How to Read Terpene Percentages on Our Menu (and Actually Know What You’re Getting)

Introduction

Contrary to popular belief, THC percentage isn’t the best indicator of how a cannabis product will feel. While we hear “what’s the THC level?” daily at our Hoboken dispensary, we often find ourselves explaining that this number is not the most important factor to evaluate. 

We believe that the cannabis experience goes far beyond potency levels. That’s why at Blue Violets, we design our menu around how products feel, not just their THC level. It’s why our customers continue to come back for more tailored recommendations that suit their lifestyles. 

Our Hoboken customers shop based on the experience they want, not how high of THC percentage is listed on the label. But if you want to shop by desired experience, you need to understand how terpenes and cannabinoids work. 

To help you better understand the menu, we’ve rounded up some tips from our lovely New Jersey cannabis dispensary staff. Read on to learn how to read the menu and make more confident, tailored choices.

What Are Terpenes?

Let’s begin with one of the most common questions we get at our micro dispensary: what are terpenes? We’ll break it down in plain English. 

Terpenes play a pivotal role in the personality of a strain. They are chemical compounds found in a variety of plants, from hops and lavender to citrus peels and cannabis. Terpenes are responsible for the unique aromas and flavors associated with different cannabis strains. Beyond their contribution to flavor and aroma, terpenes also play an important role in shaping the experience of a strain. 

You can think of it like aromatherapy. Citrus smells are associated with uplifting effects, while earthy and herbal smells are associated with calm effects. Sweet and fruity aromas are often associated with mellow or social feelings. It’s not just marketing jargon, either. Terpenes’ impact on the cannabis experience is backed by science. 

Terpenes don’t act alone, though. They work best when acting in unison with other chemical compounds, like cannabinoids like THC, CBD, and others. Terpenes and cannabinoids tag team to boost one another's effects and thus, the overall experience. This symbiotic relationship is known as the “entourage effect.” Put simply, this means that the combination of all compounds is stronger than any individual compound alone. 

Two products can both have 25% THC, but they could have vastly different effects. This is because the THC percentage on the label doesn’t cover what’s going on behind the scenes: terpenes, cannabinoids, and other chemical compounds working together to create unique effects. 

How to Read Terpene Percentages on Our Menu

Now that you know the importance of terpenes and cannabinoids, let’s take a look at how to read our Hoboken dispensary menu. This way, you can identify what products are best for you based on their thorough labeling. 

All of the products on our menu show a total terpene percentage, total cannabinoid percentage, and the top individual terpenes. When you see a high terpene percentage, you can expect the product to have a strong and distinctive flavor, a deep character, and more defined effects than lower terpene options. The higher the terpene range, the more expressive and noticeable the flavor and aroma will be. 

While this information can help you determine the quality and expected experience from a product, it can get confusing fast. If you don’t know your terpenes, it’s easy to get lost in all the numbers and words on the product label. Don’t worry. That’s why we color code everything. 

Our Color-Coded Dispensary Menu System

To make life easier for our NJ dispensary customers, we color code our menu. Each color represents a different terpene family. Instead of scrutinizing a busy, crowded label, you can quickly scan a product’s colors to see what kind of effects you can expect. 

With this system, you can determine which products are energizing, relaxing, creative, and beyond. This can streamline the shopping process while delivering more tailored results. Plus, you can get a sense of what other botanicals and plants contain large concentrations of the same terpenes and the associated benefits. For example, if you look at a product with a purple label, you know that it falls in the linalool terpene category, alongside lavender, jasmine, cinnamon, and citrus.

The color coded system makes everyone’s lives easier. You don’t need to memorize long and confusing words (beta-caryophyllene, we’re looking at you.) 

With our color-coded menu, you can shop by vibe, not formulas. It’s how we shop for everything else, so why should cannabis be any different? When you’re hungry, you shop for the cuisine you’re in the mood for or the macros you want to prioritize. You can think of shopping by terpene profile the same way. The colors will help guide you toward the best product for your mood or desired effects. 

The Role of Cannabinoids

Terpenes don’t work alone. They’re better when they work together with other plant-based compounds, like cannabinoids. Like terpenes, there are many cannabinoids present in the cannabis plant, each with their own unique benefits. 

Beyond THC, other common cannabinoids include CBD, CBG, and CBN. Different ratios of these cannabinoids (and others) can all work together to shape your experience. 

For example, THC and CBD combinations can create a smooth, less intense experience than THC alone. THC and CBN dominant strains are more relaxing, whereas low THC strains with balanced ratios of other cannabinoids can lead to a more functional high. 

Our New Jersey recreational cannabis dispensary team is happy to help you find the right balance of terpenes and cannabinoids. Rather than ask for a specific potency, ask for an effects-based recommendation. This helps your budtenders offer better suggestions that fit your needs. 

Think about it like shopping for wine. You don’t ask about the alcohol percentage so much as you ask for the mouthfeel and flavor profile to get a better picture. 

Buying Cannabis at Our Hoboken Dispensary

Now that you have a better understanding of how terpenes and cannabinoids work, you can stop by our NJ dispensary to stock up on the right products for your needs. 

Make sure you lead with how you want to feel and compare that with the terpene colors and percentages on the label. Check the THC and cannabinoid ratios to get an idea of the effects. And of course, share a few sentences with your budtenders about how you want to feel so our team can help you get exactly what you need. 

Shop Smarter, Not Stronger at Blue Violets in Hoboken, NJ

Choosing your cannabis products wisely is a good choice for your well-being and wallet. Terpenes can help lead the way toward the right products for your needs. And with our color-coded menu, you can get a full understanding of how a product will feel and why it might work for you. 

Ready to stock up with us? Explore our online menu or visit us in-store at our Hoboken, NJ dispensary. We’re open Tuesday - Sunday: 11am–9pm (Closed on Mondays).