Have you ever wondered what makes weed have so many different smells and flavors, from lemon to shortbread?

Well, the answer lies in the terpenes that each cannabis strain produces.

The taste of weed: Terpenes.

What are terpenes and how can I use them?

Terpenes are a type of organic isomers found in all plants, including cannabis. They are responsible for the different aromas perceptible to humans as well as having therapeutic effects on the human body. There are a wide range of terpenes in the world but only around 100 have been identified in cannabis, and each strain of the plant usually has a unique terpene profile. Some common terpenes in cannabis include myrcene, limonene and linalool.

Do terpenes influence taste?

Terpenes are responsible for the unique aromas and flavors of each cannabis genetics, breeders often crossbreed genetics experimentally to get new strains with specific terpene profiles. Each terpene produces different flavors, from citrus and fruity to earthy and woody. In addition to contributing to the flavor of cannabis, terpenes have therapeutic effects and can interact with cannabinoids such as THC and CBD to produce a phenomenon known as the entourage effect.

Do terpenes have a therapeutic effect?

Although research on the therapeutic effects of terpenes is still in its early stages, there are already documented studies. The practice of aromatherapy is an example of this,  a form of therapy known to use essential oils from plants to relax the body, help with concentration, pain, and other conditions. Other terpenes may have antibacterial and antifungal properties. However, it is important to note that more research is needed to understand the therapeutic effects of terpenes fully and how they can be used to treat different conditions.

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Relationship between terpenes and flavor.

Here is a list of some common terpenes found in cannabis and the flavors they are associated with:

• Myrcene: earthy, musky.
• Limonene: citrusy, fruity
• Linalool: floral, lavender
• Pinene: piney, woody
• Caryophyllene: spicy, woody
• Terpinolene: woody, floral
• Humulene: earthy, woody
• Nerolidol: woody, floral
• Geraniol: floral, rose
• Ocimene: sweet, floral

Some cannabis strains may have high levels of certain terpenes that give them a particular aroma or flavor, while other strains may have lower levels of these terpenes. Cannabis breeders often do a lot of hard work mixing phenotypes in order to obtain original terpene profiles in their plants, which can be replicated and stabilized to obtain harvests with homogeneous results. 

Cultivation and curing processes can influence the terpene profile of a particular cannabis genetics. Factors such as temperature, humidity and light exposure during the cultivation process can affect the production and expression of terpenes in the plant. Likewise, curing and storage processes are responsible for the fixation and preservation of terpenes in the final product. 

A cannabis strain with high levels of the terpene limonene may have a strong aroma and citrus flavor.

A cannabis strain with high levels of the terpene linalool could have a floral, lavender aroma and flavor.

A cannabis strain with high levels of the terpene myrcene may have an earthy, musky aroma and flavor.

A cannabis strain with high levels of the terpene pinene may have a piney, woody aroma and taste.

If you want to experiment with terpenes we recommend this table that relates the use of terpenes with cannabis strains and flavor: