What are terpenes?

Terpenes give cannabis strains their unique aromas.

Highlights:

Terpenes are fragrant oils found in many types of plants that produce a unique taste and smell.
The tastes and smells of the terpenes in cannabis products range from woodsy to spicy to citrusy sweet.
Many terpenes are unique to cannabis.

Cannabis gets its scent from compounds in the plants called terpenes. Terpenes are fragrant oils found in many types of plants, especially coniferous (evergreen) varieties. The chemical compounds they secrete give fruits, vegetables, flowers and herbs their signature scents. There are over 100 identified terpenes, many of which are unique to the cannabis plant.

Although cannabis is often generally associated with a certain musky aroma, each strain of cannabis has its own scent. The individual scent of a strain will be based on the number and type of terpenes present and which ones are dominant. Terpene scents range from spicy and peppery to earthy and woodsy to floral and fruity.

Making this equation even more complex, each terpene can itself have multiple aroma profiles. Also, terpene levels can vary from crop to crop, which can lead to inconsistencies in the scents within the same strain.

Why are Terpenes Important?

We all have individual preferences for smells and tastes, so knowing the terpene profile of a cannabis product can help you choose one with a scent and flavour profile you’d most likely prefer.

Since many terpenes are associated with various types of plants and herbs used in naturopathic remedies, some theorize that terpenes play a role in the effect of cannabis. For instance, linalool, a common terpene found in lavender, may be associated with relaxation. We believe in the “the entourage effect,” referring that cannabinoids and terpenes work together in the overall effect of cannabis.

Top 5 Most Common Terpenes Found in Cannabis:

Myrcene
Pinene
Limonene
Linalool
Beta-Caryophyllene

Terpenes: Complex Aromas in Cannabis

Earthy & Woody:

Myrcene – Scents: Musk, Earth, Ripe Fruit – Found in: Mango, Lemongrass, Hops, Thyme
Humulene – Scents: Woody, Earth – Found in: Hops, Coriander
Terpinolene – Scents: Smoke, Wood, Pine – Found in: Apples, Cumin, Lilac, Tea Tree Oil, Conifers
Borneol – Scents: Menthol, Camphor, Rich Earth – Found in: Wormwood, Cinnamon
Nerolidol – Scents: Wood, Bark, Flowers, Apples – Found in: Citronella, Ginger, Orange Peel
Cedrene – Scents: Ceder, Amber, Sandalwood, Patchouli – Found in: Ceder
Carene – Scents: Earth, Pine, Forest Scents, Citrus – Found in: Bell Pepper, Pine, Citrus Fruits
Alpha Pinene – Scents: Pine, Rosemary – Found in: Pines, Conifers, Rosemary, Sage

Spicy:

Beta-Caryophyllene – Scents: Peppery Spice, Wood – Found in: Black Pepper, Cloves, Balsam
Sabinene – Scents: Wood, Pepper, Spices – Found in: Oak, Tea Tree Oil, Black Pepper, Carrot Seed
Terpineol – Scents: Florals, Lilac, Lime, Cardamom, Clove – Found in: Cypress, Juniper Berries, Cardamom, Marjoram, Thyme
Borneol – Scents: Menthol, Camphor, Rich Earth – Found in: Wormwood, Cinnamon

Sweet, florals & fruity:

Linalool – Scents: Sweet Flowers, Citrus – Found in: Lavender and many flowers, mint and cinnamon
Ocimene – Scents: Flowers, Fruit, Herbs – Found in: mint, parsley, pepper, basil, mango and orchids
Geraniol – Scents: Geranium, Rose, Citronella, Stone Fruits – Found in: Geraniums, tobacco and lemons
Bisabolol – Scents: Fresh Flowers – Found in: Chamomile
Nerolidol – Scents: Wood, Bark, Flowers, Apples – Found in: Citronella, Ginger, Orange Peele
Terpineol – Scents: Florals, Lilac, Lime, Cardamom, Clove – Found in: Cypress, Juniper Berries, Cardamom, Marjoram, Thyme

Tangy citrus:

Limonene – Scents: Lemon or Lime – Found in: Citrus Fruits, Juniper
Valencene – Scents: Oranges, Tangerines or Grapefruit – Found in: Citrus fruits, Valencia oranges
Phellandrene – Scents: Citrus, Mint, Herbs, Pepper – Found in: Eucalyptus, Pine, Parsley, Dill, Mint, Lavender
Cymene – Scents: Tangy Oranges, Carrots, Musk – Found in: Cumin, Thyme
Carene – Scents: Earth, Pine, Forest Scents, Citrus – Found in: Bell Pepper, Pine, Citrus Fruits

Herbal & Leafy:

Alpha Pinene – Scents: Pine, Rosemary – Found in: Pines, Conifers, Rosemary, Sage
Beta Pinene – Scents: Dill, Parsley, Basil – Found in: Pines, Conifers, Rosemary, Sage
Eucalyptol – Scents: Eucalyptus, Mint, Spice – Found in: Eucalyptus
Ocimene – Scents: Flower, Fruit, Herbs – Found in: Mint, Parsley, Pepper, Basil, Mango and Orchids
Fenchol – Scents: Camphor, Pine, Lemon – Found in: Basil
Menthol – Scents: Cooling Mint – Found in: Various Mints
Phytol – Scents: Green Tea, Light Florals, Jasmine, Balsam – Found in: Green tea
Isopulegol – Scents: Sweet Mint, Eucalyptus – Found in: Eucalyptus, Lemongrass, Geranium
Phellandrene – Scents: Citrus, Mint, Herbs, Pepper – Found in: Eucalyptus, Pine, Parsley, Dill, Mint, Lavender
Pulegone – Scents: Mint, Camphor – Found in: Peppermint, Catnip, Pennyroyal