What is the Difference Between Terpenes and Flavorants?

Learn the similarities and differences between terpenes and flavorants and how this information helps cannabis brands deliver more authentic, consistent product experiences for consumers.

Over the last few years, cannabis aroma science has been turned upside down after several breakthrough discoveries. We’ve learned so much about the unique compounds driving flavor and aroma, including terpenes and flavorants.

The innovations that have resulted from all this research will have a profound impact on the cannabis industry… that is if we can all use these terms accurately. 

Ever heard someone compliment cannabis for its “loud terpenes?” Maybe someone chimed in saying they thought aroma came from flavorants, to which the first person responded, “I think you mean flavonoids, but they’re really all the same thing.”

We understand the confusion, so we’re here to clear things up. Terpenes and flavorants (and flavonoids!) are NOT the same things. When we use these terms correctly, consumers can make more informed decisions, and we show that the cannabis industry is reputable and research-driven.

Read on to learn the important differences between terpenes and flavorants, HOW to use them, and WHY using them in your products helps both consumers and the industry as a whole.

What Are Terpenes?

Terpenes are the organic hydrocarbons produced by most plants. In the most basic sense, they're the building blocks of flavor and scent. 

In nature, plants produce terpenes for survival functions like attracting pollinators, repelling predators, pathogen protection, and more. Essential oils were once thought to be the purest essence of a plant’s scent, however, when we refine essential oils even further, we’re able to extract specific terpene isolates. 

Want details on specific terpene isolates? Check out our Ultimate List of Terpenes!

This allows us to accurately recreate flavors and aromas from everyday fruits, flowers, herbs, and spices. On top of that, we can recreate the aromas and flavors of specific cannabis cultivars and even nostalgic candy, trending beverages, and tempting confections.

How to Use Terpenes

If we can isolate terpenes and use them to recreate other flavors and aromas, what are they for? How do you actually use terpenes? 

Today, brands use terpenes to enhance the flavor, aroma, and overall sensorial experience (relaxation, stimulation, etc.) of their products. This can include food and drinks, personal care products, aromatherapy items like candles, and a wide variety of cannabis products.

Cannabis is a particularly terpene-dense plant. Being able to recreate the aroma of a particular cultivar using botanically derived terpenes means we can infuse those flavors and aromas into vapes, cartridges, pre-rolls, and more. This gives brands the ability to offer customers the consistent flavor and aroma of specific strains, while also imparting some strain-specific effects.

For example, brands wanting to offer customers the gassy, berry forward aroma and relaxing effects of Bacio Gelato could infuse a cannabis distillate with the official Bacio Gelato terpene profile. 

The best terpenes for your cartridges will depend on your customer’s preferences. However, if you’re just starting out, it’s worth checking out cannabis strains dominant in specific terpenes:

• Linalool Dominant Cannabis Strains
• Myrcene Dominant Cannabis Strains
• Terpinolene Dominant Cannabis Strains
• Beta-Caryophyllene Dominant Cannabis Strains
• Limonene Dominant Cannabis Strains

While it was previously believed that terpenes were the main driver of exotic cannabis aroma, recent research has revealed that cannabis flavorants play a far more significant role compared to terpenes.

 

What Are Flavorants?

To discover the chemical origins of exotic cannabis aromas, we performed extensive research. To make a long story (research) short, we found that terpenes are NOT the main driver of exotic cannabis aromas. That honor goes to cannabis flavorants.

Want the research that revealed the significant role flavorants play in exotic cannabis aroma? Check out our Science of Exotic Cannabis Series Part I, II, and III.

Like terpenes, flavorants are volatile aromatic compounds. However, they’re a unique and distinct class of compounds that includes esters, alcohols, aldehydes, and VSCs (volatile sulfur compounds). These are found in low concentrations and are responsible for cannabis's unique and diverse aromas.

For example, Skatole (3-Methyl-1H-indole) is a cannabis flavorant with a particularly foul aroma. This pungent flavorant can be found in mammalian feces and is, in fact, one of the major odor contributors to the scent of scat. You’ll also find trace amounts of Skatole in savory cannabis varieties like GMO and 710 Chem.

Tropical cannabis flavorants like 3MH (3-mercaptohexanol) impart aromas like guava and passionfruit and are present in varieties like Sour Tangie. Flavorants 2-H (2-heptanone) and H-A (hexanoic acid) contribute to the cheesy cannabis aromas of varieties like Thunderbird Cheese and Super Cheese.

We’re STILL uncovering more flavorants and deciphering the unique ways they interact with each other and with other compounds. Skatole, for example, is a bit of a chemical chameleon. While it creates savory and sometimes stinky aromas, it can also amplify lush, sweet, and exotic aromas. It’s even been known to create floral aromas, which is why it’s been a key compound in the perfuming industry.

How to Use Flavorants

So, how do you USE flavorants? The simplest answer is VERY carefully, since the tiniest miscalculation can have very undesirable effects. The littlest bit too much skatole in that perfume can result in something wildly stinky instead of exquisitely floral. That doesn’t mean you CAN’T work directly with flavorants, just that it takes expert care and handling.

The easiest way to use flavorants is to infuse products with expertly crafted terpene profiles that already incorporate flavorants. 

If you already know how to use terpenes in your products, then you can use that same method here. This does a lot more than just take out some guesswork, though.

Why Should You Use Terpene Profiles That Incorporate Flavorants?

Using terpene profiles that incorporate the latest flavorant innovations enhances the authenticity of those flavors and aromas. It also means we can offer much more specific experiences for consumers with sophisticated preferences. Let us explain.

Flavorants play a big role in gassy cannabis aromas. The gassiest strains often have a combination of Skatole and prenylated cannasulfur compounds (PCSCs), but recent flavorant discoveries have broken this down even further into distinct cannabis gas categories. 

This is significant because it allows brands to infuse products with the specific gas aroma types. For example, Candy Gas cultivars like Pinata Guts and Unicorn Poop can thank PCSCs and rare berry forward esters like senecioates and tiglates for their fruit-forward top notes and gassy underbelly. 

Now imagine trying to appeal to Candy Gas fans with Chem Gas aromas. Chem Gas cultivars are known for pungent notes of dank gasoline and savory elements ranging from ammoniacal, mothball, chemical, and even vegetal (think onions and garlic). That’s a pretty big left-turn from the sweeter Candy Gas cultivars or citrus-forward Tangie Gas cultivars.

At the end of the day, manufacturers should consider using terpene profiles that incorporate flavorants so they can offer customers the specific experiences they’re looking for. 

There are also significant implications for cannabis cultivators! Learn about the many benefits flavorant research may provide to breeders in The Case for Chemohunting: When Art Meets Science in Cannabis Cultivation.

Top 5 Differences Between Terpenes and Flavorants

Ok, so we know that terpenes and flavorants are distinct classes of volatile aromatic compounds. However, if someone were to ask you what their main differences are, here are some fast facts that’ll help you sound really knowledgeable:

1. Terpenes are present in much larger quantities compared to flavorants.

2. Unrelated cultivars with wildly different aromas can share the same dominant terpenes. However, flavorant content of related cultivars can differ, which contributes to unexpected aromatic variations among cannabis progeny.

3. While terpenes may not be the defining elements of exotic cannabis aroma, they do still contribute some aromatic characteristics.

4. There is still merit to the theory that terpenes impact mood. However, as we learn more about aromatic compounds and how they interact with each other, we may also find that terpenes aren’t the sole driver of mood effects.

5. Compared to terpenes, flavorants have a significantly larger influence on overall aroma even when present in miniscule quantities. Even when found at parts per million (or parts per billion), their impact on the final aroma is HUGE.

BONUS: What is the Difference Between Cannabis Flavorants and Flavonoids?

Similar to the flavorant and terpene mix-up, there’s also a lot of confusion about flavorants and flavonoids. Their names might sound similar, but they have very different characteristics. We know flavorants influence aroma and flavor, but flavonoids are part of a class of polyphenols that give bold bursts of color to many of our favorite plants. 

Confused? We get it. The term LOOKS like it should be about flavor, but the word's origin actually has nothing to do with flavor! The word flavonoid is derived from the Latin word "flavus," which means "yellow." 

When you see leaves or flowers with yellow, orange, purple, blue, or even pink colors, it’s usually due to flavonoids. These compounds produce the unique blues and purples of your favorite berries, and they’re responsible for some of the incredible bursts of colors you’ll see in deciduous forests during autumn.

For example, Quercetin is a flavonoid known for its vibrant yellow color. A subclass of flavonoids, anthocyanins, produce the bluish-purple hues in blackberries and certain cannabis varieties, and blueberries get their distinctive blue shade from a flavonoid called myricetin.

While flavorants are volatile, flavonoids are non-volatile compounds. They don’t readily enter the gas phase, which is necessary for humans to smell them. That’s why flavonoids don’t really impact flavor and aroma. They mostly impart astringency or bitterness, which relates more to aftertaste and mouthfeel. 

Want to learn more about flavonoids? Curious about their role in cannabis appearance and consumer preferences? Get all the details in Flavorants vs Flavonoids in Cannabis!

Abstrax Tech | The Leading Experts on Cannabis Aroma Chemistry

At Abstrax Tech, we conduct industry-leading, peer-reviewed research on cannabis to push the industry forward with better education, collaboration, and products. 

Want to round out your product portfolio with terpene profiles that incorporate the latest flavorant discoveries? Looking for expert assistance developing the right aroma, flavor, and effects for your products? We’re here to help.

Contact us today, and let’s work together on your next best product!

 

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