SANTA CRUZ, Calif. - The Emerald Cup is testing and sorting flower entries into categories using terpene data as part of the judging process.
SC Labs has tested all of the Cup's flower entries and created profiles that detail the chemical properties of each cannabis varietal with a focus on terpenes.
Terpenes are the compounds that are predominantly responsible for the unique aromas and flavors in cannabis, but also contribute to the effects felt by the user along with the pharmacological and therapeutic effects of the cannabinoids.
"Cannabis consumers have often solely looked to THC content as the primary indicator of quality. Terpene content is the other half of the equation,"
"Historic Emerald Cup data has shown year after year that the judges' picks and winners have never had anything to do with THC content when compared to the averages, but winners consistently test much higher in terpene content than the rest of the field. The real quantitative quality marker in cannabis is terpene concentration."
Alec Dixon, co-founder and Director of Client Relations.
The 2021 Emerald Cup entries were placed into categories based on one of six primary terpene groups, color coded and anonymized prior to being given to judges.
The six primary terpene groups are: Myrcene, β-Caryophyllene, Limonene, Terpinolene, a-Pinene, and β-Ocimene groups. Each primary group contains approximately 2-3 subgroups, based upon primary and secondary terpene content.
These account for about 12 archetypal profiles that define the range of aroma, flavor, and the "entourage effects" that the cannabis plant has to offer.
The term entourage effect is used to describe the unique effects from one cannabis varietal to the next caused by the unique blend of bioactive ingredients.
Original Press Release: www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/the-emerald-cup-2021-and-sc-labs-partner-on-new-data-driven-approach-to-judging-301265561.html