TL;DR: Open a jar of good cannabis and the first thing that hits you isn't THC, it's the smell. That smell is terpenes, and once you know what they are, you'll never shop for flower the same way again.
Open a jar of good cannabis and the first thing that hits you isn't THC, it's the smell. That smell is terpenes, and once you know what they are, you'll never shop for flower the same way again.
Terpenes are the part of the plant we pay the most attention to at Gibby's Craft Cannabis, the craft brand from Gibby's Garden, so here's the plain-English version of what they actually are.
The short definition
Terpenes are aromatic oils that plants produce. They're what give a plant its smell and flavor, and they're everywhere in nature, not just in cannabis. The bright smell of a lemon peel, the sharp scent of pine needles, the pepper note in fresh-cracked black pepper, the calm smell of lavender, all terpenes. Cannabis just happens to be especially rich in them, and in a wide variety, which is why one cultivar can smell like citrus and gas while another smells like cherries and earth.
So when someone says a strain is "loud," they mean its terpenes are strong and you can smell it from across the room. That's the terpenes talking.
A few you'll hear about
You don't need to memorize these, but the names come up on labels, so here's a quick translation of the aromas:
- Myrcene, earthy and musky, also found in mangoes and hops (it's a big part of why some beer smells the way it does).
- Limonene, bright and citrusy, the same compound in lemon and orange peel.
- Caryophyllene, peppery and spicy, found in black pepper, cloves, and rosemary.
- Pinene, sharp and piney, exactly what it sounds like, also in pine needles and basil.
- Linalool, soft and floral, the smell most people know from lavender.
One honest caveat, because the internet is full of confident claims about this: a strain's terpene profile reliably tells you how it will smell and taste. We're going to stay in that lane, aroma and flavor, and not make promises about how any of it makes you feel, because that's not something we can claim. The point here is simpler and more useful: terpenes are the flavor and the fragrance.
Why terpenes are fragile (and why that matters)
Here's the part that connects terpenes to how flower is grown and handled. Terpenes are volatile, which just means they evaporate and break down over time, with heat, and with exposure to light and air. That has two real consequences for what you buy.
First, freshness matters. The same flower smells louder closer to its cure date and fades as it sits. Second, how it's handled matters. Harsh processing can strip terpenes, it's part of why we hand-trim and slow-cure rather than rush, and why we grow non-irradiated, since that post-harvest radiation step can dull terpenes.
How to use this when you shop
Trust your nose. A strong, distinct aroma is the most reliable everyday signal of quality, regardless of who grew it or what the THC number says. Smell the flower if you can, check the harvest date, and pick the one that actually appeals to you. Our guides to choosing good flower and our cultivar menu go deeper, and when you want to put it to the test, ask for Gibby's Craft Cannabis by name.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are terpenes in cannabis?
Terpenes are aromatic oils that cannabis (and many other plants) produce, and they're responsible for a strain's smell and flavor. The same terpene family gives citrus its brightness, pine its sharpness, and pepper its spice, which is why different cultivars smell so different.
Do terpenes get you high?
No. Terpenes are aroma and flavor compounds, not the intoxicating part of cannabis. They shape how a cultivar smells and tastes, which is a big part of the experience of good flower, but they're not what's measured as potency.
Why do terpenes fade?
Terpenes are volatile, meaning they evaporate and degrade over time and with exposure to heat, light, and air. That's why fresher flower has a louder aroma and why gentle handling, like hand-trimming and a slow cure, helps preserve them.
How do I use terpenes to pick cannabis?
Smell the flower and choose the aroma that appeals to you, and check the harvest or packaged date for freshness. A strong, distinct smell is a more reliable quality signal than the THC percentage on the label.
Gibby's Garden is a licensed Massachusetts cannabis microbusiness (License MB281347). Products available exclusively through licensed dispensary partners.
Please Consume Responsibly
There may be health risks associated with consumption of this product. For use only by adults 21 years of age or older. Keep out of the reach of children.
This product has not been analyzed or approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). There is limited information on the side effects of using this product, and there may be associated health risks. Marijuana use during pregnancy and breast-feeding may pose potential harms. It is against the law to drive or operate machinery when under the influence of this product. KEEP THIS PRODUCT AWAY FROM CHILDREN. There may be health risks associated with consumption of this product. Marijuana can impair concentration, coordination, and judgment. The impairment effects of Edibles may be delayed by two hours or more. In case of accidental ingestion, contact poison control hotline 1-800-222-1222 or 9-1-1. This product may be illegal outside of MA.
