At Seed & Smith, “terpene-rich” isn’t just a catchphrase — it’s a promise. If you’ve ever cracked open a fresh jar of live resin or taken the first hit off a brand–new Dart pod, you know what we mean: bold, mouthwatering flavor and an authentic aromatic punch. But ever wondered what really happens to terpenes from the moment cannabis is harvested, dried, and extracted? Here’s the science behind making sure your favorite strain stays true to its roots, from plant to final product.
Terpenes: Nature’s Fragrant Architects
Terpenes are the aromatic compounds that give cannabis its signature scents — pine, citrus, floral, earthy, and beyond. They play a starring role in the “entourage effect,” working alongside cannabinoids to shape mood, energy, appetite, and more. Terpenes are also fragile and volatile, making them notoriously tricky to preserve during extraction.
Why Extraction Methods Matter: The Science of Terpene Preservation
Extraction can either elevate or diminish terpene content. Hydrocarbon extraction (also known as butane hash oil (BHO) extraction), when properly executed at low temperatures with flash-frozen plants, can preserve a broad spectrum of terpenes for robust, true-to-flower live resin. Solventless methods rely on gentle pressure and fresh flower to retain terpene character and produce products like ice water hash and live rosin. CO2 extraction offers clean results but requires expert calibration to avoid stripping away the most delicate aromatics.
Critical Factors: Temperature, Pressure, and Fresh vs. Cured Material
- Temperature: Most cannabis terpenes degrade between 70 – 100 degrees Fahrenheit, so keeping extraction processes cool is key.
- Pressure: High pressure helps isolate terpene blends optimally, especially in CO2 runs.
- Fresh-Frozen vs. Cured: Live concentrates use fresh-frozen buds to lock in terpenes otherwise lost during curing, compared to cured biomass where the profile shifts notably.
Live Resin: The Seed & Smith Difference
At Seed & Smith, our concentrate lineup is largely made up of live resin, because our process is engineered for terpene integrity at every step.
We harvest plants at peak freshness, flash-freeze them at –40 degrees Fahrenheit in cryochambers, and use a custom hydrocarbon blend with a slow, low-temp purge. This locks in those monoterpenes and preserves the aroma straight from the garden. During extraction, we let THCA crystals and terpene-rich sauce separate naturally, often over several days, keeping the pure essence of the live plant.
When crafting the Live Resin Oil used in our Dart pods and 510 cartridges, those separated terpenes are delicately stored and then reintroduced post-extraction, ensuring the flavor and potency remain as true as a fresh dab.
Why It Matters: Experience and Efficacy
Preserved terpenes mean everything: richer flavor, truer aroma, and more potent, nuanced effects. Every batch of S&S live concentrate is the product of intentional choices — select harvest timing, rapid freezing, and carefully engineered extraction that keeps even the most delicate terpenes intact. At Seed & Smith, flavor isn’t accidental, it’s preserved with intention. Our gentle extraction process locks in delicate terpenes, guaranteeing each gram and each cart delivers the vibrant flavors and powerful effects connoisseurs crave. This is more than just a process — it’s a promise that Seed & Smith‘s live series delivers unmatched experience and real efficacy, every single time.
Go Deeper & Learn More:
Want to geek out even further? Join us on a free tour of our facilities and get a firsthand look at Seed & Smith’s extraction processes, or check out these research-backed articles and studies for flavor fans and science nerds alike: