A terpene profile is the set of volatile aromatic compounds in a cannabis sample, plus the percentage of each. Labs report each terpene as a percentage of sample weight. Two samples of the same cultivar can have different profiles.
What Terpenes Are
Terpenes are hydrocarbons built from isoprene units. Plants make them. Cannabis produces more than 100. They give smell and flavor. Some have biological activity in humans.
Common Cannabis Terpenes
- Myrcene: earthy, musky. Boiling point 167°C (333°F). Found in hops and mango.
- Limonene: citrus. Boiling point 176°C (349°F). Found in lemon peel.
- Pinene: pine. Boiling point 155°C (311°F). Found in pine needles.
- Linalool: floral. Boiling point 198°C (388°F). Found in lavender.
- Beta-caryophyllene: pepper, clove. Binds the CB2 receptor. Found in black pepper.
- Terpinolene: herbal, floral. Boiling point 186°C (366°F). Found in nutmeg.
- Humulene: hops, wood. Found in hops.
How Labs Measure Terpene Profiles
Labs use gas chromatography with flame ionization detection (GC-FID) or mass spectrometry (GC-MS). The lab heats a sample. Volatile compounds separate by boiling point and polarity. A detector counts each one. Results list each terpene as a percentage of sample weight. Total terpenes range from 0.5% to 3% in dried flower. Some cultivars reach 4%.
What Changes a Terpene Profile
- Genetics
- Light spectrum and intensity
- Temperature during growth
- Nutrients
- Harvest time
- Curing method
- Storage conditions
Storage
Heat, light, and oxygen degrade terpenes. Keep flower in sealed glass at 60 to 70°F and 55% to 62% relative humidity. Keep it dark.
How to Read a Terpene Test
Look at total terpenes and the top three compounds. A profile high in myrcene and beta-caryophyllene gives earthy, peppery notes. High limonene and pinene gives citrus and pine. The ratio matters more than any single terpene. Labs use different methods. Compare results from the same lab.
Product labels may list only dominant terpenes. Ask for the full certificate of analysis.