What Is High Terpene Full Spectrum Extract (HTFSE)

What is HTFSE?

High-Terpene Full-Spectrum Extracts — or HTFSE — may not be terms that rolls off the tongue, but these innovative and aromatic new concentrate types are taking the dabbing market by storm. In order to understand what HTFSE are, you must first understand what full-spectrum extracts are. Full-spectrum extracts contain a complete range of the marijuana strain’s original and medically-applicable chemical compounds such as cannabinoids, terpenes and flavonoids.

Full-spectrum extracts consist of two parts: HTFSE and high-cannabinoid full-spectrum extracts (HCFSE). HCFSE contain a high concentration of cannabinoids, but are lacking in terpene levels and aroma. Furthermore, HCFSE has a gritty and diamond-like consistency when extracted and separated alongside HTFSE. HTFSE contains higher-than-normal levels of terpenes and has a liquid and sauce-like consistency, which can be difficult to handle. HTFSE can contain about 50 percent cannabinoids and anywhere from 13 to 40 percent terpenes. Check out this full spectrum vape high voltage carts online.

It’s all about the trichomes

When extracting cannabis compounds from the plant, the main goal is to reap all of the available trichome glands without the undesirable plant matter that can taste harsh when dabbed. Concentrates that are darker in color may contain this unwanted plant material. Trichomes, however, are tiny botanical outgrowths that contain the strain’s unique cannabinoids, which include THC, CBD and other minor cannabinoids such as CBG, CBC and CBN. These minor cannabinoids also provide health benefits.

A full-spectrum extract takes out all of the cannabinoids including inactive compounds such as THCA and CBDA. These are the acidic precursors to their parent compounds, THC and CBD, respectively. THCA can be activated through decarboxylation, which can occur during cooking, dabbing, or smoking extracts. Capturing this diverse set of compounds is crucial to producing solid HTFSE.

How is HTFSE made?

HTFSE start off with high-quality cured, fresh or flash-frozen cannabis buds, which contain the highest levels of terpenes in the plant’s life cycle. Much of the HCFSE use harsh extraction processes that degrade terpenes in the plant. Because terpenes have lower boiling points than most cannabinoids, they are the first to degrade in high-temperature and pressure extraction equipment.

Modern-day manufacturers have perfected their solvent-based and closed-loop extraction processes to retain as much of the terpenes as possible. Extraction companies can use a variety of solvents such as butane, propane, or carbon dioxide to dissolve chemical compounds in the raw material. State-of-the-art extraction equipment utilizes low-temperatures to capture the fragile and aromatic compounds.

After extraction, the concentrate is left to naturally separate into its individual components, HTFSE and HCFSE. After the desired separation and cannabinoid crystal formation occurs, the solutions are purged to remove any leftover solvents. HTFSE may contain fewer cannabinoids than HCFSE, but users report a more complex and balanced experience compared to dabbing HCFSE.

HTFSE are flavorful and potent

Given that HTFSE contains fewer cannabinoids than HCFSE, why would anyone opt for terpene-rich extracts? Cannabis researchers believe that the entire range of cannabinoids, flavonoids and terpenes have a synergistic experience on the body’s endocannabinoid system. Extracts such as distillates tout high-cannabinoid levels, but lack the nuance of HTFSE.

Chemical compounds in cannabis have an “entourage effect” that can provide users with a new and possibly better experience. HTFSE retains the strain’s unique terpene composition, so that you can enjoy an unparalleled flavor and effect. Even with a lower cannabinoid potency, HTFSE may provide benefits to those who aren’t looking to experience intense psychoactive effects.