for various cannabis companies. THC or CBD distillate is an odorless, flavorless concentrate that has been refined and stripped of all its impurities to create a clean, residual-free product. Many consumers appreciate the taste and smell of cannabis and don’t want a flavorless product, yet want the pureness of the distillate. Manufacturers are reintroducing specific terpenes to achieve desired taste and smell.

By stripping a concentrate of its flavor and smell, one might argue that part of the ritual is missing. Would you want an orange that is flavorless and odorless just because it was free of toxins and pesticides? Maybe not. “Flavor and aroma create time and place instantly. They bypass the ego and tug relentlessly at your emotions without a chance for the conscious mind to intervene. Terpenes are the key to this deeper interaction and connection to a product,” said Cohen.

As the market becomes more competitive for concentrate manufacturers, the role of terpenes has also become more prominent. “Terpenes have become one of the few qualitative components left for manufacturers of distillate cartridges to separate themselves from the pack. Five years ago you were a rock star if you could get crappy oil and put it into a cartridge for people to vape. Now the space is crowded,” Cohen said. “Everyone makes good oil now, hardware is better, packaging is top-notch. Your flavor profile is your brand identity.” Most connoisseurs want tasty products and often,  it’s what keeps people coming back and your brand memorable.

 

Future of Terpenes

While the trend is on the rise, professionals in the industry are certain that the demand for terpenes will only continue to grow. “The evolution is still in its infancy. People will seek greater exclusivity and creativity in their terpene profiles,” said Cohen.

“While we still consider basic terpene knowledge to be at a nascent stage, awareness of their impact is gaining momentum as cannabis becomes more readily available and budtender knowledge continues to rise. As consumers continue to learn how to guide or enhance their cannabis experiences, the subject of terpenes and aromatics can only continue to flourish,” said McLean.

While terpenes aren’t psychoactive like THC, we are finding out that they may still produce physical or psychological effects. “I think our understanding and practical application of terpenes will mature as our industry does,” said Cohen. Energizing and uplifting terpenes include alpha pinene, limonene and terpinolene, where the relaxing properties come from isolates such as beta caryophyllene, myrcene and linalool.

“Flavor and aroma create time and place instantly. They bypass the ego and tug relentlessly at your emotions without a chance for the conscious mind to intervene. Terpenes are the key to this deeper interaction and connection to a product.”

A Professional Practice

Terpene extracts are available for purchase online from companies like Terpene Experts and True Terpenes, among others. However, it’s wise to leave the addition of terpenes to the manufacturers. “Never consume them undiluted or in their pure form,” Cohen advises. “Dipping your buds or dabs in pure terpenes is probably not wise. They’re hydrocarbons, most are highly flammable.” If you’re feeling unsure about what to do with a bottle of them, leave it up to the professionals and buy products that are already infused. McLean said to keep the heat below 600°F as to not damage their delicate profiles.

The industry is constantly evolving and new technologies are emerging. Because of this, practices like terpene extraction are coming to light. The use of terpenes in cannabis is meant to enhance the consumer’s experience. Begin your flavor fueled terpene journey and see what kind of benefits you can unlock.

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