choosing terpenes Terpenes are the aromatic compounds found in plants and are the building blocks that are present in essential oils. They have become indispensable products in the medical and recreational fields. Using different terpene products can produce varied results, affecting the taste, strength, and profile of whatever mixture it is added to. As a distributor, you need to choose your stocks carefully to cater to your customers’ needs.
Studies on terpenes are relatively new, but one study suggests that its smell can influence what people think on the value and potency of a strain. That said, knowing more about what to look for in terpenes could help you field questions from your buyers, besides keeping business running smoothly. Below is a quick crash course on what you should look for in these oils.
What to Look for When Selecting Terpenes
Terpene Profile
You have probably heard someone refer to the terpene profile of hemp as being strong, dank, or citrusy. There are two things to clear up about this statement: First, terpene profiles are not just about the scent, second, terpenes do not always refer to hemp. It just so happens that terpenes are potent in hemp—and that’s what gives its distinct aroma.
Now that you can differentiate, what terpene profiles are is a mixture of terpenes that combine its benefits, smell, and flavor. That said, you would also want to know what effects a specific terpene profile has and not just rely on its smell for salability. Some medical-grade strains have been said to help people breathe better; some are also believed to reduce pain, while others may experience a calming effect.
Knowing what your market wants means studying what they desire from a specific terpene profile and combining it with a flavor and aroma that goes well with many other things. Otherwise, your customers may be in for a surprise when they experience undisclosed effects from using different products.
choosing terpenes- Extraction Method
There are a few extraction methods for terpenes, all of which can alter its potency and resulting characteristics. Here are the most common extraction methods:
- Hydro distillation – This process uses heat by way of boiling the plant (or the source of the terpene). The condensed mixture of water and oil extracted from the plant gets released. After which, it goes through a distillation process to remove the water from the mixture. The oil that’s left is the terpene.
- Hydrocarbon extraction – This method uses the help of a solvent to extract the oils, usually butane or propane. It’s able to strip the desired chemical compounds—the terpene makeup—from the plants. The oils extracted are further refined by removing the hydrocarbons to create a pure oil.
- Mechanical separation – A machine is used to apply heat and pressure on the plant’s buds to squeeze oil out of it. However, mechanically separated terpenes are not guaranteed to be completely isolated, so there is a chance it’s not as pure as other methods.
- CO2 extraction – Another way is using a supercritical or subcritical CO2 extraction machine. It uses a sophisticated process called fractionation to separate the terpenes from the other components of the plant.
Knowing the extraction method used on the terpene profile you’re supplying will help you determine how pure and what grade it is. This means you might prefer terpenes extracted in a particular way over others to ensure the best customer experience.
choosing terpenes- Food Grade Terpenes
Anything classified as food-grade usually means they are safe to consume or mix with other food—in the right quantities. You must properly determine which terpenes are ingestible, as they are not interchangeable. Since some terpenes can be added to various other products, you need to be mindful of what you advertise or sell to your customers.
On the topic of adding food-grade terpenes to other products, it’s important to remember that there are recommended healthy and dangerous doses for each type of terpene. Everything you sell must come with labeled instructions on how to safely dilute and infuse them, which concentrations are considered safe in food, and how they comply with local and federal food regulations.
Part and parcel of selling terpenes means you are liable for any health issues that may arise in the subsequent use of a consumer from the products you sold, so it’s important to stay informed. Certificate Of Analysis (COA) is a good way to determine the quality of terpenes. They can be tested for things such as residual solvent, heavy metals, persitides, terpene potency, organoleptic, and more.
choosing terpenes- Choose Only the Best and Purest
High-quality terpenes are hard to come by, which is why it’s crucial to find a trusted source (like Medical Terpenes) for these oils. Sellers and distributors should always stick to verified authentic terpene manufacturers to foster safe and comfortable experiences with their buyers.
We offer two 100% organic strain-specific, full-spectrum, botanically-derived terpene profile products that are sure to fit your customers’ needs. At Medical Terpenes, flavor matters most.
Find out why we’re a cut above the rest by inquiring with us today!
