Terpenes Guide
CANNABIS
TERPENES
Terpenes are the aromatic compounds that give each cannabis strain its own scent and flavor. Learn about the most important terpenes, their aromas and where they occur in nature.
What are Terpenes?
THE AROMAS OF CANNABIS
Terpenes are organic compounds found in cannabis and many other plants. They're responsible for the characteristic scents, from fruity-sweet to earthy-spicy. You know many of them from citrus fruit, herbs, hops or pine needles.
Main Terpenes
MEET THE TERPENES
Myrcene
Aroma
Earthy, musky, herbal
Profile
Monoterpene, usually the most abundant terpene in cannabis
Common in: Indica strains, mango, thyme, lemongrass
The most abundant terpene in cannabis. Myrcene brings earthy, musky notes and also occurs in mango, hops and thyme.
Limonene
Aroma
Citrus, lemon, orange
Profile
Monoterpene, shapes citrus notes
Common in: Sativa strains, lemons, oranges, mint
Limonene gives cannabis strains a fresh citrus aroma. It is found mainly in lemon and orange peel and is common in Sativa-dominant strains.
Pinene
Aroma
Pine, forest, fresh
Profile
Monoterpene, shapes resinous pine notes
Common in: Hybrid strains, pine trees, rosemary, basil
Pinene smells like fresh pine forest and is the most widespread terpene in nature. It occurs in conifers, rosemary and basil.
Caryophyllene
Aroma
Spicy, peppery, woody
Profile
Sesquiterpene, shapes peppery notes
Common in: Various strains, black pepper, cloves, cinnamon
Caryophyllene adds spicy, peppery notes. It is one of the few sesquiterpenes in cannabis and is abundant in black pepper and cloves.
Linalool
Aroma
Floral, lavender, sweet
Profile
Monoterpene alcohol, shapes floral notes
Common in: Indica strains, lavender, coriander, birch
Linalool smells like lavender and gives cannabis strains a floral, slightly sweet note. It also occurs in coriander and many flowering plants.
Humulene
Aroma
Hoppy, earthy, woody
Profile
Sesquiterpene, shapes hoppy, woody notes
Common in: Various strains, hops, coriander, basil
Humulene is also found in hops and gives beer its characteristic aroma. In cannabis it often appears together with caryophyllene.
DISCOVER STRAINS
BY TERPENES
In the Highcovery app you can filter strains by terpene profile and compare aromas.
To Strain Database