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What are terpenes?

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Terpenes give cannabis strains their unique aromas.

Highlights:

  • Terpenes are fragrant oils found in many types of plants that produce a unique taste and smell.
  • The tastes and smells of the terpenes in cannabis products range from woodsy to spicy to citrusy sweet.
  • Many terpenes are unique to cannabis.
 

Cannabis gets its scent from compounds in the plants called terpenes. Terpenes are fragrant oils found in many types of plants, especially coniferous (evergreen) varieties. The chemical compounds they secrete give fruits, vegetables, flowers and herbs their signature scents. There are over 100 identified terpenes, many of which are unique to the cannabis plant.

 

Although cannabis is often generally associated with a certain musky aroma, each strain of cannabis has its own scent. The individual scent of a strain will be based on the number and type of terpenes present and which ones are dominant. Terpene scents range from spicy and peppery to earthy and woodsy to floral and fruity.

 

Making this equation even more complex, each terpene can itself have multiple aroma profiles. Also, terpene levels can vary from crop to crop, which can lead to inconsistencies in the scents within the same strain.

Why are Terpenes Important?

We all have individual preferences for smells and tastes, so knowing the terpene profile of a cannabis product can help you choose one with a scent and flavour profile you’d most likely prefer.

 

Since many terpenes are associated with various types of plants and herbs used in naturopathic remedies, some theorize that terpenes play a role in the effect of cannabis. For instance, linalool, a common terpene found in lavender, may be associated with relaxation. We believe in the “the entourage effect,” referring that cannabinoids and terpenes work together in the overall effect of cannabis.

Top 5 Most Common Terpenes Found in Cannabis:

  • Myrcene
  • Pinene
  • Limonene
  • Linalool
  • Beta-Caryophyllene

Terpenes: Complex Aromas in Cannabis

Earthy & Woody:

  • Myrcene – Scents: Musk, Earth, Ripe Fruit – Found in: Mango, Lemongrass, Hops, Thyme
  • Humulene – Scents: Woody, Earth – Found in: Hops, Coriander
  • Terpinolene – Scents: Smoke, Wood, Pine – Found in: Apples, Cumin, Lilac, Tea Tree Oil, Conifers
  • Borneol – Scents: Menthol, Camphor, Rich Earth – Found in: Wormwood, Cinnamon
  • Nerolidol – Scents: Wood, Bark, Flowers, Apples – Found in: Citronella, Ginger, Orange Peel
  • Cedrene – Scents: Ceder, Amber, Sandalwood, Patchouli – Found in: Ceder
  • Carene – Scents: Earth, Pine, Forest Scents, Citrus – Found in: Bell Pepper, Pine, Citrus Fruits
  • Alpha Pinene – Scents: Pine, Rosemary – Found in: Pines, Conifers, Rosemary, Sage

Spicy:

  • Beta-Caryophyllene – Scents: Peppery Spice, Wood – Found in: Black Pepper, Cloves, Balsam
  • Sabinene – Scents: Wood, Pepper, Spices – Found in: Oak, Tea Tree Oil, Black Pepper, Carrot Seed
  • Terpineol – Scents: Florals, Lilac, Lime, Cardamom, Clove – Found in: Cypress, Juniper Berries, Cardamom, Marjoram, Thyme
  • Borneol – Scents: Menthol, Camphor, Rich Earth – Found in: Wormwood, Cinnamon

Sweet, florals & fruity:

  • Linalool – Scents: Sweet Flowers, Citrus – Found in: Lavender and many flowers, mint and cinnamon
  • Ocimene – Scents: Flowers, Fruit, Herbs – Found in: mint, parsley, pepper, basil, mango and orchids
  • Geraniol – Scents: Geranium, Rose, Citronella, Stone Fruits – Found in: Geraniums, tobacco and lemons
  • Bisabolol – Scents: Fresh Flowers – Found in: Chamomile
  • Nerolidol – Scents: Wood, Bark, Flowers, Apples – Found in: Citronella, Ginger, Orange Peele
  • Terpineol – Scents: Florals, Lilac, Lime, Cardamom, Clove – Found in: Cypress, Juniper Berries, Cardamom, Marjoram, Thyme
  •  

Tangy citrus:

  • Limonene – Scents: Lemon or Lime – Found in: Citrus Fruits, Juniper
  • Valencene – Scents: Oranges, Tangerines or Grapefruit – Found in: Citrus fruits, Valencia oranges
  • Phellandrene – Scents: Citrus, Mint, Herbs, Pepper – Found in: Eucalyptus, Pine, Parsley, Dill, Mint, Lavender
  • Cymene – Scents: Tangy Oranges, Carrots, Musk – Found in: Cumin, Thyme
  • Carene – Scents: Earth, Pine, Forest Scents, Citrus – Found in: Bell Pepper, Pine, Citrus Fruits
  •  

Herbal & Leafy:

  • Alpha Pinene – Scents: Pine, Rosemary – Found in: Pines, Conifers, Rosemary, Sage
  • Beta Pinene – Scents: Dill, Parsley, Basil – Found in: Pines, Conifers, Rosemary, Sage
  • Eucalyptol – Scents: Eucalyptus, Mint, Spice – Found in: Eucalyptus
  • Ocimene – Scents: Flower, Fruit, Herbs – Found in: Mint, Parsley, Pepper, Basil, Mango and Orchids
  • Fenchol – Scents: Camphor, Pine, Lemon – Found in: Basil
  • Menthol – Scents: Cooling Mint – Found in: Various Mints
  • Phytol – Scents: Green Tea, Light Florals, Jasmine, Balsam – Found in: Green tea
  • Isopulegol – Scents: Sweet Mint, Eucalyptus – Found in: Eucalyptus, Lemongrass, Geranium
  • Phellandrene – Scents: Citrus, Mint, Herbs, Pepper – Found in: Eucalyptus, Pine, Parsley, Dill, Mint, Lavender
  • Pulegone – Scents: Mint, Camphor – Found in: Peppermint, Catnip, Pennyroyal

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