If you’ve ever opened a cannabis package and noticed aromas of citrus, pine, berries, herbs or spice, terpenes are part of the reason why.
Terpenes are naturally occurring aromatic compounds found in many plants—not just cannabis. They help give different cannabis strains their distinctive smell and flavour.
At Wychwood Cannabis on St. Clair in Toronto, customers often focus on THC percentage when choosing cannabis, but the terpene profile can provide additional information about what makes one product different from another.
So, what exactly are terpenes, and what do the names on a cannabis label mean?
What Are Terpenes?
Terpenes are aromatic compounds produced naturally by plants. They’re found in everything from citrus fruits and lavender to pine trees, herbs and cannabis.
In cannabis, different combinations and concentrations of terpenes contribute to the plant’s aroma and flavour.
Some legal cannabis products list their dominant terpenes on the package, while others provide a total terpene percentage.
You may also hear certain experiences associated with particular terpenes. Research into how individual terpenes may influence the effects of cannabis is still developing, so a terpene shouldn’t be treated as a guarantee of how a product will make you feel.
Myrcene
Myrcene is one of the more commonly occurring terpenes found in cannabis. It can also be found naturally in plants such as hops and lemongrass.
Its aroma is often described as earthy, herbal or musky.
Aroma: Earthy, herbal and musky.
Limonene
As its name suggests, limonene is associated with citrus aromas. It occurs naturally in the peels of lemons, oranges and other citrus fruits.
Cannabis strains containing significant amounts of limonene may have a noticeably bright, citrus-forward aroma.
Aroma: Lemon, citrus and fresh.
Caryophyllene
Caryophyllene is found naturally in black pepper, cloves and other spices.
It tends to produce a warm, peppery or spicy aroma and is commonly found in many cannabis varieties.
Aroma: Peppery, spicy and woody.
Pinene
Pinene gets its name from its familiar pine-like aroma. It’s also naturally present in pine trees, rosemary and other plants.
When prominent in cannabis, it can contribute a fresh, woody or forest-like scent.
Aroma: Pine, fresh herbs and wood.
Linalool
Linalool is well known for its floral aroma and is also naturally present in lavender.
In cannabis, it may contribute softer floral, herbal and slightly sweet notes to the overall terpene profile.
Aroma: Floral, lavender and herbal.
Terpinolene
Terpinolene can have a more complex aroma than some other terpenes. Depending on the combination of compounds around it, people may describe it as floral, herbal, citrusy or slightly woody.
Aroma: Floral, herbal, fresh and slightly citrusy.
Why Look at Terpenes When Choosing Cannabis?
Two cannabis products with similar THC levels can have very different aromas, flavours and overall profiles.
Looking at the dominant terpenes can therefore tell you more about the characteristics of the product than THC percentage alone.
For example, someone who enjoys citrus-forward cannabis might look for products containing limonene, while someone who prefers earthy or peppery aromas may gravitate toward products containing myrcene or caryophyllene.
That doesn’t mean a particular terpene guarantees a particular experience. Cannabis affects everyone differently, and factors such as cannabinoids, dosage, consumption method and individual response all matter.
THC, Cannabinoids and Terpenes: The Bigger Picture
Think of the cannabis label as giving you several pieces of information.
THC and other cannabinoids tell you about the cannabinoid content, while terpenes can tell you more about the product’s aromatic and flavour profile.
Rather than choosing cannabis based solely on whether it’s labelled Indica, Sativa or Hybrid, looking at its cannabinoids and dominant terpenes can give you a more complete picture of what’s actually in the product.
The Bottom Line
Terpenes are one of the reasons cannabis can smell and taste so different from one product to another.
Learning common terpenes such as myrcene, limonene, caryophyllene, pinene, linalool and terpinolene can make cannabis labels much easier to understand.
If you’re looking at a cannabis product and aren’t sure what its terpene profile means, visit Wychwood Cannabis on St. Clair in Toronto. We can help you read the product information and understand the differences between the options available.
For adults of legal age. Cannabis affects everyone differently. Start low and go slow, and always follow the directions on the product label.