Terpenes has been a big buzz word in cannabis for almost a decade now. Growers and shoppers look to the numbers to pick out what flavors they want in a flower - solely based off a lab report.
While terpenes certainly have a major affect on the overall effects of a flower on the consumer, their importance in the aromas in cannabis is hugely overstressed.
A flower that tests at 5% terpenes can smell less pungent than a flower with 2% terpenes.
The reason? Terpenes are only responsible for a portion of the aromas in cannabis. There are a myriad of other volatile compounds that make up what you smell and taste in a cannabis flower and many are vastly more important than terpenes.
Want proof?
There are no terpenes that produce the skunky aroma we associate with cannabis. It is actually produced by a compound called 3-methyl-2-butene-1-thiol (321MBT). You can check the published finding here.
How about that "Gas" or that "Diesel?"
Nope. Sulphur compounds. Abstrax Tech has been doing some incredible research on the topic and its definitely worth checking out.
What it all boils down to is our own senses are the only way we can decide whether we like the smell of flower or not - and just like THC content - not by the numbers on a lab report.
The testing required for all of the additional volatile compounds is incredibly expensive and at the end of the day we all smell things differently. Our crew met weekly for 6 months and went over the smells of a pile of different compounds and cannabis flowers and while some could agree on what they thought the smell was - we all had slightly different answers most of the time.
The other caveat being every compounds aroma intensity is wildly different. We can use terpinolene for example - even when not present in large quantities it over powers other aroma compounds that are in higher quantities. This is true for every other compound, there can be a tiny amount of one that over powers all the others.
Still think it's all about the terps bro?
A Few Other Key Findings -
Rice and Koziel (2015) found that aldehydes play an equal or stronger role in the aromatic presentation of cannabis. They determined that the aldehydes listed below* can be present in concentrations large enough to rival or exceed the olfactory impact of terpenes.
Key Aldehydes*
Acetic acid
Acetic acid, also known as ethanoic acid, is an organic chemical compound best recognized for giving vinegar its sour taste and pungent smell. Pure water-free acetic acid (glacial acetic acid) is a colorless hygroscopic liquid and freezes below 16.7°C (62°F) to a colourless crystalline solid.
Acetamide
Acetamide based derivatives are potential anti-microbial, antifungal agents, used as disinfectants. Cigarette smoking triggers acetamide release. It is a minor byproduct of paracetamol degradation. Acetamide is carcinogenic in rats. Taste very bitter; volatilises on exposure to air and sunlight.
Benzaldehyde
Benzaldehyde (C6H5CHO) is an organic compound consisting of a benzene ring with a formyl substituent. It is the simplest aromatic aldehyde and one of the most industrially useful. It is a colorless liquid with a characteristic almond-like odor.
Heptanal
Heptanal or heptanaldehyde is an alkyl aldehyde. It is a colourless liquid with a strong fruity odor, which is used as precursor to components in perfumes and lubricants.
Methylisohexenyl ketone
Pepper, mushroom, rubber.
2-ethylhexanol
It is encountered in natural plant fragrances, and the odor has been reported as “heavy, earthy, and slightly floral” for the R enantiomer and “a light, sweet floral fragrance” for the S enantiomer.
Decanal
Decanal is a saturated fatty aldehyde formally arising from reduction of the carboxy group of capric acid (decanoic acid). It has a role as an antifungal agent, a fragrance and a plant metabolite. It is a saturated fatty aldehyde, a n-alkanal and a medium-chain fatty aldehyde. Waxy, fatty, citrus and orange peel with a slight green melon nuance.
Hexanal
Hexanal, also called hexanaldehyde or caproaldehyde, is an alkyl aldehyde used in the flavor industry to produce fruity flavors. Its scent resembles freshly cut grass, like cis-3-hexenal. It is potentially useful as a natural extract that prevents fruit spoilage.
2-chloroacetophenone
Has a floral odor. Used as a riot control agent. The main uses for 2-chloroacetophenone are in tear gas and in chemical Mace. It is a potent eye, throat, and skin irritant.
Octanal
Octanal is the organic compound, an aldehyde, with the chemical formula CH3(CH2)6CHO. A colorless fragrant liquid with a fruit-like odor, it occurs naturally in citrus oils. It is used commercially as a component in perfumes and in flavor production for the food industry.
Pentanal
Pentanal is the organic compound is an alkyl aldehyde, molecular formula C5H10O. It is used in flavorings, resin chemistry, and rubber accelerators. Its smell is described as fermented, bready, fruity, nutty, berry.
Methyl anthranilate
Main ingredient for some bird repellants. Methyl anthranilate, also known as MA, methyl 2-aminobenzoate, or carbomethoxyaniline, is an ester of anthranilic acid. Its chemical formula is C8H9NO2. It has a fruity grape smell, and one of its key uses is as a flavoring agent.
