Minty Terpenes: How Plants Get Their Minty Smell and Taste
Terpenes are aromatic and flavorful compounds found in many plants, including cannabis. The more than 200 terpenes in cannabis serve an array of purposes during cultivation, but consumers are most familiar with the smell and taste they impart on their chosen cannabis product. From citrus to cinnamon, terpenes have diverse tastes which can be quite pronounced in some cannabis products.
One group of terpenes is notable for its fresh, minty flavor. This has led them to be popular choices among some consumers, and a desirable trait for producers to emphasize. Cannabis testing labs can help identify these minty terpenes.
In this blog, you will learn:
Which terpenes are minty
More about menthol and eucalyptol, the most well known minty terpenes
How minty terpenes, and all terpenes, influence the cannabis experience
Which terpenes are minty?
These are some terpenes, not all of which are found in cannabis, that offer a minty aroma and flavor. Some of these terpenes include:
Carvacrol: A secondary terpene in cannabis, carvacrol is notable for its presence in oregano, sage, and cumin. Carvacrol is an effective sanitizer, fighting off microbes, bacteria, viruses, and fungi -- in fact, it is often used in commercial disinfectants. But carvacrol is also found in food preservatives, perfumes, and in cannabis in trace amounts.
Nepetalactone: Nepetalactone could be nicknamed “THC for cats” because this terpene is present in catnip. While cannabis and catnip are not related, the way nepetalactone influences cats’ perceptions could be interpreted as an analog to THC in humans.
Thymol: Thymol is a colorless, crystalline terpene that is found in abundance in the herb with which it shares a name: thyme. It can also be found in small amounts in cannabis. Thymol is closely related to carvacrol and, like it, offers antibacterial, antiviral, antifungal, and antimicrobial properties.
Methyl chavicol: Also known as estragole, this terpene can be found in tarragon oil, turpentine, basil, and a wide range of essential oils. It is commonly used in perfumes and flavoring, but can also be found in cannabis and hemp. Like some other minty terpenes, estragole has been observed to reduce chronic inflammation. It has also been studied for its antiparasitic properties.
Beta-phellandrene: Phellandrene, which comes in alpha and beta varieties (like the major cannabis terpene pinene), is found primarily in the eucalyptus plant and is notable for a woody, minty aroma and flavor. In cannabis, phellandrene appears in well known strains like Jack Herer and Trainwreck.
Limited research has been conducted on this terpene, but it is easily absorbed, making it a useful ingredient in cosmetics. Research into the therapeutic effects of phellandrene remains limited to a few animal studies and in vitro studies, which were largely inconclusive and offered little insight into how trace amounts of phellandrene in cannabis would affect humans, if at all.
Most of these minty terpenes only appear in cannabis in small amounts. Even the most abundant cannabis-derived terpenes, like myrcene, are typically present in low levels in cannabis products, ranging from less than 0.5% to 1%. However, some of the terpenes mentioned above are present in levels lower than 0.1%. Still, in some cases, that is enough to lend a minty freshness to a cannabis product.
However, no list of minty terpenes would be complete without two major household names: menthol and eucalyptol.
Menthol and cannabis
Menthol is a terpene alcohol that is also known as peppermint camphor. It is typically derived from peppermint oil, an extract of the peppermint plant, for use in medicines, foods, and other consumer products. Menthol is a common ingredient in cough drops, perfumes, topical products, and a range of other items.
As a therapeutic agent, menthol can help to relieve coughs and sore throats. It also makes a useful agent in mouthwash as an antibacterial that is effective at treating cold sores and reducing inflammation. Finally, menthol also appears effective as an analgesic, offering relief from pain related to a wide range of conditions.
In cannabis, the terpene only appears in trace amounts, rarely significant enough to elicit any discernible therapeutic or psychoactive effects. However, some cultivars, such as those in the Kush family, have high enough levels of menthol to provide a cooling sensation when consumed. Other strains with relatively high amounts of menthol include Gelato 45 and Malawi Gold.
Eucalyptol and cannabis
Eucalyptol is a terpene that appears frequently in herbs like rosemary, sage, and bay leaves. It is typically found in cannabis in low levels, comprising less than 0.1% of the overall compound profile. Sometimes called cineol, eucalyptol is also commonly used in aromatherapy. Cultivars with relatively high amounts of eucalyptol include Dutch Treat, Girl Scout Cookies (GSC), and Super Silver Haze.
Eucalyptol has been observed to offer anti-inflammatory and antioxidant characteristics, which could be useful in helping to manage symptoms associated with a wide range of chronic diseases, including chronic pain. It can also penetrate the blood-brain barrier, making it an effective carrier to deliver substances directly to the brain.
How minty terpenes can shape the cannabis experience
Terpenes, like cannabinoids, contribute to a phenomenon known as “the entourage effect.” This theory suggests that terpenes can augment or enhance the effects of one another when consumed. The most common example of this is how CBD is thought to mitigate the intoxicating effects of THC, making balanced THC:CBD ratios ideal for consumers who don’t like to feel “high.”
When it comes to actually tasting mint flavors in cannabis, that is less common than other floral, citrus, or woody notes commonly associated with cannabis. Since many of the minty terpenes mentioned above are present in trace amounts, while other terpenes like myrcene and beta caryophyllene tend to be more abundant in cannabis, their effects may not be as prominent or notable. However, minty aromas and flavors are often so powerful, they may be able to cut through and add a bit of an icy kick to a cannabis product. And, they may contribute to a unique experience when present alongside different combinations of cannabinoids and other terpenes.
Testing for terpenes
Terpene profiling is conducted by cannabis testing labs to identify and quantify all the terpenes present in a given sample. Terpene profiling is performed by the same processes a lab uses to determine the phytocannabinoid profile of a plant: high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). In HPLC, analysts use an ultraviolet (UV) light emitter to force cannabinoids and terpenes to degrade. While degrading and converting, these compounds are measured by analysts, who can then quantify the complete compound profile of a plant. In this way, minty terpenes (and all other terpenes and cannabinoids) can be categorized and measured.
True terpene profiles emphasize cannabis product quality
A detailed breakdown of a product’s compound profile benefits both cannabis producers and consumers. In New Jersey, where the newly legalized adult use market is ramping up, producers need to know terpene profiles to help create a consistent product and a brand identity -- after all, taste and smell are strong emotional anchors. And for consumers, certain blends of terpenes may be preferable, for therapeutic reasons or simply for the kind of cannabis experience they want to have.
No matter why they want to see these test results, True Labs for Cannabis provides thorough and accurate cannabis terpene assessments for all licensed operators in New Jersey. Reach out to True Labs to schedule a consultation.