Science
What Are Terpenes?
Terpenes are the aromatic oils cannabis shares with citrus peels, pine needles, hops, lavender, and black pepper. They're responsible for how a strain smells, tastes, and — increasingly research suggests — how its effects feel.
Where they come from
Terpenes are produced in the same trichome glands that produce THC and CBD. They exist to protect the plant — repelling pests, deterring animals, attracting pollinators.
Because they're volatile, they evaporate at surprisingly low temperatures. Heat, light, and time all degrade a terpene profile.
Common terpenes in cannabis
Myrcene — earthy, musky, mango-like. Often the dominant terpene in indica-leaning strains.
Limonene — bright citrus. Frequently associated with lifted, upbeat expressions.
Caryophyllene — peppery, spicy. The only terpene that also binds cannabinoid receptors.
Linalool — floral, lavender. Pinene — sharp pine. Terpinolene — fresh, complex, faintly herbal.
Why the total percentage matters
A live rosin testing at 6–10% total terpenes is exceptional. Most distillate carts test near zero and are re-dosed with either cannabis-derived or botanical terpenes to build a flavor profile.
Every Red Mane and Frostco jar prints its exact terpene percentages on the label. What's on the paper is what's in the jar.
Takeaway
If cannabinoids are the engine, terpenes are the tuning. They're the reason two strains at the same THC can feel entirely different.
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