Terpenes in Food – Tips to Pairing Terpenes With Meals

With the legalization of edibles across the globe, many people are experimenting with producing foods with terpenes for cannabis-infused delicious meals. Even among individuals who tend to buy their delicacies ready-made, terpenes in food are gaining popularity for their complementary properties. People are more into learning; how can they blend terpenes in foods?

Terpenes are flavor profiles of chemicals. They can be found in cannabis and in a variety of fruits, veggies, plants as well as other herbs. Hydrocarbons are fragrant, aromatic molecules that give particular foods and plant their distinct flavor as well as aroma. Citrus fruits, spices, and perhaps even root vegetables like carrots are all high foods with terpenes.

In reality, there are two key reasons why cannabis users should investigate terpenes guide for preparing meal pairings. First, there’s the flavor. Some flavors mix well together, while others don’t. 

For example, if you’re cooking a dessert with sweet citrus (limonene) notes, never use a strain high in caryophyllene (black pepper). If you do so, you’ll wind up with an odd and maybe disagreeable flavor combo.

Furthermore, the terpenes you utilize will have an impact on the effects you experience after consuming cannabis. As previously stated, cannabis and terpenes interact to cause a variety of effects. If you’re looking for a certain effect from edibles, it’s a good idea to look into terpene food combinations.

Continue reading to discover some of the most prevalent terpenes in food, and how it is to experience cooking with terpenes.

Adding Flavor To Meals With Terpenes

There are some particular foods that go well with many terpenes. Let’s have a look at them:

1. Linalool with Food 

Linalool is abundant in lavender and geraniums. It has a semi-sweet, flowery fragrance. Linalool goes well enough with desserts or any food that contains vanilla. Linalool-rich terpenes in food can be utilized to enhance the flavors of vanilla ice cream. It also works best with dark chocolate. Shishkaberry strain is normally high in Linalool. 

2. Caryophyllene with Food

Hops, cloves, and black pepper all are packed with caryophyllene. It has a spicy, woody scent that seasoned cannabis users would identify as one of the most common. It goes well with eggs or you can use it to spice up steak, jerk chicken, or chili con carne. Wappa is one of the strains high in caryophyllene. 

3. Myrcene with Food

The musky, earthy, and herbal scents of some strains are due to myrcene. It can be found in thyme and mangoes. Myrcene pairs well with savory dishes. This is because of the herbal overtones of these terpenes for food. With salmon, quiche, or a grilled ham and cheese sandwich, it’s a winner. Sensi Star is high in myrcene.

4. Pinene with Food

Pinene is yet another option that can be used for food with terpenes. This terpene is found in pine trees, and it has a distinct piney fragrance. Use pinene-rich strains in dishes that would normally be garnished with scented herbs. For example rosemary and thyme. Sauteed zucchini with pine nuts or mashed potatoes are two possibilities. Wappa and Shishkaberry are two pinene-rich stains. 

Foods High in Terpenes 

One type of terpenes for food can be identified in every food item and even spices. Prepare to add these goods to your shopping list, because you’ll want to stock up once you know where to find them. 

1. Apples

One of the most fascinating aspects of apples is their enormous variation. Apples that seem to be sour, such as Granny Smiths, or apples that are sweeter, such as Honeycrisps, are easily available. But diverse terpene profiles come with all of those various flavors and feelings.

Plus, newer kinds don’t have as many terpenes for food as heirloom varieties due to the way we’ve produced apples.

Terpinolene and Alpha-Farnesene are seen in the bulk of apple terpene profiles. Limonene is present in some types, but not all.

2. Citrus Fruits 

Speaking about Limonene, it’s found in abundance in practically all citrus fruits. The name should have given it away! 

Lemons, limes, mandarins, oranges, grapefruits, and other citrus fruits come to mind. Aside from the numerous health benefits provided by Vitamin C found in citrus fruits, limonene does have its own extensive list of potential therapeutic properties.

3. Mangoes

It didn’t seem fair not to begin with mangoes. Terpenes for food users have claimed for years that consuming mangoes while consuming cannabis improves their pleasure. They weren’t entirely wrong, as it turned out to be right.

Mangoes are supposed to have this potential because of their high Myrcene content. According to one study, this is due to myrcenes’ capacity to influence the blood-brain barrier, allowing cannabinoids to access the brain more easily.

4. Spices 

We all know that food with terpenes is mostly about aroma and flavor. It’s no surprise that they’re rich in herbs and spices. You should really be looking into your spice cabinet in particular! 

Beta-caryophyllene is found in many spices, making it ideal for anyone wishing to add anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, and mood-enhancing effects to their meals. 

Beta-Caryophyllene is found in the following common spices:

• Basil
• Rosemary
• Cinnamon
• Oregano
• Lavender
• Cloves

Exploring Terpenes From Food

Terpenes in foods are valued for their benefits. They are found in spices, teas, and essential oils that many of us ingest or use daily. 

It can also be found in some herbs that are known to possess valuable anti-inflammatory benefits, such as curcumin and thyme. Let’s explore some terpenes in food. 

1. Humulene

It is normally found in hops, sage, and ginseng. The aroma of this terpene is more on the herbal and spicy side. It’s utilized as a depressant and anti-inflammatory. Sour Diesel and Gelato are some of the cannabis strains having greater quantities of Humulene.

2. Myrcene

It is normally found in mangoes, hops, and guava. The aroma of myrcene is more towards the earthy, musky, and woodsy side. It’s utilized for anxiety relief and relaxation. Grape Ape, Girl Scout Cookies, and OG Kush are some of the cannabis strains with greater myrcene levels.

3. Limonene

Normally found in oranges, lemons, limes, grapefruit, and mandarins. Limonene has a zesty, pungent profile. It’s a positive allosteric modulator, anti-anxiety, and antidepressant. Wedding Cake and Quantum Kush are among the cannabis strains having greater levels of Limonene.

4. Phytol

Phytol is abundant in the skin of nuts. It has a light, floral scent. It has anti-anxiety, anti-inflammatory, and sedative properties. Sour Diesel and Blue Dream are some of the terpenes with food having greater Phytol contents.

Terpenes in Essential Oils

The “essence” of a plant’s aroma profile is captured in essential oils. They’re concentrated forms of hydrophobic solutions of fragrance chemicals, with concentrations in the milligrams, sometimes grams, or per milliliter of oil. The majority of essential oils are derived naturally from plants using methods such as solvent extraction, steam distillation, and cold pressing.

Terpenes in food are prevalent in most of the other items we know and love. But aromatherapy using terpene-rich essential oils is one of the most common uses of terpenes.

Summary

We utilize food and drinks to define and highlight elements of our daily routine right? Whether we realize it or not. Food with terpenes is abundant, gently coloring our experiences and offering a helping, healthy hand, whether it’s a calm breakfast alone or dinner and drinks with coworkers.

Check out our top-quality terpenes to see if there’s anything worth salivating over if you’re a chef trying to create some new unique terpene-infused cuisine!

Rare Terpenes think that when it comes to terpenes with foods and beverages, the possibilities are nearly unlimited. Our terpene strains and isolates all come in a variety of flavor and aroma profiles. You can mix and match with a number of meals and beverages you love. 

FAQ

1. What role do terpenes play in food?

Terpenes in foods are highly fragrant chemicals that give many plants and herbs, such as rosemary and lavender, their distinct scents. 

2. Are terpenes present in all essential oils?

While all essential oils comprise terpenes, they also consist of a variety of other chemicals. On the other hand, terpenes are monomers of essential oils.

3. Are terpenes found in carrots?

Terpenes in food are a class of secondary metabolites found in carrots that influence flavor and taste. Some of them may also operate as bioactive chemicals that affect physiological changes and wellbeing.