Terpenes

Terpenes are natural, oily and aromatic compounds produced by the cannabis plant and many other types of plants. Terpene compounds are responsible for the rich aromatic scents produced by cannabis. They are produced by the same plant glands that produce cannabinoids. If you've ever touched the resin of an Orange Bud, you'll notice a tangy citrus scent that can still be there even after many of the other scents have evaporated. This is because Orange Bud contains high levels of the terpene limonene.

There are more than 100 terpenes, each with its own aroma and taste. They create the unique aroma of our favorite cannabis strains. And terpenes are also found in other plants, from tree leaves to flower petals. Fungi, algae and bacteria also produce terpene compounds. Natural terpenes are responsible for the unique scent of the fresh, fragrant morning air in the forest or of garden flowers.

Where Terpenes Are Used

Terpenes are widely used in the biotechnology, food, fragrance and cosmetic industries. It is a diverse range of chemical compounds, from relatively simple compounds to complicated structures. Terpenes are delicate compounds that can easily be lost from the buds if the grow box is too warm or if the buds are over-dried and poorly aged in jars.

Many of the terpenes in cannabis are already well known and understood due to their presence in other flowers, fruits, spices and other natural plant and animal sources. Various terpenes and their aromas have been used in perfumery and in the production of essential oils for many years.

Hemp contains hundreds of chemical compounds. Most of these are cannabinoids or cannabinoid-related compounds. But you will also find dozens of terpenes, flavonoids and various other naturally occurring chemicals. Some of these are still largely underexplored.

For a long time, research into cannabis was very limited, so most cannabinoids were barely explored. What's more, little is known about how cannabinoids and terpenes interact with each other chemically. The idea that the compounds of the plant work together is often referred to as the entourage effect.

Terpenes are contained along with hemp oils and cannabinoids in the glistening trichome resin that covers the flowers and leaves. The rich content of terpenes gives properly dried buds an unbeatable, desirable and enticing aroma. Myrcene, for example, gives many varieties an earthy, musky note reminiscent of ripe mango.

Terpenes are found in many plants, not just cannabis. Limonene is found in citrus plants and creates the typical citrus smell.

Many cannabis connoisseurs love the deep, rich terpene profile of their favorite varieties. Pinene is a terpene found in pines and conifers, giving buds a fresh "forest" aroma.

One other important terpene from cannabis is known as beta caryophyllene. Also known as caryophyllene, it can make up to 25% of the total terpene content of the cannabis plant. It has a spicy, peppery aroma and also occurs in black pepper and cloves.

The final terpene content of cannabis depends on several factors. These include the genetics of the hemp plant as well as the way the hemp was grown and dried.

Usually, in properly dried buds, the total terpene content is up to 0.5% of the total weight. However, with the best genetics and optimized growing and drying conditions, you can see terpene levels up to around 1% of flower weight.