When talking cannabis with most experts and admirers, the topic of terpenes inevitably comes up. Known as the aromatic oils of the plant world, terpenes have enjoyed a rash of popularity in the cannabis world in the past few years. Part of this is because they possess a number of pharmacological benefits and may affect the personality of the high plant creates. The other part is because they control the scents and flavors that different strains take on, from the dark berry of Blueberry strains to the spicy Hash Plant to the multitude of pine and lemon flavors on the market. This influence over scent is immediately obvious when working with the Cannaisseur Collection from Cannaroma. Even just opening the box unleashes a cacophony of scents that clear out the nasal passages.
Our Cannaisseur Collection came with taste and scent testers for each of the 9 major terpenes found in cannabis, plus ones for a non-medicated Jack Herer analog. The scent testers come in the form of liquid terpenes in small glass jars. These are added to paper scent strips and smelled deeply to get an idea for the individual terpene. The same is then done for the taste of each terpene by adding the non-medicated terpene vape toppers to the included battery. The vapor is inhaled and the taste noted for each of the 9 terpenes. Strongly aromatic testers make it easy to sense each terpene, while informational flash cards explain what to expect with each terpene.
Once the individual terpenes are clarified for the user through practice, there is an opportunity to test these new skills. The Jack Herer analog was there in our set to challenge our ability to recognize different scents and flavors of terpenes in a single strain. Once the user feels confident in their terpene sensing abilities, they can begin to apply their new knowledge to their medication, detecting the terpenes present in their favorite buds or dabs.
Along with the sense testers, the Cannaisseur Collection included an educational booklet that doubled as directions for the set. The booklet included information about the sensory organs, the way terpenes work with cannabinoids to affect a strain’s profile, and what terpenes are. There is even a cheat sheet to each terpene’s organoleptic profile, or the scents and flavors associated with each terpene. Also included are a series of Cannaisseur Cards for each terpene with a description of what to expect from each, including current use, known benefits, and in which other plants the terpenes are also commonly found.
The Cannaisseur Collection can easily double as a party game at your next dinner for the cannabis elite, awarding points for being able to accurately identify individual terpenes and strains and providing 420 themed prizes for the winners. However, most users will see it as a way of training their senses for a more fully developed cannabis experience. As a cannabis reviewer, a tool like this is invaluable to hone my skills. In the often occasion of coming across a strain with unknown genetics, being able to label the terpenes present can be used in part to narrow down the plant’s relatives.
Users of the Cannaisseur Collection can go to Cannaroma.com to take their experience digital with strain terpene profiles and community comments to see what people are saying about their favorite terpenes or to order a Cannaisseur Collection for themselves.
