Terpene

Terpenes are aromatic organic compounds produced by the cannabis plant (and many other plants) that give each strain its distinct smell and flavor. Major cannabis terpenes include myrcene (earthy/musky), limonene (citrus), caryophyllene (peppery/spicy), pinene (pine), linalool (floral/lavender), and humulene (hoppy). Terpene content is increasingly cited as a meaningful contributor to a strain's effect profile.

Example: This strain's caryophyllene-dominant terpene profile gives it that peppery exhale.

Etymology: From the German 'Terpentin' (turpentine), referring to the tree resin where terpenes were first isolated.