While cannabidiol, or CBD, is increasingly sought after for its many health benefits, we sometimes forget that it is also a product that offers a pleasurable taste and aroma. It is now available in a range of aromas and flavors to suit all types of consumers. Each variety is distinguished by its unique flavors, such as CBD flowers from the Diesel family, which have a gasoline-like scent.
The Taste of CBD and the Hemp Plant
CBD is extracted from the hemp plant. As a result, it largely retains the plant’s flavor characteristics. Regardless of the variety, cannabis produces flowers that, in turn, produce two compounds that directly affect the taste of their byproducts:
- Trichomes: small, sticky sacs containing cannabinoids and terpenes.
- Terpenes: the plant's natural aromas. Depending on their characteristics, they impart notes of musk, earth, grass, pine, citrus, or wood.
The terpene profile differs for each variety and includes a wide range of aromas, scents, and flavors, which can be found in legal CBD-rich products now widely available on the European market, particularly in France.
What is a terpene? Why does hemp have different flavors?
What are terpenes?
Terpenes are aromatic essential oils found in many plants. That’s why terpenes give CBD its flavor. They give plants their characteristic aroma, taste, and smell. It is the terpenes that are responsible for the fruity or minty flavors, the earthy aromas, and even that incredible citrus or cheesy scent found everywhere from the flower’s fragrance to the smoke of cannabis.
Hemp terpenes are produced in the same glands as THC and CBD. All three play a major role in the effects of dried cannabis flowers.
To date, approximately 200 different terpenes have been identified, many of which are unique to the cannabis plant.
Most consumers believe that cannabis is a plant with a musky scent. However, each cannabis strain has its own unique scent, which is determined by the presence of different types of terpenes.
If you just want to choose your favorite cannabis strain, all you need to know is about terpenes! You can easily choose flowers whose smell and taste suit your preferences.
What are the main terpenes in CBD?
Although they belong to a class of hydrocarbons, terpenes have very different properties. Here’s a look at the main cannabidiol terpenes and their roles.
- Myrcene: The characteristic earthy flavor of "light" cannabis
Myrcene is probably the best-known terpene—at least in terms of its smell—when it comes to cannabis. You’ve likely heard (or noticed) that CBD-rich hemp almost always has earthy aromas. Look no further—myrcene is the culprit. Also found in fruits and herbs as diverse as mango, bay leaf, sage, and cumin, it is said to have anti-inflammatory properties.
- Caryophyllene: The Power of Spices
Caryophyllene —or, to give it its full name, beta-caryophyllene—is a terpene with a spicy, peppery aroma. It’s no surprise that it’s found in abundance in black pepper, cloves, cinnamon, and even rosemary. It’s also said to be effective as a topical pain reliever and anti-inflammatory.
Along with myrcene, caryophyllene is one of the two most common terpenes in CBD. Together, they give “cannabis light” its distinctive earthy and spicy character. Their combination creates a balance that has made certain strains iconic.
- Limonene: The Tartness of Citrus Fruits
As its name suggests, limonene imparts a strong lemon—or, more broadly, citrus—flavor. That’s why it adds that lovely touch of tartness to strains like Futura 75 and most Diesel strains. Also found in mint and juniper, limonene is widely used in perfumes and cosmetics, but is also said to have sedative and antibiotic properties.
- Pinen: Resin and Pine Forests
Pinen is ubiquitous in nature: conifers, sage, rosemary, mint, lavender, ginger… It’s a bit less prominent among CBD hemp strains, but its distinctive resin and pine aromas make it impossible not to mention. You’ll quickly recognize it in strains like Remedy CBD or Mango Kush. It’s also said to have anti-inflammatory properties and to soothe the bronchial tubes.
- Humulene: The Fruity Bitterness of Hops
Here’s the CBD terpene that all craft beer lovers know well because it tastes like hops—from which it was first isolated! It’s also found in sage, black pepper, and ginseng, which, like hemp, have anti-inflammatory and anticancer properties.
- Ocimene, terpinolene, linalool, bisabolol, and others
The list of natural terpenes is long, and they all have very different properties and aromas. The same is true for legal cannabis, which offers a wide range of strains, all of which are distinguished by their effects and/or aromas. Other terpenes include ocimene, which has a very herbal scent; terpinolene (somewhere between herbs and citrus); linalool (which smells like lavender); and bisabolol, which has a very floral scent and is also found in chamomile.
What about other CBD products?
While flowers are prized for their aroma, CBD oils are valued more for their benefits than for their flavor. If you don't like the taste of hemp oil, there are many ways to get the most out of CBD products without being bothered by the taste.
Using CBD Oil with Mint
Traditional CBD oil is made by pressing hemp seeds to extract the oil. It has a very strong taste, which can be described as having notes of hazelnut and grass. Some people enjoy this taste, while others may find it hard to stomach. That’s why you can try mint-flavored CBD oil. Made with MCT oil, it offers the benefits of CBD without the hemp taste. You’ll enjoy minty breath and a refreshing sensation in your mouth, along with a sense of relaxation.
For your convenience, you can choose our wild mint CBD oils. They offer all the benefits of hemp combined with the freshness of mint. They are perfectly formulated to reduce stress and relieve anxiety. These CBD oils will also help improve sleep by helping you fall asleep faster and ensuring a more restful night’s sleep.
Mint is by no means unknown. It is a very popular herb. In fact, it is widely used in cooking, where it is highly prized for its taste and, above all, its aroma. It’s also worth noting that mint aids digestion and contains many minerals and vitamins. It is therefore a herb that is very rich in nutrients. Mint can also be eaten fresh or dried.
In short, hemp offers a wide variety of aromas. The flowers are the most fragrant CBD products. Each strain has its own unique terpene profile. Each strain has its own unique terpene profile. To explore this diversity without breaking the bank, our selection ofCBD at €1 per gramlets you try different hemp flavors at an unbeatable price, while enjoying the benefits of cannabidiol. With oils, it’s a different story. They all have the same flavor due to the hemp oil. If some people don’t like the taste, they can opt for mint-flavored CBD oil.
