Buzz
Once you're familiar with cannabis, you'll come across the term 'terpenes' when reviewing product labels or receiving advice from a trusted budtender. These aromatic compounds, present in nearly everything, including lavender, gasoline, and even your toothpaste, influence your cannabis experience by affecting flavor and aroma. Terps, or terpenes, are key to understanding the scent and taste profiles of cannabis, as well as its broader sensory effects.
In the world of cannabis, terpenes are aromatic compounds that reveal the flavor profile of a product. Unlike specific fruits like oranges or lemons, each cannabis strain offers a unique yet similar scent experience. Packaged cannabis products often list terpene profiles to give consumers a better understanding of what to expect from each strain's aroma and flavor.
Why are terpenes so important in cannabis?
In cannabis, terpenes play a role in shaping the effects, although the famous yet overused line in cannabis writing applies here: We still don't fully understand the 'entourage effect' that gets you so high, but it involves a variety of components that haven’t been fully explored, with terpenes playing a key role alongside powerful cannabinoids like THC and CBD.
Terpenes work alongside a range of compounds in cannabis to influence how your body and mind respond to it, with those effects varying from person to person. The reputation of different strains and cultivars is based on their terpene profiles, and an expert cannabis connoisseur can often identify them just by their scent—similar to the skill of a wine taster or perfume expert.
These chemicals are central in conversations about various cannabis strains and cultivars, their distinct aromas, and their concentrates. Cannabis enthusiasts often become terpene enthusiasts, hunting for rare scent combinations to experience their ultimate high—though that high can mean different things for different people.
How terpenes are discussed in the cannabis industry
Strain-specific products contain the same terpenes as the plant they were derived from, though many of these products can also have additional terpenes added. Whether you enjoy the effects or taste of these products depends on your personal preferences.
A popular strain-specific product—Kiva's Lost Farm Fruit Chews—taste similar to the weed-infused Starbursts I used to make at home for discreet medicating, but with a more refined cannabis flavor. A company representative shared via email that the stronger plant taste was intentional, as it helps the edible mirror the full-spectrum effects of smoking flower. 'They offer a full-spectrum, true-to-the-plant high that’s richer, brighter, and more complex than typical edibles,' the rep explained. 'It provides a full-sensory experience usually reserved for smokers.'
While your experience may differ from the marketing language, some users (including myself) report needing less THC to 'feel it' after consuming one of these full-spectrum chews. I suspect it’s not just the entourage effect working in my mouth, but also the way the chew dissolves rather than being swallowed and processed through the digestive system.
The use of strain-specific, terpene-rich live resin revolutionizes the way edibles are made. As Kiva’s representative mentioned, 'Creating full-spectrum edibles is challenging... Before infusion, we carefully de-carb the live resin at a low temperature to preserve the delicate terpenes, cannabinoids, and flavors in the final product.'
How to select terpenes in your cannabis
Terpenes are flavorful, but for experienced cannabis users, they are best appreciated in their flower form. If you’re new to this world, the way terpenes are discussed might feel overwhelming, but as you get familiar with different cultivars, you’ll identify your favorites. Many budtenders have advised me to 'follow my nose' over the years, meaning if you enjoy the smell, you’ll likely enjoy the effects as well.
The growing conditions and the treatment of the product both play a significant role in determining the quantity and quality of terpenes. Stone Road founder and CEO, Lex Corwin, explained that his company uses its understanding of terpene behavior on their farm to guide the final product’s outcome.
Corwin selects cultivars based on the preferences of his customers. 'Our consumers prefer fruity and sour strains over the more traditionally pungent ones,' he shared. 'Being a high-elevation farm, it’s crucial for us to choose the right genetics that thrive within our unique ecosystem.'
Relying on signature strains that excel in their environment is akin to the expertise fine food and wine artisans apply, yet it remains a relatively new concept to the average cannabis consumer. 'We strive to create products that are fresh and flavorful, and we’ve found that the most popular terpenes our customers look for are Terpinolene (fruity and floral), Limonene (citrus and minty), and Pinene (pine, herbal, earthy),' Corwin said.
Since there’s a flavor for everyone, brands that don’t focus on the potency-driven consumer obsessed with THC content can cater to a more refined clientele.
'People definitely pay attention to THC levels,' Corwin admitted, 'but I hope that trend is starting to fade. Once people start associating a terpene with a specific feeling, they’re more likely to seek out flowers with similar profiles.'
To stay ahead of cannabis trends and discover products that align with your unique preferences for getting high, start by trusting your sense of smell.
