The Terroir of Cannabis

Cannabis producers, coffee growers, wineries and growers of many other agricultural products share a belief in the relevance of microclimates on product characteristics.

Terroir is the set of all environmental factors that affect a crop's phenotype, including unique environment contexts, farming practices and a crop's specific growth habitat. Collectively, these contextual characteristics are said to have a character; terroir also refers to this character.

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Terroir

Specific characteristics are attributed to the geographical region in which production occurs. A regions soil content, elevation, humidity, and temperature all contribute directly to the sensory experience of the end-product. This applies equally to cannabis, coffee, agave, and wines.

The unique attributes of microclimates in geographical regions such as the Sonoma, Napa, and Willamette Valleys are known for producing fine wines. Soils, elevation, and marine layer, along with native plant and animal species, combine to determine their unique character. This harmony of nature and nurture, this “flavor science,” is now being studied as it applies to craft cannabis.

Over 200 terpenoid compounds have been identified in cannabis.

https://mycannador.ca/articles/single/cannabis-flavor-profiles

Terpenes

What Makes A Cannabis Strain Unique?

Cannabinoid content is determined mostly by a plants genetics. THC, CBD, CBG, and CBN may come in many different combinations, but the specifics of cultivation can alter their concentration only slightly.

Unlike cannabinoids, the terpenes that produce the aromas and flavors of cannabis, are greatly effected by the conditions of cultivation.

~photo credit pixabay

Terpenes are found in many flowering plants. Lavender has linalool, lemons have limonene, cloves have β-caryophyllene, echinacea has asteraceae, and grapefruit has citrine.

These terpenes can be extracted for use in a variety of therapeutic, cosmetic, and household products. Unlike most plants which are identified by one terpene or another, cannabis has many of them.

Flavors and aromas found in cannabis can often be a complex combination of citrus, pine and earthy notes. Common terpenes such as Pinene, Limonene, β-myrcene, and Caryophyllene are standard.

However, there are many lower levels of terpenes, ones less developed. These terpenes are more adaptable than others and are very responsive to their environment. They’re just waiting to be coaxed out by a specific terroir. The science of terpenes is an emerging one. Not just how they effect us, but how they are produced. I am fascinated by this field of study.

Appellations

An appellation is a legally defined and protected geographical indication used to identify where crops were grown.
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Appellation

— It’s long been evident to cannabis farmers from the hills and valleys of the Emerald Triangle that if you plant some Bell Spring OG on a ridge near Albion, the flowers won’t turn out the same as if you plant it in a valley near Garberville. Whether it’s humidity or elevation, a particular mix of soil or the pruning method — there’s an undeniable difference.

https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.mendovoice.com/2018/09/california-cannabis-appellations/amp/

This is the presentation that really started my interest in this topic.

Cannabis Appellations Are Coming Soon

California officials plan to start implementation within a few years. Planning is already well underway.
https://www.cdfa.ca.gov/calcannabis/appellations.html

https://www.vivino.com/wine-news/terroir-what-is-it-and-why-is-it-controversial
https://www.verdantisadvisors.com/the-humboldt-effect-the-influence-of-microclimates-on-cannabis-production/