Does Decarboxylation Destroy Terpene [Terpene Edibles: the 2021 Guide]

There you are, smoking the strain you like, enjoying the relaxation that Kush Cookie brings you, and you might start to wonder - can I make the unique taste of the strain into my food? If you know about decarboxylation, you might start wondering,

Does decarboxylation kill terpenes?

To solve this wonder, we might dive into the world of decarboxylation. Decarboxylation it's mainly about THC and CBD. However, thc and CBD are not the only compound matters in a strain. In most cases, the strain you enjoy is a combination of its smell, the feeling it brings to you, and the ratio of its terpene, CBD, thc, CBG, etc.

So what is a terpene?

There is 130 more or less terpene in a cannabis plant. The combination of different terpenes makes each strain unique. Some terpenes make you relax, some make your body feel energetic, some make you more creative. Each of the terpenes has its boil point. When the terpene reaches its boil point, the terpene is ruined, and you will not be able to get benefits out of it. Decarboxylation is all about temperature, so controlling your decarb temperature under your terpene boil point will help you preserve the strain's taste. Below are boil points and some introduction to help you understand what a terpene is:

1. Myrcene. You can also find this terpene in parsley and thyme. It helps to relieve inflammation, sedation, and antibiotic effect. The boiling point of Myrcene is 332.6°F.

2. Ocimene. The taste of it is woodsy and sweet. It's permanently associated with coughing when smoking. It brings energizing to your body. The boiling point of Ocimene is 210°F which is also the boiling point of water.

3. Limonene. Like its name, this terpene smells like citrus. It helps to elevate mood and relieve stress. The boiling point of Limonene is 348°F.

4. Pinene. It's the most abundant type of terpene in cannabis and hemp. The smell of it is like pine trees and rosemary. The boiling point of Pinene is 311°F.

5. Caryophyllene. This terpene also interacts with CB2 receptors. It helps to reduce depression and cancer effects. The taste of it is like lavender and clove. The boiling point of Caryophyllene is 473°F.

6. Humulene. It's famous for appetite suppression and anti-inflammatory effect. The smell is spicy and gingery. The boiling point of Humulene is 223°F.

7. Terpinolene. Taste like apple and cumin, the terpene is rich in Sativa strains. It has antioxidant and antibacterial effects. The boiling point of Humulene is 367°F.

That’s why ECRU #DecarbKit or #Activator is so important to cannachef - no matter you are an expert or novice. Every edibles begins with perfect decarb and ECRU’s goal is to help you simplify and standardized the process.

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There are 4 preset mode in the #DecarbKit. The best thing for the preset mode is time and temp precision control. The thermometer monitors the micro environment inside the glass box. The countdown only starts when the temperature hits preset. Only by using this scientific method, you will achieve this slightly browned herb without stinking the kitchen.

To learn more about decarboxylation, please check below link to learn how to decarb with ECRU Decarb Kit.

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Are there other factors causing the degradation of terpene?

The answer is yes. Below are tips you should do if you want to keep cannabis flowers fresh and remain psychoactive.

1. Always store flowers in a dark and cool place. Do not expose bud to the sun! Brown glass or black glass is ideal for storage. Also, keep the temperature consistent. Do not put cannabis flower or bud near the stove or window.

2. Avoid any plastic or rubber container. Terpene degrades fast when touching plastic bags. Remember, glass is the best medium for preserving buds.

3. Store different strains in a separate container. The residual smell from the old container must be cleaned before storing new buds.

4. Keep stockpiles small. No matter you are a smoker or a chef, fresh cannabis is always the best. Don't stockpile too many flowers if you cannot consume them in a short period. The flower is brittle. You might lose some terpenes during storage.

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Conclusion:

Does decarboxylation destroy terpene? In most cases, decarb your flowers below 300°F can avoid wasting terpene, and you can preserve most of it. In the meanwhile, storing cannabis flowers properly will help keep the best of a fresh flower.