Die Aromen des Cannabis

Have you ever wondered why strains like Cream Caramel or Royal Caramel taste so deliciously like caramel, or why other strains like California Orange taste fruity like oranges or lemons? The flavours of cannabis and the smell come from terpenes. Terpenes belong to a very large group of chemical compounds that occur naturally in organisms as secondary constituents. Over 8,000 terpenes and over 30,000 of the closely related terpenoids are known. Terpenes are substances of plant origin and can even rarely occur in animals. In nature, mainly hydrocarbon, alcohol, glycoside, ether, aldehyde, ketone, carboxylic acidand ester terpenes occur.

Terpenes are the main component of essential plant oils and plant resins. They play an important role in nature in deterring insects, protecting against environmental stresses and can also be crucial components for more complex molecules such as cannabinoids , certain hormones, vitamins (vitamin A) and pigments.

Terpenoids also give eucalyptus its scent and cinnamon its aroma, just as they do in cloves and ginger. Plant terpenoids are largely used for their aromatic properties. They also play a role in traditional herbal medicine and are currently being studied for their antibacterial and anti-neoplastic (against cancer cells) effects as well as other pharmaceutical functions.
Cannabis is again very complex in this respect and an endless number of terpene combinations occur, resulting in a wide range of aromas and flavours.

Cannabis contains a relatively large amount of tepenes called beta-caryophyllene (BCP), which contribute to the flavour and aroma of marijuana. Recent studies have shown that these terpenes activate the CB2 receptors and therefore have an anti-inflammatory effect.

Alpha-pinene, for example, is an organic compound found in many pine species. This terpene also occurs more frequently in pine-scented varieties.

Myrcene, or ß-myrcene, is a monoterpene found in cannabis but also in other plants such as mangoes. Its taste is described as fruity, lemony and reminiscent of mango. The presence of myrcene plays an important role in the quality and enjoyment of the high.

Limonene is another terpene. It is a colourless liquid that gives off a very intense orange scent when heated in a room. In current cannabis research, limonene produces relaxation. It got its name from the lime because this and other citrus fruits contain high amounts of it. Interestingly, it has even been considered as a bio-fuel because it is combustible in its pure form. It is found in many cannabis strains.
There are over 120 types of terpenes in cannabis, some in trace amounts and others in double-digit percentages. These volatile compounds allow for an endless number of flavours in cannabis and therefore we can look forward to a wide variety of flavours and taste experiences in the future.