Carene Terpene: The Zesty Terp Bursting with Flavor!
There’s a whole wide world of terpenes out there that you likely experience on a daily basis without even realizing it. Carene is one of those terpenes, and if you’ve ever had orange juice, basil, or pepper, you’ve had carene. The carene terpene is widely found in foods, but it’s also found in cannabis.
Carene is a therapeutically beneficial and aromatically pleasant terpene. It isn’t one of the most common cannabis terpenes, but it is found in several citrusy and earthy strains. Follow along with us as we explore information on the carene terpene and what it’s capable of doing.
What are Terpenes?
Terpenes are aromatic compounds that add flavor and fragrance to many different plants, including cannabis. Within cannabis Sativa plants (hemp and marijuana), terpenes are produced by the same glands that secrete cannabinoids such as cannabidiol (CBD) and tetrahydrocannabinol (THC).
Some terpenes — carene included — possess beneficial properties. Their benefits can be anti-inflammatory, calming, anti-microbial, or antioxidant. The best terpenes possess numerous wellness-boosting qualities in addition to their tasty flavors and smells.
If you’ve ever enjoyed a lemony, earthy hemp strain like Super Silver Haze, you’ve inhaled carene. Each unique strain of hemp flower contains its own “terpene profile,” usually made up of at least three or more terpenes. Some strains have over a dozen terpenes!
What is Carene?
Carene is what the fancy scientists refer to as a bicyclic monoterpene, which describes its molecular makeup. This terpene’s technical name is delta-3-carene, but we’re going to keep referring to it as “carene” for simplicity’s sake.
Where is Carene Found?
Carene is a widely used aromatic ingredient in perfumes, colognes, and other cosmetic products. It has a lovely fragrance that adds unique natural qualities to many products. Carene also naturally occurs in orange and grapefruit juices, turpentine, cedar, rosemary, basil, pepper, and pine.
But you’re probably not here to talk about which foods contain carene. You’re likely wondering about its presence in hemp flower! Carene is typically found in relatively low levels in cannabis plants, but even in small amounts, it adds to the flower’s aromatic quality.
What Do Carene Terpenes Smell & Taste Like?
Carene is a pungent terpene that emits fragrances of zesty lemon, chopped wood, and musky earth. It also has undertones of sweet, juicy pineapple and orange. Carene’s taste is similar to its smell, and it mixes deliciously with hemp’s natural flavors.
What Are the Effects of Carene?
Experts are still working to fully understand carene’s therapeutic effects, but what they’ve uncovered so far is promising and exciting. It’s believed that carene provides even stronger benefits when it teams up with other terpenes and compounds, like in CBD products.
A 2019 study on the effects of Gynura procumbens, a medicinal plant found and used in Asia, explored how the plant’s terpenes played a role in its therapeutic abilities. Gynura procumbens contains the terpenes carene, pinene, and limonene, which were crucial to the plant’s medicinal benefits.
The results from that study and others suggest that carene may reduce swelling, alleviate tension, fortify bones, resist fungal infections, and promote natural sleep. While experts are still studying its properties, it’s clear that carene has some incredible therapeutic effects. We’re sure that scientists will discover even more benefits in years to come!
Popular Strains That Have Carene Terpenes
If you’re interested in adding some carene to your life, you’re not alone. Whether it’s the aromas and flavors drawing you in or the potential therapeutic effects, carene is a prized terpene for good reason. Here are some strains that contain carene:
Super Silver Haze
Super Silver Haze is a Sativa-dominant hybrid hemp flower that contains carene. This strain has some ultra-famous parents: Northern Lights, Skunk, and Haze. Super Silver Haze is an earthy, peppery, sweet, and skunky hemp strain known for its dazzlingly uplifting yet balancing, nonintoxicating, and creative effects.
Percentage Levels: Total CBD: 18.91% / Delta 9 THC: 0%
Super Lemon Haze
Super Lemon Haze hemp flower is an offspring of Super Silver Haze that features carene. This strain is also a Sativa-dominant hybrid. Thanks to its other parent, Lemon Skunk, Super Lemon Haze has a much more citrusy aroma and flavor than Super Silver Haze. Super Lemon Haze’s effects are bright, uplifting, and focusing — this strain gives you a motivational kick-start.
Percentage Levels: Total CBD: ≈ 18% / Delta 9 THC: <0.3%
Final Thoughts – Carene Terpene
Carene is a dynamic, aromatic, and helpful terpene. While more research will help us better understand the complexities of how carene interacts with the human body, what we do know is that carene can benefit us in many ways. Carene is a talented terpene, and we can’t wait to see further research surrounding its abilities. For now, we’re more than happy to enjoy the pleasant aroma it adds to many hemp strains!
