Ever wonder why certain strains smell and/or taste like citrus and others like diesel? Or, why certain flower tastes differently?

The answer is terpenes. You know, the term everyone in the industry has been buzzing about lately when they aren’t discussing CBD. And they’re rightfully talking about both! That is why we are giving you a look into terpenes.

Terpenes are the aromatic molecules of marijuana which give each strain its particular smell and flavor profile. Terpenes are secreted from trichome glands, just like THC, CBD and other cannabinoids. While the terpenes are mostly known for their aromas, they are as important in the healing process as well.

Just like in aromatherapy forms outside of cannabis consumption, terpenes play a vital part in fields that use essential oils. In cannabis, terpenes create a range of medical effects. Along with CBD and THC, terpenes play a vital role in the entourage effect as well. A 2011 report from Dr. Ethan Russo reported that cannabinoid-terpene interactions “could produce synergy with respect to treatment of pain, inflammation, depression, anxiety, addiction, epilepsy, cancer, fungal and bacterial infections.”

A variety of factors can alter a strain's terpene profile during the growing process from climate to the soil. It is not uncommon to see a profile vary with each harvest. This is a point that both patients and adult use users should take notice of - each harvest may alter your experience to some degree.

It's difficult to put an exact count of terpenes found in cannabis strains. The accepted estimation is around 140, though some will put it lower around 120 as well. Regardless the accurate tally, it is clear that terpenes are abundant in cannabis and make up an essential part of the plant. Today, we will explore some of the most common terpenes you'll find in your strains. We'll also tell you why rosin pressing is one of the best extraction methods for producing a high terpene yield.

The Common Terpenes Found in Rosin

Of the vast world of terpenes, you are likely to come across a handful more than the rest of the hundreds that we know of. When pressing your rosin, you’ll notice that the flavor and aroma last much longer than many other extraction methods (more on that down below). However, if it weren’t for the following terpenes, most of our favorite strains and your rosin yields would not be what they are today.

Myrcene

Myrcene is the most common terpene produced by cannabis. High myrcene levels produce the classic "in da couch" effect that many people use to differentiate indicas from sativas. In addition to cannabis, myrcene can be found in a range of plants from hops to fruits to leaves. Many varieties of hops contain myrcene, which is also why some people feel sleepy after putting a few IPAs down.

Myrcene's medicinal properties promote easier blood movement and allow the effects of the cannabinoid to take effect quicker. Additionally, myrcene is regarded as an analgesic, anti-inflammatory, antibiotic and antimutagenic - in addition to blocking the actions of several carcinogens.

If you've ever been told to consume a mango before consuming cannabis, it's thanks to myrcene. This is due to myrcene being found in the essential oils of citrus fruits.

Common strains with high myrcene content: White Window, Skunk #1, Afghan

Limonene

Limonene is one of the two significant compounds of pinene and produces distinct citrus aromas. Behind myrcene, it is the most common terpene found in marijuana. In addition to cannabis, limonene can be found in the rinds of citrus fruits as well as herbs like rosemary and peppermint.

Limonene is credited with helping improve a user's mood and stress levels. Other studies have linked limonene with abilities to reduce tumor sizes and have antifungal and antibacterial properties. Additionally, it enhances absorption of other terpenes through the digestive tract, mucus and skin. Limonene can be found most often in sativa strains - especially with “lemon” and “sour” named strains.

Common strains with high limonene content: Lemon G, OG Kush, Super Lemon Haze

Linalool

Linalool is a terpene that's credited for easing the conditions of patients with anxiety, depression, epilepsy, arthritis and even cancer. Linalool is found in flowers and spice in addition to cannabis. From a nug of Master Kush to fresh coriander, linalool is prime in giving each herb the spice they are known so well for. With such a strong profile, linalool is known to produce significant relaxing effects.

If you are in the market for a significant high that reduces stress, consider linalool. With studies showing promise in treating even severe anxiety, linalool could see even more prominence as the terpenes wave takes over the industry.

Common strains with high linalool content: LA Confidential, Purple Kush, G-13

Alpha-pinene and Beta-pinene

Of all the plant kingdom, nothing is more abundant than alpha-pinene. Both alpha- and beta-pinene increase of brain's focus and energy levels. Both pinene terpenes are credited with a range of medicinal properties - from slowing and stopping cancer growth to improving memory retention. Pinene terpenes make such a beneficial impact by crossing the blood/brain barrier to affect our neurotransmitters.

Alpha- and beta-pinene's aromas help differentiate the two. With an alpha-pinene terpene, your profile should be filled with a piney aroma. Meanwhile, beta-pinene should produce more of a hoppy, basil profile.

Common strains with high Alpha-pinene and/or Beta-pinene content: Chemdawg, Trainwreck, Jack Herer

Humulene

If you're looking for strains that won't produce the munchies, then humulene is a terpene for you. Known for suppressing hunger, this woody, spicy aroma terpene can also act as an antibacterial, anti-inflammatory and anti-tumor treatment as well. In addition to cannabis sativa, humulene is found in hops, ginger, spearmint, sage and much more.

Common strains with high humulene content: Girl Scout Cookies, Sour Diesel, Skywalker OG

Terpineol

With an aroma of pines and cloves, terpineol is perfect for a wooded flavor profile. With a pleasant aroma, terpineol works well in a range of cosmetics froms soaps to perfume. In addition to being found in cannabis strains, terpineol is found in flowers like blossoms and lilacs, as well as pine trees and some citrus fruit.

A helpful way to find a terpineol-strong strain would be to find strain with high levels of pinene. However, the combination of the two can make the terpineol become hard to pick up when they work together. Even if the aroma is lost, users enjoy this terpene for its ability to work as an antibiotic, sedative, anti-inflammatory and much more.

Common strains with high terpineol content: Girl Scout Cookies, OG Kush, White Widow

Valencene

Valencene's name comes from where it is most abundantly found - a potato.

Kidding, of course. The answer is actually Valencia oranges and just about any sweet citrus fruit around. Just like the refreshing citrus fruit, valencene's flavor profile is one filled with aromatic citrus that helps bring out the best of any orange strain. In addition to making your room smell like a citrus grove, valencene helps users reduce inflammation and acts as an insect repellent.

In addition to these common terpenes, numerous secondary terps can be found in your strains. Like the primary strains in your rosin yields, these terpenes can impact the flavor and experience you have with your strains. If you’d like to learn more about each terpene, be sure to visit Leafly’s in-depth analysis as well as SC Labs.

Common strains with high valencene content: Tangie, Agent Orange, Sour Diesel

Terpenes and Rosin Growing Stronger Together

If you want your cannabis products to maintain its robust terpene profile, then rosin pressing has to be a go-to solution for you. If you're a processing facility, a rosin press machine makes sense for your business on multiple levels. The same can be said for personal producers looking for a top of the line yield.

When done correctly, rosin pressing preserves terpenes for a flavor final product. Note that each terpene has a different boiling point. Be sure to set your press to the proper temperature, to get the best outcome for your yield.

Today, rosin produces high terpene content that contends with the best in the market. For example, the yields for Proper Extracts's Double Banana and Banana Splits both exceeded 81% or more total active cannabinoids. At the 2017 Chalice competition, Double Banana took home the Highest Terpenes category for rosin while Banana Splits won first place for sativa rosin.

While those two examples may have topped to competition, they aren’t the exception to the rule. In fact, they are fast becoming the norm. Rosin often tests as high as butane extraction (BH) and other concentrates on the market today in terms of terpene content, and sometimes more. Furthermore, unlike BHO, a rosin pressing process does not strip the terpenes out of the flower’s oil.  

With a rosin press machine, you can preserve the terpenes of your flower and hash. The machine’s effectiveness is so potent that hash rosin in particular is sought after by numerous high-brow cannabis consumers. When seeking out the good stuff, they have turned to full plant, fresh frozen hash rosin more and more in recent years.

You deserve the best flavors and aromas possible from your products. With a superior process from a PurePressure rosin press machine, you give yourself the quality product you and your customers deserve. Instead of stripping away terpenes, preserve every last bit of oil. Regardless if you’re making a yield for a night in with friends or selling to the mass market, that preservation will show through when each hit is taken. Not only will the flavor come through, so will the healing effects that provide the complete entourage effect marijuana is intended to provide us.

Get The Best Out of Your Terpenes

Terpenes transcend cannabis. They are the healing, flavorful components to an uncertain amount of the world’s most pungent aromas. The world of terpenes continues to grow to this day. In cannabis, terpene preservation has not always been regarded as a necessary step in the process. Nowadays, that is changing dramatically with terpene preservation or separation becoming its own hallmark of quality and authenticity.

Instead, with a rosin press, you can not only preserve your terpenes. You are also able to control the boiling points to match the needs of your rosin. Now out of the shadows of the DIY era, serious rosin pressers can set and press the exact temperature to get the best from their yield. Regenerating these ideal yields is now just as easy with the Pikes Peak and Longs Peak Rosin Press where you can save up to 30 recipes.

As rosin tech continues to advance, it stands a great chance or remaining a leader in terpene preservation and overall yields. In just a few years, the market has made leaps in catching up to large-scale extraction methods and continue to close the gap. As the market demand continues focusing more on solventless rosin and terpenes at large, getting into the rosin press business makes sense now more than ever.