Terpenes, Terpenoids, and Trichomes: Your beginners guide to terpenes
When it comes to terpenes, a quick Google search will reveal that legitimate research and information has been clouded by articles whose aim is to sell a product rather than accurately present information. Terpenes have experienced a massive spike in popularity, and full terpene breakdowns are an increasingly commonplace accompaniment to full cannabis profiles. These in-depth profiles but have grown from appearing familiar to consumers, to being entirely expected as necessary descriptors for the ever-expanding varieties of cannabis strains. This article aims to clarify what exactly terpenes, terpenoids, and trichomes are, as well as what they do.
To begin briefly, terpenes are the common components of fragrance and flavor found in a wide variety of plants and herbs. For example, terpenes produced by the hops plant play an integral role in craft beer. Hops terpenes are carefully formulated to give beer a specific flavor and scent, while similarly, terpenes in grape plants ultimately affect the taste of wine made from them. Marijuana terpenes are no different. In cannabis, these terpenes are modified to enhance particular scent and flavor profiles, organized as ‘strains’ of cannabis.
Terpenes are aromatic compounds comprised of carbon and hydrogen. In cannabis, terpenes are produced by the same glands responsible for the production of CBD and THC. Common misunderstandings around terpenes is due to the confusion around the two terms ‘terpenes’ and ‘terpenoids’. While both are aromatic hydrocarbons with many of the same traits, they are not entirely identical. Terpenoids are terpenes that have been altered (most commonly by drying or while curing a plant), changing the oxygen content in the chemical compound. The essential and only true difference between terpenes and terpenoids is that terpenes are completely natural, while terpenoids have been modified.
To fully understand terpenes, it’s important to know where they come from; namely trichomes. Trichomes in the cannabis plant are small, hair-like glands responsible for the biosynthesis of cannabinoids. They produce terpenes, CBD, and THC. They can be found in the leaves and along the stalks of the plant, though a significantly higher concentration of trichomes are found in the flower (or ‘buds’) of the cannabis plant. It is widely accepted that strong trichome production correlates with increased potency of the herb.
In summary, trichomes are small glands that grow on the cannabis plant. They produce a large quantity of aromatic compounds called terpenes. These terpenes are then extracted and categorized according to their aromatic profiles. When terpenes are cured, the result is a terpenoid, an oxygenated derivative of the former. Congratulations, you are now fully up to date on the basics of terpenes!
