Terpenes are fragrant oils that give cannabis its scent. These oils aren’t just found in cannabis—they are all over nature in a variety of plants, for the purposes of luring pollinators and repelling predators. Most commonly, terpenes are found in coniferous plants, which are:
- Evergreen trees like pine, hemlock, and spruce
- Have needle leaves
- Feature seed-bearing cones
Terpenes secrete chemical compounds and are what create unique smells in fruits and vegetables, flowers, and herbs. How a plant smells is determined by:
- The number of terpenes in it
- The variety of terpenes that it has
- Which types of terpenes are most dominant
In cannabis, strains have particular scents, with variation within strains as terpene levels can vary between crops. Read on for some reasons why terpenes matter if you’re entering a career in cannabis retail.
Grads of Cannabis Retail Training Should Know that Terpenes Affect Experience
The terpene profile of cannabis can affect the user experience in a few ways:
- Flavour
- Scent
- Effect
As more information becomes available about flavour profiles, it may become more common for an average customer at an AGCO cannabis dispensary to ask about terpenes.
Depending on what a customer is looking for, they will have to choose the correct terpene profile for their needs. However, it is important to note that terpene profiles aren’t on labels as they appear in very low concentrations.
It Can Be Good to Match Common Cannabis Terpenes According to Preferences
Understanding terpenes matters for your career, as after cannabis retail training you’ll be assisting consumers who may not have a strong product knowledge. Common cannabis terpenes appeal to different tastes:
- Myrcene has a musky, earthy, woody scent. It is also found in hops, lemongrass, and thyme.
- Pinene is herbal and leafy and gives pine, rosemary, and sage their scent.
- Limonene is tangy, with a lemon or lime scent. It’s also in citrus fruits and juniper.
- Linalool has a sweet floral, citrusy profile. You can also find it in cinnamon, lavender, and mint.
- Beta-Caryophyllene has a peppery, spicy scent. It also appears in black pepper, cloves, and balsam.
Pinene is present in rosemary
Terpenes Can Affect Product Quality
Various factors can influence the development of terpenes, so there is a link between them and the quality of a product.
- Soil type
- Weather or Climate
- Age and maturation
Soil type can affect the development of terpenes in plants
Certain temperatures can cause terpenes to evaporate, while less-than-ideal conditions can change the terpene profiles of plants. When working in retail, keeping a close watch on product quality is a way to ensure that the stock you receive is appropriate for sale.
With this knowledge, you can make sure your cannabis retail location provides customers with quality products.
Are you interested in how to apply for a cannabis retail licence?
Contact AAPS for more information.