Smells Like a Game Change
Let’s be real—if you’ve ever cracked open a fresh jar of cannabis and caught a whiff that made you say, “Whoa, that smells like lemons,” or “This one’s straight up gas,” you’ve probably credited terpenes for the experience. And we don’t blame you. Terpenes have ruled the aroma game for years. But what if we told you that the scents you love—whether citrusy, skunky, creamy, or earthy—might actually have more to do with something else entirely?
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Smells Like a Game Changer
Let’s be real—if you’ve ever cracked open a fresh jar of cannabis and caught a whiff that made you say, “Whoa, that smells like lemons,” or “This one’s straight up gas,” you’ve probably credited terpenes for the experience. And we don’t blame you. Terpenes have ruled the aroma game for years. But what if we told you that the scents you love—whether citrusy, skunky, creamy, or earthy—might actually have more to do with something else entirely?
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At this year’s 2025 Cannabis Collaboration Conference hosted by Northern Michigan University, our team at The Fire Station got hit with a scientific mic drop. During a plenary session titled “Deciphering the Complex Phytochemistry of Cannabis: From Plant to Extracts,” Dr. Iain W. H. Oswald introduced research that flips the script on how we understand cannabis aroma. And yeah, it blew our collective minds.
Turns out, the unsung heroes behind cannabis’ signature smells might actually be flavorants—a newly identified class of volatile compounds—rather than the terpenes we’ve all been taught to revere.
Here’s what we learned, why it matters, and how it could change the way you shop, smoke, and savor your next sesh.
Wait... If Not Terpenes, Then What?
So, what exactly are flavorants, and why are scientists suddenly talking about them?
Flavorants are non-terpene volatile compounds that contribute significantly to the way cannabis smells and tastes. Think of them like the secret ingredients in your grandma’s sauce recipe—they were there the whole time, you just didn’t know what to call them. These include compounds like esters, aldehydes, ketones, and alcohols—some of which smell like ripe fruit, creamy candy, gasoline, or sharp cheese. And unlike terpenes, which are found in tons of plants (including citrus, pine, and lavender), these flavorants might be more cannabis-specific.
According to a groundbreaking study published in ACS Omega by Oswald and his team, when researchers looked deeper into the chemical makeup of cannabis flower, they discovered that the most pungent, unique, and exotic strains weren’t necessarily high in terpenes—but were instead rich in other volatiles.
Let that sink in. The loudest nugs in the jar—the ones that smell like blue raspberry candy or chemical funk—might owe their swagger to these flavorants, not terpenes alone.
A Quick Recap: What Are Terpenes, Again?
Before we go further, let’s give terpenes a little respect. These are the aromatic oils secreted by the same glands that produce cannabinoids like THC and CBD. You’ve probably heard of myrcene (earthy, musky), limonene (citrusy), pinene (piney), and linalool (floral, lavender). Terpenes have been marketed as the main contributors to cannabis aroma and are also believed to influence the effects of different strains.
But the deeper we dig, the more complex the picture becomes. While terpenes do contribute to scent and experience, they’re just part of the story. Think of them like bass in your favorite song—important, sure—but not the only instrument in the band
The Science Speaks: How Flavorants Are Changing the Game
At the NMU conference, Oswald explained that by using gas chromatography-olfactometry (GC-O)—a technique that combines chemical analysis with human sniff tests—his team was able to match specific aromas with compounds. What they found? Many of the most noticeable, memorable smells didn’t come from terpenes at all.
Instead, it was the minor volatiles—including esters, sulfur compounds, and nitrogen-containing molecules—that really packed the aromatic punch. In some cases, these flavorants were present in tiny amounts, but still made a huge impact due to their incredibly low odor thresholds. Translation: It only takes a teensy bit to make your nose go, “Whoa.”
In fact, a recent piece from ACS Axial puts it simply: “Even though terpenes have long been thought to be the source of cannabis’ scent, they may not be the whole story—nor even the main characters.”
So, What Do These Flavorants Smell Like?
Here’s a quick flavorant cheat sheet pulled from Oswald’s research and a few other sources:
- Esters: Fruity, sweet, like pineapple or candy
- Thiols and Sulfurs: Skunky, funky, gassy
- Aldehydes: Creamy, nutty, waxy
- Alcohols: Floral or boozy notes
- Ketones: Earthy, pungent, sometimes spicy
And these aren’t random chemical outliers. Some of these compounds are what give certain cannabis strains that unmistakable “exotic” vibe—think Zkittlez, Runtz, or Chem Dog. These flavorants may be the reason why two strains with the same terpene profile can smell completely different.
What This Means for You
Think of this as an opportunity to refine your nose. The next time you pick up a strain, ask: What else am I smelling? Don’t just look at myrcene and limonene—sniff for that creamy vanilla, that sharp cheese, that funky fuel. You’re experiencing the magic of flavorants.
Meet the New Era of Cannabis Chemistry
It’s worth noting that this isn’t the first time cannabis science has evolved in surprising ways. Just like we learned that CBD isn’t the only non-psychoactive cannabinoid, or that entourage effects are real, thisnew chapter is about appreciating cannabis for its full chemical complexity.
According to Cannabis Business Times, the industry is already seeing a shift toward deeper aroma testing and improved consumer education.4 As highlighted by The Press Club in their deep dive on terpenes and flavorants, “We’ve only just begun to understand the full symphony of compounds in cannabis that shape its sensory profile.”
Let's Bust a Few Myths
Alright, let’s tackle a few lingering myths that this new science is starting to shake up.
Myth 1: More terpenes = better flower.
Nope. While terpene content can provide insights into aroma and effects, it’s not the be-all-end-all. Some of the best-smelling, best-tasting cannabis may actually have a moderate terpene content but a rich profile of flavorants.
Myth 2: All fruity strains smell that way because of limonene.
Also false. Limonene does contribute citrus notes, but esters and aldehydes (aka flavorants) are often responsible for those candy, tropical, or berry aromas that make certain strains pop.
Myth 3: Lab reports tell you everything.
We love lab transparency, but terpene percentages alone don’t always reflect the smell experience. As science progresses, we may start seeing labs include flavorant data for a more complete aromatic profile.
Sources:
- Oswald, I. W. H., et al. (2023). “Deciphering the Complex Phytochemistry of Cannabis.” ACS Omega. https://pubs.acs.org/doi/10.1021/acsomega.3c04496
- “The Surprising Science Behind Cannabis Aromas.” ACS Axial, 2024. https://axial.acs.org/organic-chemistry/the-surprising-science-behind-cannabis-aromas
- “The Science of Exotic I: The Dawn of Flavorants.” Abstrax Tech, 2023. https://abstraxtech.com/blogs/learn/the-science-of-exotic-1-the-dawn-of-flavorants
- “New Research Suggests Cannabis Terpenes Aren’t Solely Responsible for Aroma.” Cannabis Business Times, 2024. https://www.cannabisbusinesstimes.com/business-issues-benchmarks/cannabis-industry-research/news/15687109/new-research-suggests-cannabis-terpenes-arent-solely-responsible-for-aroma
- “Flavorants and the Science of Terpenes in Cannabis.” The Press Club, 2023. https://thepressclub.co/blogs/tips-tricks/flavorants-and-the-science-of-terpenes-in-cannabis
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