An Introduction to Terpenes

Terpene Profile

CBD hemp flower possesses an extraordinary aroma. If you’ve ever had the pleasure of experiencing smoking hemp flower then you’ll know just how distinctive it actually is.

While each strain of hemp flower you encounter will emit a slightly different scent and flavor, there is no mistaking the unique smell of the cannabis plant family, for those with a nose for it (more about hemp flavors and terpenes here).

While cannabinoids don’t actually smell of anything, the terpene profile is what lends each hemp strain its wonderful fragrance and taste. The number of people that smoke CBD flower is on the rise and, as it turns out, they’re not all in it for the CBD alone. Smokable hemp buds offer the most complete full spectrum experience out of all CBD products. More about what full spectrum CBD is here.

What are Terpenes?

Terpenes are a diverse group of organic hydrocarbons contributing to the overall aroma, flavor, and color of a plant. These aromatic compounds are present in many plants and, surprisingly, even in some insects.

Hemp, like mint, pine, cilantro, and lavender, are all easily recognizable by their aroma alone and that’s all thanks to the specific combination of terpenes found in each one.

In fact, all plants with particularly intense aromas contain terpenes and scientists currently estimate that there are over 20,000 different terpenes in the plant world.

Terpenes are the primary ingredients of what we refer to as the ‘essential oils’ of a plant and they are a vital part of a plant’s defence system, helping to repel herbivores, bacteria, and fungi, as well as attracting predators to eat pests.

See our complete terpene guide here

Why are Terpenes Important to Us?

Humans have been extracting essential oils from plants for thousands of years and we find many uses for terpenes, primarily in perfumes and traditional medicine, but in food and drink as well.

The terpenes found in each hemp strain affect the quality of the consumer experience. A complex terpene profile results in smokable hemp flower that announces itself to your nose willingly and lingers lazily on your tongue. Many people smoke CBD purely for the gratification as it smells and tastes so damn delicious!

Terpenes also contribute to the entourage effect, which is when the effects achieved from the whole plant are greater than the sum of its parts separately.

Terpenes have been found to work in synergy with cannabinoids to produce enhanced effects, so a plant’s terpene profile may be the reason why users find that one strain works better for them than another.

Terpenes may also contribute to consumer experience, because they are thought to be able to work in similar ways to traditional medicines. In fact, at the mere mention of essential oils, and many people realize that they’ve been using terpenes in aromatherapy for many years already.

Terpenes in CBD Hemp Flower

So, while the existence of cannabinoids may be what makes the cannabis family of plants so unique, terpenes shouldn’t be ignore. The role they have to play in your overall enjoyment and experience is significant.

The combination of terpenes within each strain of hemp is unique and is known as the strain’s terpene profile. While some 200 different terpenes have been identified in hemp thus far, some of the more prolific terpenes include:

• Myrcene – the most widespread terpene found in the widest range of hemp strains. It has an earthy, fruity scent and is also found in sage, hops, thyme, and caraway.
• Alpha-Pinene – the most abundant terpene found in nature. It has a piney smell which is (unsurprisingly) abundant in pine and conifer trees.
• D-Limonene – another frequent terpene found in hemp which boasts a characteristic citrus scent and is also found in abundance in citrus fruit rinds.
• Linalool – emits an unmistakable floral aroma, lending lavender its unique fragrance.
• Geranial – is similar to a sweet, floral, rosy bouquet, with citrus nuances that can also be found in roses and lemongrass.
• Beta-Caryophyllene – will add a slightly peppery, almost spicy aroma and taste, to hemp. This terpene is responsible for giving black pepper and cloves their aromas.
• Humulene – injects the earthy, woody, and spicy scent to hops.
• Terpinolene – has smokey, woody notes that can also be detected in nutmeg, tea tree, and conifers.
• Delta 3 Carene – known for its sweet and earthy fragrance with piney undertones. It is also found in rosemary, basil, and bell pepper.
• Bisabolol – has a light, sweet and floral scent and is also found in chamomile.

CBD hemp flower will always offer the most reliable source of terpenes, because these compounds have the high vapor points. Depending on the extraction process used to make CBD oils and tinctures, many, if not all of the terpenes, can be lost from the end product during manufacturing.

Crude extraction techniques that involve heating the compounds to  high temperatures and pressures, for example, can lose the terpenes to evaporation.

Terpenes: Improving Your Experience

Many people choose smokable hemp flower because of the purity of the product and the quality of the experience and we understand that terpenes are just as important as cannabinoids when it comes to your experience.

Expertly cultivated hemp flower will allow you to enjoy a flavorsome and fragrant joint without the high. That’s why, at Green Unicorn Farms, we’ll never stop searching for the cleanest, richest and most aromatic premium hemp flower available in the U.S.

Whether you’re looking for CBD flower cultivated indoors, outdoors, or in a greenhouse, we’ll only share the best that we find with you, from the country’s most experienced growers.

Green Unicorns are hard to find but it’s the challenge that drives us forward. We only hunt what’s worth hunting and we only share what’s worth smoking.