What are Terpenes ? : The Secret behind a premium cannabis flower
One thing is for sure. Terpenes are King when it comes to the overall quality of a premium dried flower. When it comes to the cannabis plant, the common elements are cannabinoids which steal the spotlight, the most popular ones being THC (delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol) and CBD (cannabidiol).
Due to THC’s high psychoactive effects, it often overshadows other elements that make a plant more than a two trick pony. Terpenes are the often the overlooked third companion in the cannabis cockpit and often do not get the attention that they deserve but has now been making ears ring. And noses wiggle.
The above are not suggestions or recommended. It’s simply a general understanding of how terpenes and the aromas from them can work with the body’s endocannabinoid to target specific ailments.
With more education within the industry, consumers are slowly starting to see that terpenes play an important role in the plant’s lifecycle as well as contributing to the scent, aroma and flavour of the plant. Secreted within the resin glands and created alongside THC/CBD, terpenes are the aromatic oils present within cannabis.
Contained throughout our natural world, terpenes are present in items such as flowers, fruit, and perfumes. When consumed, the unique terpene profiles within cannabis interact with the other cannabinoids to modulate and create different experiences and effects.
Terpene Cheat Sheet
There are seven familiar or common terpenes often contained in many cultivars of cannabis.
Myrcene, Limonene, Pinene, Linalool, Beta-caryophyllene, Ocimene, and Terpinolene are the most common when it comes to terps.
Strains of cannabis with abundant singular scents (lemon, berry, orange, mango, grape, etc.) contain high volumes of a single terpene and relatively smaller quantities of other terpenes.
Strains of cannabis with pungent, less distinctive scents contain more balanced concentrations of a variety of terpenes.
Aroma and flavours are subjective and different aromas will appeal to different palates. There are a variety of terms for the types of aromas high-grade cannabis emits, including “skunk”, “diesel”, “floral” and “pine”.
The term grassy and hay-like is often used to describe a smell that indicates low-quality flower, but a grassy aroma doesn’t necessarily mean poor quality. A distinct, pungent, and unmistakable aroma — regardless of its particular flavor — is evidence of terpenes hard at work within the cannabis plant.
NOTEABLE AROMAS INCLUDE
- Gassy
- Skunky
- Cheesy
- Spicy
- Sweet
- Citrus
- Earthy
- Floral
- Fruity
- Herbal
Cannabis Grading
Assessing, analyzing and reviewing the characteristics of the cannabis plant and specific strains within the cannabis family is very important. You can use your senses to assess and evaluate the health, potential effects and overall quality of each cannabis plant.
Visuals – great cannabis is vivid in colour and demonstrates a healthy and potent plant. Some strains will be covered and caked in trichomes, which suggests the grow was successful and yielded cannabis rich in resin and oils.
Aromatics – each strain possesses a unique terpene profile that blends all of the smells and flavours of the various contributing compounds. Great cannabis is often full and rich in aromatics and pungent smells.
Taste – what flavours and experiences does this strain possess? Premium high quality cannabis will always have an un-mistakeable flavour and taste.
At 1337 Elite, we’re constantly looking to find premium cultivars that scream with flavours and tastes that bite the tongue.
Our dried flower is always above 2% terpenes with our solventless concentrates coming in at 9% terpenes.
Have any more questions? Feel free to reach out here !