Open a jar of cannabis flower and the first thing you notice is the smell. Some strains smell like lemon peel, others like pine needles or black pepper. Those aromas come from terpenes, and once you know a little about them, choosing a product gets a lot easier.
What terpenes are
Terpenes are natural aromatic compounds made by many plants, not just cannabis. They're the reason lavender, oranges and fresh-cut pine smell the way they do. In cannabis, the mix of terpenes in a strain shapes its aroma and flavor.
The names you'll see most often
- Myrcene: earthy and herbal, with a hint of ripe fruit. One of the most common terpenes in cannabis.
- Limonene: bright and citrusy, like lemon or orange peel.
- Caryophyllene: peppery and spicy, also found in black pepper and cloves.
- Pinene: sharp and fresh, like a pine forest.
- Linalool: floral, with notes similar to lavender.
How to use terpenes when you shop
Many products list their main terpenes on the label or lab results. A practical approach: notice which aromas you enjoy, and look for products with a similar terpene profile next time. Your nose is a surprisingly good guide.
You may hear people say a terpene makes a strain feel a certain way. Experiences vary from person to person, so we treat those descriptions as what customers tend to report, not as promises. The best way to learn is to start low and note what you notice.
Ask to smell
When we open in Magnolia, ask a budtender to walk you through the aromas of a few options and show you the lab results. It's one of the easiest ways to narrow down what you'll enjoy.