Terpenes are the aromatic compounds that give each cannabis strain its smell and taste. They are not unique to cannabis: the same compounds are found in citrus peel, black pepper, pine needles, hops and tea tree. Each of our strain pages lists its leading terpenes, and this guide explains the five you will see most.
The five terpenes on our strain pages
Myrcene
Earthy, musky and herbal. Myrcene is also found in hops, mango and lemongrass. It leads in Northern Lights, OG Kush, Blue Zushi and Skywalker, and it appears further down the list in most of our other strains.
Caryophyllene
Peppery and spicy. Caryophyllene is also found in black pepper and cloves. It leads in Wedding Cake, Ice Cream Cake and Stardawg, and it is in the top three of every strain in this guide.
Limonene
Bright citrus. Limonene is the main aroma in lemon and orange peel. It leads in Lemon Haze, Runtz, Lemon Cherry Gelato, Mimosa and Layer Cake, and is second in Wedding Cake, Ice Cream Cake, OG Kush, Blue Zushi and Stardawg.
Pinene
Fresh pine, also found in pine needles and rosemary. It is second in Mimosa and third in Northern Lights.
Terpinolene
Fresh, piney and herbal, with a light floral and citrus edge. Terpinolene is also found in tea tree, nutmeg and conifers, and it is typical of Haze strains: in our range it is second in Lemon Haze.
Using terpenes to choose a strain
If you know you like a citrus, peppery or earthy aroma, the terpenes on each strain page are a quick way to find others with a similar profile. Terpenes shape aroma and flavour, and research into their wider role is still going on. For how the indica, sativa and hybrid labels fit in, see indica, sativa and hybrid: what the labels mean.
Keeping the aroma
Terpenes evaporate over time, so store flower in an airtight container somewhere cool, dry and dark, and out of the reach of children and pets.
Browse every strain in THC flowers.
Common questions
What are cannabis terpenes?
They are the aromatic compounds that give each strain its smell and taste, the same family of compounds found in citrus, pepper, hops and pine.
Which strains are high in limonene?
In our range, limonene leads in Lemon Haze, Runtz, Lemon Cherry Gelato, Mimosa and Layer Cake, and is second in Wedding Cake, Ice Cream Cake, OG Kush, Blue Zushi and Stardawg.
Which strains are high in myrcene?
Myrcene leads in Northern Lights, OG Kush, Blue Zushi and Skywalker.
Which strains are high in caryophyllene?
Caryophyllene leads in Wedding Cake, Ice Cream Cake and Stardawg, and it is in the top three of every strain in this guide.
What does terpinolene smell like?
Fresh, piney and herbal, with a light floral and citrus edge. In our range it is second in Lemon Haze.
Dispenseree is for adults aged 18 and over.