Terpenes are becoming more popular as people learn about their unique scents, effects, and flavours. Combined with cannabis extracts and concentrates, terpenes can boost and help you customize your cannabis experience. But how do you implement terpenes into your cannabis extracts and concentrates?
In this article, we'll cover how terpenes can elevate your cannabis experience, how to find the right terpene products, and how to mix terpenes with extracts and concentrates.
Why You Should Add Terpenes to Your Extracts and Concentrates
Adding terpenes can help to boost your experience in a variety of ways. One way is through working synergistically with the other cannabis compounds, to deliver what is known as the entourage effect. This is when the various cannabis compounds such as THC, CBD, and terpenes, etc. work together to produce a more substantial impact than any one of them could on their own.
If you want a particular smell, flavour, or impact from your product, adding terpenes can give you more control over your experience.
For example, let's say you want to add a citrusy scent/taste to your concentrate. You could do this by adding a limonene-dominant terpene blend to your product. Or, if you wish to wind down and relax, you might add a myrcene-dominant terpene blend to your concentrate.
Additionally, scientific research has continued to provide evidence for the therapeutic uses of specific terpenes and cannabinoids like CBD, THC, and others.
There are many reasons to add terpenes to cannabis. Some may want to mask the smell of cannabis, while others may be looking for specific effects or flavours. No matter the reason, adding terpenes to your products can be a great way to enhance the way you enjoy cannabis.
Finding the Right Products
Now that you know why you might want to add terpenes, let's talk about how to find the right products.
When looking for terpene products, it's important to make sure that you're getting a high-quality product from a reputable source. There are many terpene products on the market, but not all are created equal.
Some things to look for when terpene shopping include:
- Customer reviews: Checking out what other people have said about a product can be a great way to get an idea of its quality
- Reputable source: Buying from a reputable source will help guarantee you're getting a reliable product
- High-quality: Confirm that the terpene you're considering are high-quality and do not contain any solvents or additional flavourings
When looking for a high-quality product, do your research and ensure you're getting what you're paying for. There are many terpene options, so take your time to find the right one for you.
Selecting Your Terpene Profile
When you're looking at different terpene blends, you'll notice that they have different ratios of terpene isolates. These ratios are important because they can affect the blend’s overall impact.
For example, a blend with a high ratio of myrcene might be more relaxing, while a blend with a high proportion of limonene might be more uplifting.
Cannabis scents are also affected by the terpene profile. For example, a product with a high ratio of pinene would smell more like pine, while a product with limonene would smell more citrusy.
When selecting your terpene profile, consider which effects you're looking for and what scents appeal to you.
Your Desired Effect
When selecting your terpene profile, it's essential to consider what effect you’re looking to achieve.
For example, if your desire is for a relaxing product, you might want to choose a profile with a high ratio of myrcene or linalool, and blends like Bubba Kush or Lavender Kush. Or, if you're looking for an uplifting product, you might want to add terpene isolates like limonene or select energizing blends such as Elevate, Jack Herer or Super Lemon Haze.
Since everyone has unique receptors, the effects that terpenes provide can have varying impacts depending on the person. In addition, different terpenes can have diverse effects, it is best to experiment to find the right ratio and terpene profile for you.
Types of Concentrates and Extracts
The next determining factor is selecting the right type of concentrate or extract you want to use. There are many different types of concentrates and extracts on the market, each with its own unique properties. For example, some concentrates are water-soluble while others are not.
Some concentrates might also be more potent than others. For example, a distillate will be more potent than an isolate, since it contains a higher concentration of terpenes and cannabinoids. Distillate will also be easier to work with than rosins or other thicker concentrates.
Other concentrates, like live resins or badder, may be more challenging to work with since they're thicker and denser.
There are many different types of extracts and concentrates, including but not limited to:
- Distillate: A refined, virtually flavourless cannabis oil that contains a high concentration of cannabinoids
- Isolate: A pure form of CBD or THC isolated from other cannabinoids
- Budder: A type of live resin with a creamy, butter-like consistency
- Rosin: A kind of concentrate made by applying heat and pressure to cannabis flowers or trim
- Live resin: A type of concentrate that's made using fresh cannabis flowers that have been frozen immediately after harvest
Planning How to Consume Terpenes
There are many ways to consume terpenes, but the most common method is by inhaling them. You can do this through a vape pen or a dab rig, or by infusing terpenes into your dried flower with our unique BudBoosters.
If you plan to make vape cartridges with a 510 or dabbing a ball of resin dipped in terpenes, determining your method of consumption will dictate the product, dose, and recommendations.
As with extracts and concentrates, it's important to remember that they are already potent and to use with caution.
Terpenes are commonly used for aromatherapy purposes, they can be added to diffusers, shower steamers or bath water, or added to oils, creams, and salves to be used topically. CannTerp terpenes are also food grade, there are a variety of ways to benefit from them in your daily routine. Terpenes are popularly used in food and beverage such as: tea, cocktails, edibles, and oral tinctures, or added to boost any recipe.
All our terpenes are steam distilled, 100% pure and undiluted, therefore it is imperative that they are properly diluted prior to use.
Mixing Terpenes in Extracts and Concentrates
Whenever working with terpenes, it's imperative to remember that they are potent and should always be used with caution.
When mixing terpenes into extracts or concentrates, it is important to warm them gently over low heat. Once the product is fully melted, you can begin to add your terpenes drop-by-drop and blend completely. We recommend adding 1 to 5 drops of any of our terpene blends or isolates, per gram of extract or concentrate.
Since CannTerp’s terpenes are 100% pure and never diluted, they can be very strong. The amount of terpenes added can vary depending on your personal preference. Since we each have unique receptors, some individuals may be more sensitive to scent/taste than others. We always recommend starting on the low end and slowly increasing to your desired strength.
Once you've added your terpenes, mix everything until evenly distributed.
If you find your extract or concentrate is too thick after blending in your desired amount of terpenes, you will likely need to add a terpene diluent. CannTerp’s terpene diluent does not contain any additives, it is made of 100% pure terpenes. The terpenes in this blend are as odourless and tasteless as possible, it helps with the consistency without adding additional scent/taste, as other terpenes blends or isolates would.
It is recommended that the terpene concentration not exceed 10% of your total product. The concentration varies based on viscosity of the product, but on average ~7% is what you can expect.
Terpene Safety
It's essential to remember that terpenes are very potent and should always be used with caution. Remember to always dilute terpenes prior to use of any kind. Never ingest, inhale, or apply undiluted terpenes to the skin.
The general rule of thumb is to dilute your terpenes to 1% to 5% of the total product.
Of course, this ratio will vary depending on many factors, such as the thickness of the extract or concentrate, the terpene blend, and the desired scent/taste/effects.
We recommend starting with a lower concentration and slowly increasing it until you find your perfect ratio.
Starting Slow
Now that you know how to mix terpenes with extracts and concentrates, it's time to start experimenting. Remember to start low and slowly increase the amount of terpenes you use until you find the perfect ratio for you.
Starting slow will also allow you to figure out which flavours, scents, and desired effects you like the best. Then, once you've found a combination you love, you can start using it in all your favourite cannabis products or daily routine.
You will figure out which terpene dilution and ratios work best for you with trial and adjustment. Remember to have fun and enjoy the terpene mixing process. This calculator can be used for all shatter, wax, distillate and rosin and final calculation will vary slightly based on viscosity and personal preference.
The Bottom Line
Terpenes are a great way to enhance your cannabis consumption experience. By mixing them with products such as extracts and concentrates, you can create unique flavours, scents, and effects.
Remember to start slow and increase the terpene content until you find your perfect ratio. With trial and adjustment, you'll be an expert in no time.
We hope this guide on mixing terpenes with extracts and concentrates was helpful. If you have any questions, feel free to reach out to us. We're always happy to help!
Buy CannTerp Premium Terpenes to create your own products and customize your experience. We are the Top Canadian Online Supplier of Terpenes for sale in Canada. Explore our vast product line-up as well as our award winning terpene infusion product line-up to make your own infused products.