For those familiar with the OG of cannabis concentrates, hashish has always possessed a unique flavor and aromatic profile that sets it apart from cannabis flower. With terpenes being responsible for the taste and smell of weed, it stands to reason that terps would account for this difference in flavor, and a recent study confirmed just that with the discovery of a brand new one that appears to be unique to hash.
Cannabis Terpenes: Hashinene
In 2014, a French study which sought to identify cannabis markers that would lead to improved drug detection techniques accidentally stumbled upon a discovery. Using gas chromatography to analyse compounds found in cannabis, they noticed that a particular compound jumped out when they looked at hash samples. A previously unknown terpene was found in very large quantities in the samples tested, and was quickly dubbed ‘Hashinene.’
Hashinene: A Cannabis Derived Terpene
Because hashinene is not produced by the cannabis plant itself, it begs the question, where does it come from? Well, scientists speculate that hashinene is an oxidation bi-product of Beta-Myrcene, one of the most abundant terpenes found in cannabis. This is because flower contains large quantities of Myrcene whereas hash has relatively small amounts of it, suggesting that Myrcene is converted into hashinene during the hash making process.
Hashinene Properties
While the new terp hashinene is widely thought to be responsible for the unique flavor and aroma of hash, so new is the discovery that very little is understood for sure. Scientific research into hashinene is still in its infancy, and that means we can only speculate as to its potential properties and effects. Unfortunately, we will have to wait and see what wonders this particular terp has locked away within itself.
Terpenes in Weed
Cannabinoids like THC and CBD may grab all the headlines when it comes to discussing the various effects that cannabis can elicit, but terpenes play a much larger role in the overall makeup of cannabis than they are given credit for. Here at Rosin Tech we absolutely love terpenes, so, if you’re interested in learning more about them then be sure to check out our basic introductory primer, and also our more in depth Terpenes 101 series for more information on these wonderful cannabis compounds.
