Terpenes As Aroma & Flavoring Agents

Terpenes are the scent molecules found in all plants and serve as a major component of plant resins. This makes them the primary ingredients of any given plant’s essential oil. Thus, terpenes contribute to providing the unique essence, or aromatic fingerprint, we associate with familiar botanical species.Although terpenes are found in most plants and some insects, today they are widely recognized as the potent molecules that give the cannabis plant its unique aroma, flavor, and therapeutic qualities. The essential oil derived from cannabis contains the pure essence (flavor, scent) of the plant from which it is extracted. Even the untrained nose can identify differences of citrus, spicy, to herbal and skunky, woody, piney, diesel, and coffee. We have terpenes to thank for it all, and cannabis provides a spectrum of profiles for every palette.At Lab Effects our clients use terpenes to add flavor, fragrance, and therapeutic value to their product formulations. By isolating and extracting botanical or cannabis terpenes, we’re able to capture these diverse aromas and flavors and create much broader profile formulations.We’ve broken down some of the most common isolated terpenes by their four key aromas and flavors, equipping you with everything you need to formulate an edible so tasty we’ll want to bring it to our next potluck.

Alpha-Pinene

Aromatic Profile: Sharp, sweet, fresh and pinyBotanical Sources: Pine and conifer trees, rosemary, orange peelsAssociated Cannabis Strains: Jack Herer, Dutch Treat, OG Kush, Blue Dream, ChemDawg, Trainwreck, Romulan, Island Sweet Skunk, Strawberry Cough, Bubba Kush

Beta-Pinene

Aromatic Profile: Fresh, piny, earthy, spicyBotanical Sources: Cedar, pine, and conifer trees, dill, eucalyptus, oranges, parsley, rosemary, basilAssociated Cannabis Strains: Jack Herer, Dutch Treat, Romulan, Blue Dream, Island Sweet Skunk, OG Kush, Bubba Kush, ChemDawg, God Bud, LA Confidential, Mango Haze, Strawberry Cough, Haze Berry, Royal Jack, Trainwreck

Carene

Aromatic Profile: Sweet, piny, woody, pungentBotanical Sources: Turpentine, rosemary, basil, pepper, cedarAssociated Cannabis Strains: Lemon Shining Silver Haze, Skunk XL, Arjan’s Ultra Haze #2, Super Silver Haze, Lemon Haze

Limonene

Aromatic Profile: Citrusy, bitterBotanical Sources: Citrus fruits, piny, rosemary, mint, fennel, juniper, cannabisAssociated Cannabis Strains: Cookies and Cream, Dirty Girl, Lemon G, Liberty Haze, Emerald Jack, Shining Silver Haze

Myrcene

Aromatic Profile: Fruity, earthy, clove-likeBotanical Sources: Sweet basil, hops, mangosAssociated Cannabis Strains: OG Kush, Remedy, 9 Pound Hammer, Grape Ape, FPOG, AK-47, Granddaddy Purple, Blue Dream, Tangie, Harlequin

Para-Cymene

Aromatic Profile: Citrusy, sweetBotanical Sources: Cumin, thyme, angelica root, bay leaves, basil, carrot seed, cloves, clary sage, grapefruit, anise, oregano, eucalyptus, coriander, mace

Beta-Caryophyllene

Aromatic Profile: Woody, spicyBotanical Sources: Black pepper, basil, copaiba, black caraway, oregano, lavender, allspice, fig, roman chamomile, cloves, hops, cinnamon, ylang-ylang, rosemary, cannabisAssociated Cannabis Strains: Royal Cookies, OG Kush, White Widow, Death Star, Blueberry Cheesecake, Candyland, GSC, Cookies and Cream, GG4, Purple Punch

Humulene

Aromatic Profile: Earthy, woody, spicyBotanical Sources: Hops, cannabis, basil, clove, black pepper, sage, ginsengAssociated Cannabis Strains: Death Star, Headband, Thin Mint GSC, Original Glue, Candyland, White Widow, Pink Kush, Bubba Kush, Super Lemon Haze, Sour Diesel, Skywalker OG

Terpinolene

Aromatic Profile: Smoky, woody, herbalBotanical Sources: Lilac, tea tree, nutmeg, pine trees, apples, cannabis, cuminAssociated Cannabis Strains: Dutch Treat, Sensi Star, J1, Super Jack, Lemon Sour Diesel, Afghani, Jean Guy, Super Lemon Haze, Arjan’s Haze #3, Sour Tangie, Snowcap, Shipwreck, Sour Tsunami

Citronellol

Aromatic Profile: Floral, rose, citrusBotanical Sources: Lemongrass, rose, geranium, chamomile, sandalwood, cannabis, catnip Associated Cannabis Strains: Amnesia Haze, Great White Shark, Island Sweet Skunk

Geraniol

Aromatic Profile: Sweet, rose, slightly citrusyBotanical Sources: Rose, palmarosa, citronella, geranium, lemonAssociated Cannabis Strains: Afghan, Skunk Headband, Island Sweet Skunk, Afghani, Lavender, Amnesia Haze

Linalool

Aromatic Profile: Floral, spicyBotanical Sources: Lavender, laurel, cinnamon, rosewood, mint, birch trees, citrus fruitsAssociated Cannabis Strains: Amnesia Haze, Special Kush, Lavender, LA Confidential, OG Shark

Interested to learn more about the flavors and aromas of pure isolated terpenes? Check out our terpene glossary or email us at info@labeffects.com.