The Lab

A Taste of Paradise

The Science Behind the Best-Tasting Cannabis Beverages

By Patricia Miller

What are your favorite flavors in a beverage? Perhaps you want something crisp and refreshing with fragrant, fizzy notes that delight the palate and invigorate the senses. All these sensations are the result of delicate terpenes creating flavor profiles we associate with quenching thirst. It’s not just preference — it’s science! There are so many tasty terpenes, but which are the most craveable for creating an irresistible beverage?

Emulsion First, Flavor Second

Terpenes and cannabinoids are not watersoluble. Their oily nature means they don’t play well with water and will separate. The resulting products aren’t shelf-stable and will likely leave bits of sediment at the bottom of the beverage, or worse yet, leech into the packaging or float on the top. Choose terpenes and cannabinoids that have already been through an emulsion process, or emulsify your products, so they blend seamlessly into the final beverage.

Fun, Fragrant Flavors

Some of the industry’s best-selling cannabis beverages rely on tried and true flavor profiles. Headset reported one of 2021’s best-selling beverages was Sunset Pink Lemonade from Major. Who doesn’t love Pink Lemonade? It’s fruity, uplifting, a tiny bit tart, with a subtle sweetness to balance it out.

Terpenes in the “Pink Lemonade” family include limonene, beta-caryophyllene, linalool, and myrcene. Cannabis technology company Eybna specializes in terpene science. It offers a breakdown of each of its signature flavors so producers can see which terpenes create a seemingly simple flavor like Pink Lemonade.

Unlike other drinks, cannabis beverages aren’t popular strictly because they taste appealing. People are buying them for the effects! This could be another reason why Pink Lemonade is in such high demand. Limonene, betacaryophyllene, and myrcene are all stimulating terpenes, beloved for their mood-boosting properties. Research conducted by several terpene providers, including Abstrax and Eybna, determined myrcene has sedative and motor relaxant effects, giving the user a feeling of calm and relaxation.

Familiar Favorites

What pairs better with barbeque pork and a hot summer day than an ice-cold root beer? Its malty sweetness transports you back to grandma’s house, diving into a frothy root beer float. Headset reported Keef Cola’s Bubba Kush Root Beer was the third best-selling beverage in the first quarter of 2021. The dominant terpenes in root beer are pinene, myrcene, cymene, and geraniol.

Pinene has a spicy, woody aroma. Studies with mice have shown pinene to have antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties with some sedative effects. This relaxing yet spicy terpene is present in OG Kush, which Eybna classified as the “most popular phenotype in the world.”

Cymene is abundant in cumin and thyme oil. It’s valued for its woody notes. Research on human cells indicates this terpene is antiinflammatory and has pain-relieving properties.

Geraniol is a versatile terpene. It’s often used in scented candles and hygiene products for its rose-like scent. It can also reproduce the

fruitiness of plum and watermelon. While these notes may be subtle in a flavor like Root Beer, it’s the effects that make this terpene so powerful. Numerous studies have shown Geraniol to have antifungal and antioxidant qualities. It’s also being studied for its ability to fight cancer cells.

Something for Sipping

Uncle Arnie’s Sweet Peach Iced Tea is another top-selling favorite, according to Headset. Sweet tea is nostalgic, at least for those with some Southern heritage. Add delicate peach undertones and the result is one of America’s most enduring flavor combinations.

Perfecting a flavor profile that’s so well known can be a challenge. If everyone knows how it’s supposed to taste, any unusual notes will stand out on the palate. terpenes include caryophyllene, limonene, and humulene. Many of these notes are available in other tea terpene formulations, like Abstrax’s Green Tea Terpene blend. The peach notes are fruity and a bit sour, with heavy concentrations of myrcene and trans-beta-ocimene.

Caryophyllene brings a peppery element noted to have anti-anxiety effects. It’s also the focus of several studies researching Alzheimer’s and diabetes prevention. Limonene is, you guessed it, sweet and citrusy. Eybna reports it is one of the most common terpenes in nature and it’s laden with therapeutic effects ranging from antiviral to anti-inflammatory.

Humulene was named after the plant from which it was first extracted, Humulus lupulus, otherwise known as hops. It’s what gives IPAs their distinctive aroma. It’s also a dominant terpene in the Pineapple Express strain that’s risen in popularity since the debut of the 2008 film of the same name.

An International Taste Sensation

Sometimes it’s not nostalgia or familiarity that generates excitement. Novel flavor pairings entice the adventurous and appeal to more international sensibilities. CANN Blood Orange Cardamom Social Tonic was the second hottest selling product in America in the first quarter of 2021, reported Headset.

Cardamom is a popular flavor in Indian cuisine and is quickly gaining a toehold in U.S. spice cabinets. While cardamom may sound like it’s loaded with unique terpenes, it’s actually a common source for extracting limonene terpenes. Limonene helps other terpenes absorb more effectively and is being researched for mood regulation.

Berry Tasty Beverages

One of this author’s favorite flavors is berry. Strawberry, blueberry, raspberry — each is unique but conveys the same floral, fruity, tangy notes associated with “berry” flavor. Headset reported Ray’s Huckleberry Lemonade was America’s fifth favorite cannabis drink in the first quarter of 2021. Ray’s specializes in lemonades, but this huckleberry version is a top seller.

While Ray’s doesn’t offer a terpene breakdown of its flavors, berry-based beverages typically include the following: myrcene, pinene, caryophyllene, limonene, linalool, and humulene. These terpenes are generally associated with mood elevation, relaxation, and anxiety relief. In today’s turbulent times, it’s no wonder these flavors and effects are in peak demand.

A Toast to Good Taste!

Finding the right flavor profiles for your palate (or your customer’s preferences) can require a lot of sampling and taste tests. Enjoy the process and take your time so as not to overindulge and spoil the fun. While everyone’s taste buds are unique, the top-selling flavors profiled in this article have risen to the top for good reason.

While these terpene formulations are excellent in beverages, exercise caution before putting flavors into other cannabis products like vape oils. Many blends are food safe, but not recommended for combustion and inhalation. As with any cannabis product, enjoy responsibly and start slow — you never know how quickly your body will metabolize the compounds. ❖

HVAC Systems for Indoor Cannabis Cultivation — Surna’s understanding of every aspect of cultivation facility design, not just the HVACD and systems in which it specializes, allows it to lend support from pre-design budgeting through facility commissioning, and every stop in between. Lean on Surna’s team of experienced engineers to compare and contrast solutions, and budgets, to help you make the perfect choice for your facility. Visit www.surna.com to review

your options.

Karma CBD Water — Temperature fluctuations and the passage of time can cause cannabinoids to leach out of products and lose their effectiveness. Karma CBD Water created an innovative solution to this industry-wide problem. Its patented Push Cap infuses active ingredients into the water just seconds before you drink it. Vitamins, nutrients, and CBD are blasted into your water at the time of consumption, so you know every bottle is activated with 25mg of broad-spectrum CBD delivered at peak potency. Now available nationwide in five flavors. $5/bottle. Puffco Proxy — The innovators at Puffco are elevating the concentrates experience yet again. Proxy, a portable, modular vaporizer, offers a pushbutton interface with four programmed heat settings. The smoking chamber heats material from every side while the Oculus carb cap maximizes vapor production. The pipe-like design harkens to the rich legacy of cannabis consumption while offering a discreet consumption experience. Add it to your dabbing arsenal for $300.

Mamba V2 Electric Portable Herb Grinder — Traditional grinders require grip strength and agile wrists. For medical patients or cannabis enthusiasts in a rush, the Mamba Grinder takes the “daily grind” out of herb preparation. One-handed operation allows for 15x faster results than a manual grinder. Its unique dispensing cone targets flower directly into your pipe, rolling paper, or vape while keeping your fingers free from sticky residue. $37 Moose Labs Compostable Corn Husk Filters — Sharing smoking devices during a pandemic is a social faux pas. Thanks to the Moose Labs MouthPeace, you can share without a care. A silicone mouthpiece attaches to any bong for a germ-free smoke, and the MouthPeace Mini slips neatly onto a joint. Moose Labs is now offering filtration, too! Corn-fiber filters are a sustainable way to remove tar and contaminants from each puff. They utilize otherwise wasted material and are quick to decompose. The MouthPeace Corn Fiber Filter Roll includes 10 filters for $9.

Crativ Select and Vault — The Crativ Select and Crativ Vault are elevating standards for sustainable packaging. These made-inAmerica packaging solutions use earth-friendly materials, including USDA-certified plant-based materials. A proprietary accelerateddegradation formula ensures discarded containers aren’t lining landfills for future generations. An airtight seal paired with a singlelayer of packaging is engineered for optimization, offering an efficient solution for any production line that easily adapts to full-scale automation. Visit crativ.com for pricing.

Limited-Edition Pax Era Life

Malibu — California has a vibe all its own. Summer sunsets on the beach inspired the laid-back gradient shades in this limited-edition vaporizer. The Era Life offers an instant draw so you’re not fumbling with buttons and its rechargeable battery means less waste than a disposable pen. It pairs well with Pax Live Rosin pods. Pop in a pod and go, the ocean is calling. $35

Ispire Exclusive Northern Lights

daab — Inspired by the stunning colors of the Northern Lights, this rig is discreet, portable, and stunning to behold. An all-glass airflow pathway maintains the integrity of your herb’s flavor profile while its induction heating process promises a clean, even heat for each hit. Customize your temperature from 250-800 degrees. Add some color to your concentrate experience for $300.

Botani Gummed Wrappers — Customers will pay more for ecofriendly products. If you care about the Earth as much as your clients, Botani’s gummed wrappers are tailor-made for manufacturing your blunts. These natural hemp wrappers are moisture optimized to burn slowly and evenly while offering an extended shelf life. There are no single-use foil packages here. Proprietary tech creates a costeffective and sustainable smoking experience that’s easy to scale with your brand. Ask about pricing at botani.com.

Dabtech Duvo — Portable and customizable, the Duvo offers three atomizers to create massive clouds while offering maximum temperature control. The Duvo uses AI to turn itself off if you’re about to burn your dab, saving your lungs from harsh hits. An aluminum alloy body offers strength and durability, while a 3,000 mAh battery life keeps you smoking until your sesh is done. This investment comes with a one-year warranty, so you can consume with confidence and peace of mind. $200

Rhythm Sparkling Hemp Beverages — Refresh your palate with broadspectrum hemp extract grown in the U.S.A. Rhythm partnered with infusion-technology firm Vertosa to create consistent emulsions with 100% natural fruit, vegetable, and root extracts. The resulting four flavors are bold, bright, and formulated to facilitate energy, hydration, recovery, or sleep. Try the variety pack for $60.

HighOnLove Sensual CBD Bath Oil —

Invigorate your senses and turn your daily routine into a spa-like experience. With 300 mg of CBD, this luxurious oil is perfect for elevating a shower and even better for creating bathtub bliss. Patchouli, Geranium, and Ylang Ylang essential oils will titillate your nose while the CBD eases aches and pains. Tell your lover it’s available nationwide for $48.

Arbor Slim and Sleep Hemp Extract — The visionaries at the non-profit Realm of Caring crafted these hemp extracts from rigorous clinical research. Arbor Slim is a weight loss aid that naturally reduces cravings for sugary foods. Arbor Sleep reduces the time spent waiting to fall asleep and increases the duration and quality of rest. Both products are available as a tincture or soft gel for $80. Trulieve Muse Concentrate — Crafted with freshlyharvested flower frozen at the peak of potency, the Muse line of full-spectrum concentrates could easily overload your senses with flavor. Jammed with higher-than-average terpene levels, these concentrates will inspire as they elevate. With availability in eight states, Trulieve is inspiring connoisseurs across the country. $40-70

Dogwalkers “Play” Mini-Dogs — Each mini-dog contains just enough smoke to keep you company on your next walk with Fido. A recyclable tin keeps all your bite-sized pre-rolls neatly packaged and protected until your next adventure. Each pre-roll is packed with premium flower and zero shake. Find yours in Florida, Illinois, Maryland, Massachusetts, and Nevada for $30.

Alternative Avocado Toast

Serves 4, 5mg. THC per serving

I highly recommend making a double or triple recipe for the infused oil. Drizzle it on pizza, soups, fresh vegetables, and salad. You can change the herbs and spices to fit your palate. Some crushed red pepper might be nice, as would some dill or mint — it’s all up to you.

What You’ll Need: 4 slices lightly toasted bread 4 teaspoons canna-oil 4 teaspoons good quality olive oil 1 small garlic clove, gently crushed 1/4 teaspoon coarse salt ¼ teaspoon coarse black pepper 2 strips lemon peel ½ cup whole milk ricotta 2 ripe avocados 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice Salt and pepper to taste

Directions: 1. Place the bread slices on your work surface. 2. In a small jar, combine the canna-oil with the olive oil, garlic, salt, pepper, and lemon peel.

Shake and allow to sit for a few hours to combine flavors.

3. Drizzle the oil between the four slices of bread. Divide the ricotta between the four bread slices.

4. Cut the avocados in half, remove the pit, peel, and rub with lemon juice. Fan the slices on each bread slice.

5. Sprinkle with salt and pepper to taste. Now that the weather is warm, and avocado is in season, avocado toast is the perfect go-to for a healthy, luscious, meal. Crunchy bread, creamy avocado, and the infused drizzle — you really can’t go wrong. The bread choice is yours, as is your infusion method. I prefer infused oil, but you can use whatever infusion you like, just remember that too much cannabis is not at all pleasant. Don’t skip the lemon juice on the avocado, it turns brown quickly, and it renders the open sandwich unappealing to look at. Looks aren’t everything, but they’re not nothing!

Laurie Wolf is the author of such cannabis cookbooks as Marijuana Edibles, HERB, The Medical Marijuana Dispensary, and Cooking with Cannabis. Her recipes have been featured in High Times, Dope Magazine, Culture, and more. She is also the founder of Laurie + MaryJane, an edible company offering everything from almond truffle bites to vegan chocolate cookies. And remember, #Don’tFeartheEdible and #eatyourcannabis

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