Nothing beats the taste of fresh weed or a new strain you’ve never tried before. Just like coffee, each strain of weed has its own unique taste. This taste carries over no matter how you choose to use it, but it’s particularly noticeable when you light up freshly ground bud. The delicious taste you’ve come to associate with your favorite buds from your Denver dispensary comes mostly from terpenes. 

What Are Terpenes?

Terpenes are a concentrated oil found cannabis plants. They’re produced by the same part of the plant that creates CBD and THC and, in nature, repel harmful insects. These same oils also serve to attract bees, wasps, and other pollinators to help spread their pollen. Some strains have more terpenes than others while other strains have terpenes that are incredibly mild and almost indiscernible. 

What Terpenes Do

The most noticeable effect terpenes have on the smoking experience is the taste of the bud. To better determine what types of flavors you can expect, growers have incorporated the tastes into the names of some of the most common strains. Grapefruit Diesel strains have a tart almost fuel-like smell when whole and when lit, taste a bit like grapefruit. Banana Kush buds, on the other hand, smell strongly of banana leaves when whole and when lit, taste sweet like bananas. 

In addition to determining the flavor of the strain, terpenes are also thought to influence each strain’s beneficial properties. Some terpenes promote relaxation more heavily while others encourage deep focus and improve productivity. The effects of each strain can be explained by your budtender. Keep in mind that these terpenes are also seen as beneficial for health purposes. For example, recent studies suggest that the terpene alpha-pinene, common in many strains, suggest that the terpene can help with ulcers and even may help individuals suffering from asthma. 

Terpenes Are Found in Most Plants

 Believe it or not, terpenes are not unique to marijuana. In fact, they’re a major component in essential oils, giving them the unique smell you come to expect. This means they can be found in many herbs, flowers, and even straight CBD oil and tinctures. There are over 100 known terpenes making up many of the strains we know and love as well as the herbs you cook with, the plants you encounter on hikes in the Colorado wilderness, and even the fruits you eat. 

Flavored Products Are Not Enhanced With Additional Terpenes

Though there are many flavored cannabis products on the market, it’s important to remember that those flavors are not just due to the terpenes from the strain. However, if you’re looking for a particular natural flavor experience, explain your preferences to your budtender. They’re familiar with the characteristics of each strain and the terpenes that create the flavors you’re looking for. 

Whether you’re looking to try a new strain or want to pick up a bit of East Coast Sour Diesel to help you unwind after work, we’ve got what you need. Stop by one of our three locations and stock up on rolling papers, grinders, and bud today.