What Are Terpenes?

Terpenes give cannabis strains their unique aromas.

Terpenes

HIGHLIGHTS

Terpenes are fragrant oils found in many types of plants that produce a unique taste and smell.
The tastes and smells of the terpenes in cannabis products have a very diverse range of aromas. Strains can produce a terpene profile that is earthy, woodsy, herbal, spicy, diesel or cheesy, all the way to citrusy or sweet.
Many terpenes are unique to cannabis.

Cannabis gets its scent from compounds in the plants called terpenes. Terpenes are fragrant oils found in many types of plants, especially coniferous (evergreen) varieties. The chemical compounds they secrete give fruits, vegetables, flowers and herbs their signature scents. There are over 100 identified terpenes, many of which are unique to the cannabis plant.

Although cannabis is often generally associated with a certain musky aroma, each strain of cannabis has its own scent. The individual scent of a strain will be based on the amount and type of terpenes present and which ones are dominant. Terpene scents range from earthy, woodsy, herbal, spicy, diesel or cheesy, all the way to citrusy or sweet.

Making this equation even more complex, each terpene can itself have multiple aroma profiles. Also, terpene levels can vary from crop to crop, which can lead to inconsistencies in the scents within the same strain.

Why are Terpenes Important?

We all have individual preferences for smells and tastes, so knowing the terpene profile of a cannabis product can help you choose one with a scent and flavour profile you’d most likely prefer.

Since many terpenes are associated with various types of plants and herbs used in naturopathic remedies, some theorize that terpenes play a role in the effect of cannabis. For instance, linalool, a common terpene found in lavender, may be associated with relaxation. Some also believe in the theory of “the entourage effect,” referring to the possibility that cannabinoids and terpenes work together in the overall effect of cannabis. As of now, these are just theories- the impact of terpenes beyond flavour and aroma has yet to be scientifically proven.

Top 5 Most Common Terpenes Found in Cannabis

Terpenes: Complex Aromas in Cannabis

Earthy Terpene

Earthy

MYRCENE – Scents: Musk, Earth, Ripe Fruit – Found in: Mango, Lemongrass, Hops, Thyme
HUMULENE – Scents: Woody, Earth – Found in: Hops, Coriander
TERPINOLENE – Scents: Smoke, Wood, Pine – Found in: Apples, Cumin, Lilac, Tea Tree Oil, Conifers
BORNEOL – Scents: Menthol, Camphor, Rich Earth – Found in: Wormwood, Cinnamon
NEROLIDOL – Scents: Wood, Bark, Flowers, Apples – Found in: Citronella, Ginger, Orange Peel
CEDRENE – Scents: Cedar, Amber, Sandalwood, Patchouli – Found in: Cedar
CARENE – Scents: Earth, Pine, Forest Scents, Citrus – Found in: Bell Pepper, Pine, Citrus Fruits
ALPHA PINENE – Scents: Pine, Rosemary – Found in: Pines, Conifers, Rosemary, Sage

Spicy Terpene

Spicy

BETA-CARYOPHYLLENE – Scents: Peppery Spice, Wood – Found in: Black Pepper, Cloves, Balsam
SABINENE – Scents: Wood, Pepper, Spices – Found in: Oak, Tea Tree Oil, Black Pepper, Carrot Seed
TERPINEOL – Scents: Florals, Lilac, Lime, Cardamom, Clove – Found in: Cypress, Juniper Berries, Cardamom, Marjoram, Thyme
BORNEOL – Scents: Menthol, Camphor, Rich Earth – Found in: Wormwood, Cinnamon

Sweet Terpene

Sweet

MYRCENE – Scents: Musk, Earth, Ripe Fruit – Found in: Mango, Lemon Grass, Hops, Thyme
GERANIOL – Scents: Geranium, Rose, Citronella, Stone Fruits – Found in: Geraniums, Tobacco, Lemons
TERPINEOL – Scents: Florals, Lilac, Lime, Cardamom, Clove – Found in: Cypress, Juniper Berries, Cardamom, Marjoram, Thyme
NEROL – Scents: Bitter, Citrus, Rose – Found in: Cumin, Lilac, Apple, Tea Tree, Conifers
CITRONELLOL – Scents: Floral, Sweet Citrus, Rose – Found in: Roses, Geraniums, Lemon Grass

Floral Terpene

Floral

TERPINEOL – Scents: Florals, Lilac, Lime, Cardamom, Clove – Found in: Cypress, Juniper Berries, Cardamom, Marjoram, Thyme
OCIMENE – Scents: Flowers, Fruit, Herbs – Found in: Mint, Parsley, Pepper, Basil, Mango, Orchids
LINALOOL – Scents: Sweet Flowers, Citrus – Found in: Lavender and Many Flowers, Mint, Cinnamon
BISABOLOL – Scents: Fresh Flowers – Found in: Chamomile

Fruity Terpene

Fruity

GERANIOL – Scents: Geranium, Rose, Citronella, Stone Fruits – Found in: Geraniums, Tobacco, Lemons
LINALOOL – Scents: Sweet Flowers, Citrus – Found in: Lavender and Many Flowers, Mint, Cinnamon
OCIMENE – Scents: Flowers, Fruit, Herbs – Found in: Mint, Parsley, Pepper, Basil, Mango, Orchids
NEROLIDOL – Scents: Wood, Bark, Flowers, Apples – Found in: Citronella, Ginger, Orange Peel
CITRONELLOL – Scents: Floral, Sweet Citrus, Rose – Found in: Roses, Geraniums, Lemon Grass

Citrus Terpene

Citrus

LIMONENE – Scents: Lemon or Lime – Found in: Citrus Fruits, Juniper
VALENCENE – Scents: Oranges, Tangerines or Grapefruit – Found in: Citrus fruits, Valencia oranges
PHELLANDRENE – Scents: Citrus, Mint, Herbs, Pepper – Found in: Eucalyptus, Pine, Parsley, Dill, Mint, Lavender
CYMENE – Scents: Tangy Oranges, Carrots, Musk – Found in: Cumin, Thyme
CARENE – Scents: Earth, Pine, Forest Scents, Citrus – Found in: Bell Pepper, Pine, Citrus Fruits

Herbal Terpene

Herbal

ALPHA PINENE – Scents: Pine, Rosemary – Found in: Pines, Conifers, Rosemary, Sage
BETA PINENE – Scents: Dill, Parsley, Basil – Found in: Pines, Conifers, Rosemary, Sage
EUCALYPTOL – Scents: Eucalyptus, Mint, Spice – Found in: Eucalyptus
OCIMENE – Scents: Flower, Fruit, Herbs – Found in: Mint, Parsley, Pepper, Basil, Mango and Orchids
FENCHOL – Scents: Camphor, Pine, Lemon – Found in: Basil
MENTHOL – Scents: Cooling Mint – Found in: Various Mints
PHYTOL – Scents: Green Tea, Light Florals, Jasmine, Balsam – Found in: Green tea
ISOPULEGOL – Scents: Sweet Mint, Eucalyptus – Found in: Eucalyptus, Lemongrass, Geranium
PHELLANDRENE – Scents: Citrus, Mint, Herbs, Pepper – Found in: Eucalyptus, Pine, Parsley, Dill, Mint, Lavender
PULEGONE – Scents: Mint, Camphor – Found in: Peppermint, Catnip, Pennyroyal

Skunky Terpene

Skunky

MYRCENE – Scents: Musk, Earth, Ripe Fruit – Found in: Mango, Lemon Grass, Hops, Thyme
ALPHA-PINENE – Scents: Pine, Rosemary – Found in: Pines, Conifers, Rosemary, Sage
BETA-PINENE – Scents: Dill, Parsley, Basil – Found in: Pines, Conifers, Rosemary, Sage
BETA-CARYOPHYLLENE – Scents: Peppery Spice, Wood – Found in: Black Pepper, Cloves, Balsam
LIMONENE – Scents: Lemon, Lime – Found in: Citrus Fruits, Juniper
LINALOOL – Scents: Sweet Flowers, Citrus – Found in: Lavender and Many Flowers, Mint, Cinnamon

Cheesy Terpene

Cheesy

ALPHA-PINENE – Scents: Pine, Rosemary – Found in: Pines, Conifers, Rosemary, Sage
BETA-PINENE – Scents: Dill, Parsley, Basil – Found in: Pines, Conifers, Rosemary, Sage
BETA-CARYOPHYLLENE – Scents: Peppery Spice, Wood – Found in: Black Pepper, Cloves, Balsam
LIMONENE – Scents: Lemon, Lime – Found in: Citrus Fruits, Juniper
HUMULENE – Scents: Wood, Earth – Found in: Hops, Coriander
LINALOOL – Scents: Sweet Flowers, Citrus – Found in: Lavender and Many Flowers, Mint, Cinnamon
NEROLIDOL – Scents: Wood, Bark, Flowers, Apples – Found in: Citronella, Ginger, Orange Peel

Terpenes are one of many factors to consider when choosing the right cannabis product for you. Read more about these factors here.