Education · April 2026
What Are Terpenes? A Cannabis Buyer's Guide
Terpenes are what make one strain smell like citrus and another like pine. Understanding them helps you pick flower that matches what you're looking for.
Terpenes vs THC
THC percentage gets all the attention, but terpenes are what shape the actual experience. Two strains with the same THC can feel completely different because of their terpene profiles. Think of THC as the engine and terpenes as the steering.
Common terpenes to know
Caryophyllene (spicy, peppery) is the most common dominant terpene in cannabis and is often associated with a balanced, grounding experience. Limonene (citrus, bright) tends toward uplifting effects. Myrcene (earthy, herbal) is linked to relaxation. Most strains contain all three in different ratios.
How to read a terpene profile
Lab results list terpenes as percentages. Look at the top 2-3 terpenes — those are what you'll actually smell and feel. Anything above 0.5% is considered a strong presence. Oregon Greens publishes full terpene profiles on every strain page so you can compare before you buy.
Terpenes in Oregon Greens flower
The Candy leads with Limonene at 0.74%, giving it a bright citrus base with a spicy Caryophyllene edge. Apricot Octane runs Myrcene-forward at 0.69% for a heavier feel. Each cultivar in the rotation has a distinct terpene fingerprint — check the individual cultivar pages for full breakdowns.
