2025 Research Round-Up: Cannabis Flavor Science, Aroma Chemistry & Innovation at Abstrax Tech

Discover the cannabis aroma research, flavor science, and cultivation studies from Abstrax Tech in 2025.

This year is going to be big at Abstrax Tech, and to understand just how far we’ve come it’s important to look back at what we accomplished in 2025. 

Across research, education, and cultivar analysis, we reinforced our commitment to evidence-based cannabis flavor science. We expanded analytical boundaries, clarified important terminology, and shared knowledge openly. This past year we continued to shape how the industry understands – and talks about – cannabis flavor and aroma. 

More than anything else, our work from 2025 sets the stage for deeper exploration in the years ahead. So, today we’re celebrating the foundational research behind all the innovations you have to look forward to in 2026.

Finding Funk: The Chemistry Behind One of Cannabis’ Most Polarizing Aromas

Cheesy cannabis can be savory, funky, tangy, and just the littlest bit… stinky. It’s also highly sought after and some consumers can’t get enough. So, we took a big whiff of these pungent aromas and studied the sulfur-containing volatile compounds responsible for some of these cheesy cultivars in our white paper Finding Funk: Unveiling the Chemical Complexity of Cheese Weed.

Until now, many believed these cheesy aromas were due to Isovaleric Acid (IA), but we found ZERO traces of it in samples we’ve analyzed. What we DID find was far more interesting and it opens the door to a cheesy revolution in cannabis cultivation! Our research uncovered specific cheesy cannabis flavorants behind strains like Thunderbird Cheese and Super Cheese, as well as valuable insights into what makes a cheesy profile more desirable to consumers.

Ultimately, this research aimed to understand cannabis funk at a molecular level to help brands move beyond subjective descriptors and toward reproducible, chemistry-driven aroma design. 

Want the heavy-duty data and chemical breakdowns? Get all the details in our white paper Finding Funk: Unveiling the Chemical Complexity of Cheese Weed.

Flavorants vs. Flavonoids: Clarifying a Cannabis Chemistry Misconception

We perform cutting-edge research because we understand the cannabis industry carries decades worth of assumptions and misconceptions. In our publication Flavorants vs Flavonoids in Cannabis, we clarified a major misunderstanding about flavorants and flavonoids. Basically, flavorants influence aroma and flavor, while flavonoids give plants bold bursts of color. These compounds are not the same and they’re not interchangeable. 

Nuanced terms and concepts can often be misused or misunderstood, and providing clarification allows consumers to make more informed decisions while showing that the cannabis industry is reputable and research-driven. This type of precision in language ultimately leads to more precision in formulation, labeling, and consumer education.

Want the data and chemistry deep dives? Read Flavorants vs Flavonoids in Cannabis for the full breakdown!

Abstrax Academy: Expanding Access to Cannabis Aroma Education

In addition to publishing research, 2025 was the year we launched Abstrax Academy. This completely free educational platform is designed to make cannabis aroma science accessible to anyone and everyone. 

From beginner budtenders and dispensary managers to technicians looking to enhance their extraction knowledge, Abstrax Academy provides resources for anyone looking to become a cannabis professional at any level. It integrates peer-reviewed research, applied chemistry, and sensory science into structured learning modules covering terpenes, volatile sulfur compounds, extraction methods, and aroma perception. 

At Abstrax Tech, we believe that scientific literacy strengthens the entire cannabis ecosystem, and lowering barriers to education aligns cultivators, formulators, and brands around shared scientific fundamentals.

Want science-backed professional cannabis development courses? Get started with Abstrax Academy for free today!

Which Light Is Right: Cultivation Lighting and Aroma Outcomes

In partnership with legendary cannabis breeder, Josh Del Rosso (AKA Josh D, known for popularizing the original OG Kush) we investigated how different light sources impact cannabis development in Which Light is Right: The HPS vs. LED Debate. During his 20+ years of experience, Josh D has observed visual differences in flowers grown under different lighting conditions, but was unable to quantify differences in their chemical profiles… until now.

Not only did the results of our experiment indicate that HPS lighting could promote gassier aromatics and LED lights tended to produce denser buds, but we also gained insights into how lighting conditions may impact the development of secondary metabolites. Ultimately, we found even more support for something that cultivators have long known; lighting is a controllable variable with measurable effects on morphology.

Want all the brilliant details? Dive into the research in Which Light is Right: The HPS vs. LED Debate in Cannabis Cultivation.

24K Gold & The Evolution of Cannabis Gas Categories

When DNA Genetics launched 24K Gold, it immediately made waves with its bright notes of ripe tangerine, sweet spritz of orange peel, and bold OG fuel. Through the early decades of this century, they became one of the most decorated breeding houses in cannabis history. In 2025, we had the honor of collaborating with them to uncover the mysteries of this one-of-a-kind strain. Not only did we learn what makes the 24K Gold aroma so unique, we also carved out a place for it in the prestigious Abstrax Signature Series and developed a greater chemical understanding of exotic cannabis gas categories. 

The finely tuned aromatic experience of 24K Gold is driven by a combination of unique TCSC levels along with the powerful gas of prenylthiol, a foundational PCSC; but that’s just the start. In studying the biochemical complexity of 24K Gold and that of its lineage, we were able to examine the unique chemistry and balance of aromatic compounds in four distinct Gas Categories: OG Gas, Chem Gas, Candy Gas, and Tangie Gas.

Today’s consumers are more educated and they’ve developed sophisticated tastes. Research like this helps brands and cultivators align their products with the recognizable sensory signatures that today’s consumers actually want, bringing the industry one step closer to the level of maturity seen in coffee, wine, or even beer.

Want the low-down on our collaboration with DNA Genetics? Curious about the analytical techniques and equipment we used to assess these categories? Get all the details in 24K Gold: How DNA Genetics Struck Gold with Tangie Gas.

Abstrax Tech Cannabis Flavor Trends and Applications Guide

We understand that the cannabis market is evolving faster than ever, and if you want to be a successful cannabis brand in 2026, you’ll need more than good instincts. You need the data, insights, and proven strategies that show exactly where the market is going. That’s why we created our Flavor Trends & Applications Guide.

This free e-book provides a roadmap to master cannabis industry growth trends for the year ahead. You’ll learn the five hottest flavor trends for vapes, edibles, and beverages as well as insights into category performance, data-backed insights on what Gen Z and Millennial consumers are actually buying, and much more.

Ready to learn what’s growing, what’s fading, and how you can position your products to win in 2026? Download our free e-book today!

Partner with Abstrax Tech for Cannabis Success in 2026

Last year was full of breakthroughs in cannabis aroma science and product innovation, and 2026 is shaping up to be even bigger. Whether you’re expanding into new formats or growing your flavor repertoire, we’re ready to help you formulate products that build brand awareness and customer loyalty.

Have a signature flavor? Want custom experiences? Cultivar-specific aromas? With our expert formulation assistance, innovative Gellies collection, and high-intensity Cloudburst Technology, we’ve got you covered.

Schedule a free consultation with our formulation experts and let’s get to work.

Shop Breakthrough Terpenes From 2025!

SHOP 24K Gold

A child of Tangie and Kosher Kush, 24K Gold introduced the world to "Tangie Gas". Bred by DNA Genetics, one of the most awarded and influential names in cannabis history, this profile honors the legacy of California flavor that changed cannabis forever.

SHOP Super Cheese

As a cross between Cheese and Exodus Cheese, Super Cheese is… well, cheesy. That’s just the start, though. Subtle notes of sweet berries and rich, dank earth give this cultivar the perfect balance of sweet, funky, and savory.

SHOP Thunderbird Cheese

That’s not a storm on the horizon. It’s Thunderbird Cheese. This mythical child of Sundae Driver and Maui Sour OG electrifies the senses with a jolt of citrus and pine while subtle gusts of dank cheese just barely keep your feet on the ground.