From the uplifting floral and citrus scents in a florists shop, to the sedating effect of the lavender on your pillow at night, to the mind clearing effect from walking amongst pine trees, these effects are all caused by terpenes.

Terpenes are a large and diverse class of organic compounds produced by a wide variety of plants. There are at least 20,000 terpenes found in nature. Cannabis produces more than 200 of these which act synergistically with the cannabinoids to produce what is known as the ‘entourage effect’, which fits with the holistic concept that; ‘the whole is greater than the sum of the parts.’ The combination and different ratios of individual terpenes are what gives a cannabis variety its unique smell.

The genetics, combined with growing environment, determine the levels and combination of terpenes produced by the plant. The same plant variety grown in 2 different soils, or climatic conditions, can produce different ratios of the terpenes that are available within its genotype. Soil quality, temperature, and UV exposure play a large role in influencing a plants terpene production.

After harvesting, a certain amount of terpenes will oxidise and evaporate in the drying process. Care and attention has to be taken during the drying process, which can’t be rushed, to avoid the volatile compounds being overly degraded.

We’ve put together a chart to help you associate some of the familiar tastes and smells you can come across in different cannabis extracts.

Terpenes

Alpha-Bisabolol

Camphene

Delta-3-Carene

Camphene

Caryophyllene Oxide

P-Cymene

Eucalptol

Alpha-Humulene

Isopulegol

Geraniol

Guaiol

Alpha-Pinene

Beta-Myrcene

Limonene

Linalool

Cis-Nerolidol

Trans-Nerolidol

Ocimene

Alpha-Terpinene

Gamma-Terpinene

Alpha-Terpineol

Terpinolene

Aroma

Floral

Pungent

Sweet, Earthy

Spicy

Woody

Sweet, Pungent Spicy

Spicy

Woody, Spicy, Clove

Minty

Rose

Woody

Herbal

Spicy

Citrus

Floral

Floral, Fruity

Floral, Fruity

Floral

Woody Odor

Terpenic

Citrus

Fresh, Woody, Sweet

Taste

Floral, Peppery

Turpentine

Terpenic

Spicy

Woody

Sweet, Pungent

Minty

Woody, Spicy, Clove

Minty

Floral

Woody

Herbal

Spicy

Citrus

Floral

Floral, Fruity

Floral, Fruity

Floral, Green

Terpenic

Terpenic

Terpenic

Woody

All Found In

Chamomile

Camphor, Ginger

Turpentine

Black Pepper, Cloves

Beta-Caryophyllene

Cumin, Thyme

Eucalyptus

Hops, Sage, Ginger

Mint, Eucalyptus

Rose Oil, Lemongrass

Cypress Pine, Conifers

Conifers, Rosemary

Wild Thyme, Hops

Citrus Fruits

Lavender

Ginger, Jasmine

Ginger, Jasmine

All Spice, Basil

Eucalyptus, Juniper

Citrus

Bitter Orange Tree

Pinegum, Mandarin