Talking Terpenes Without Getting Highly Technical

Hello All Good Stemians!
It has been a while since my last post on Weed Cash Network. I've been busy researching and learning about terpenes! Let's look at what I found:

image from: https://www.cannabisseedbank.co.za/cannabis-terpenes/

Before ever trying CBD oil, I had ingested a few essential oil combinations (for pain management) with different degrees of success. While trying to learn about how essential oils work, I read a bit about terpenes. As I was trying to understand and learn more about CBD oil, I ran across so much more about terpenes!

Terpenes are secreted from the glands of plants. The terpenes are Mother Nature’s way of attracting pollinators, while repelling threats. The combinations of terpenes present in cannabis vary according to plant type and growing conditions.

image from: https://www.amsterdamseedcenter.com/en/blog/the-green-gold-glands-of-cannabis

Science!

Terpenes are a hydrocarbon - a chemical, and chemicals react and bond with or repel other chemicals. So, terpenes can influence how cannabis affects and works in your body in a multitude of ways!

A thorough discussion of terpenes could be quite complicated! I am not a chemist or a biologist, so I really need to break all this down so I can understand it!

Taste!

Right now, I’m very interested in the difference in taste of the CBD oils I’ve tried so far, and I want to get my hands on more of the minty tasting varieties, so I set out to learn how to go about doing that.

I quickly found out I’m not alone when it comes to my preference for the minty tasting strains of cannabis. MedicalJane.com provides a nice review of the Girl Scout Cookies (GSC) strain.

Due to popularity, there are now several mint and mint cookie hybrids that have cropped up, so to speak. I hope to get my hands on one or more – soon!

MarijuanaBreak.com describes five different mint-flavored strains in a very thorough manner:

• Wonder Kid
• Double Mint (GSC)
• Peppermint Cookies
• Arjan’s Ultra Haze
• Thin Mint (GSC)

After reading about them,
I think I want to try them all!

I also liked the buttery, creme-like taste of my first CBD oil, so I had a tad more searching to do. Come to find out, searching for cannabis according to taste preferences is definitely a thing!

Leafly.com provides a nice summary of terpenes. Regardless of your preferred style of cannabis use, you will find their guide very helpful.

What's Your Flavor?

There are terpenes that have a lemon or citrus flavor. There are spicy, peppery, woodsy, cheesy, and nutty tasting terpenes. And for those that can handle it, check out the diesel varieties!

As more consumers are buying cannabis products, and as new cannabis products continue to be developed, the rising interest in aroma and taste has resulted in more varieties from which to choose.

Pevgrow.com offers a "taste wheel" infographic that helps identify which terpenes provide specific flavors. If you’re like me and want to isolate and understand your favorite cannabis flavors, check it out here.

Now I’m off to find seeds or clones so I can grow my own! I’ll keep you posted on my progress!

Unless otherwise indicated, images are from Giphy.