Understanding Cannabis Terpenes and Their Aromatic Profiles
Cannabis is a complex plant containing many naturally occurring compounds, and terpenes are among the most interesting of them. Terpenes are aromatic compounds found throughout nature, including in fruits, flowers, herbs, spices, and trees. They are responsible for many of the recognizable smells associated with plants. In cannabis, terpenes contribute to the distinctive aromas that can range from earthy and woody to citrusy, floral, fruity, or spicy. Learning about these compounds can make it easier to understand why different cannabis varieties can have noticeably different aromatic profiles even when they belong to similar categories. One of the most important things to understand about terpenes is that they are not unique to cannabis. For example, limonene is also naturally present in citrus fruits and is commonly associated with a fresh lemon-like aroma. Pinene can be found in pine trees and has a characteristic forest-like scent. Myrcene occurs in several plants and is ofte...