Terpene Glossary: Terms Buyers and Formulators Use

This glossary defines the terms buyers and formulators meet when they source terpene profiles: where terpenes come from, the common terpenes and their aromas, formulation terms such as carrier, viscosity and dosage, product documents, and ordering terms. Each entry gives a plain general definition and, where useful, how TERPLAX uses the term.

Sources and types

Terpene

Terpenes are aromatic compounds that give plants much of their smell and taste. Limonene is a large part of citrus peel, linalool is common in lavender, and pinene is familiar from pine needles. Our guide to common terpenes and their aromas covers the main ones.

Monoterpene

Monoterpenes are the smaller, lighter terpenes, such as limonene, myrcene, pinene, terpinolene and ocimene. They evaporate more readily, so they tend to carry the first, brightest part of an aroma.

Sesquiterpene

Sesquiterpenes are larger, heavier terpenes, such as beta-caryophyllene, humulene and nerolidol. They evaporate more slowly and usually give a profile its woody, spicy or lingering character.

Terpene profile

A terpene profile is a blend of terpenes, often with other aroma materials, built to match a target scent such as a named strain or a fruit flavor. TERPLAX offers 200+ profiles across its catalog.

Strain profile

A strain profile recreates the aroma of a named strain using terpenes in the right balance. It is an aroma recreation only. Our strain terpenes guide explains how to shortlist and test strain profiles.

Botanical terpenes

Botanical terpenes are terpenes sourced from a wide range of plants, such as citrus, pine, lavender and hops. TERPLAX Classic Strains profiles are made with natural botanical terpenes.

BDT (botanically derived terpenes)

BDT means terpenes taken from botanical sources and blended by a formulator to recreate a target aroma. BDT profiles offer a wide flavor range, good control over the formula and steady supply. See BDT vs HDT vs CDT terpenes for a full comparison.

HDT (hemp-derived terpenes)

HDT means terpenes distilled from hemp plant material, so they arrive together in the ratios the plant produced. That gives a plant-true background, although processing can reduce some of the lighter top notes.

CDT (cannabis-derived terpenes)

In general industry usage, CDT describes terpenes collected from the cannabis plant, often from a single named cultivar, to capture a complete strain-specific aroma. Supply is usually limited and seasonal, and batches can change with each harvest.

Fusion CDT

Fusion CDT is the TERPLAX series built on hemp-derived terpenes (HDT) and restored with natural botanical terpenes (BDT) to a complete strain DNA profile. The series is premium and seasonal, so availability and pricing may vary. Read what CDT terpenes are or browse Fusion CDTs.

DNA (in profile names)

In TERPLAX profile names, DNA marks a Fusion CDT built to the complete aroma of the target strain, as in Gelato DNA. It refers to the full target aroma profile, not to genetic material.

Isolate

An isolate is a single terpene compound separated from its source, such as limonene or linalool on its own. Formulators combine isolates and other materials to build a complete profile.

Flavor Infused profile

Flavor Infused is the TERPLAX series of fruit, candy and dessert profiles. The flavors come from natural materials, and the series also uses a sweetener and a cooling agent that are not natural. Browse the Flavor Infused series.

Common terpenes

Myrcene

Myrcene has an earthy, musky, herbal aroma with a ripe-fruit edge often compared to mango and hops. It leads many earthy strain profiles, such as Blue Dream and Skywalker OG.

Limonene

Limonene smells of bright citrus peel, from orange to lemon. It leads many citrus-forward profiles, including Mimosa and Pineapple Express.

Linalool

Linalool has a floral, lavender-like aroma with a soft sweet and slightly spicy side. It shapes floral and dessert profiles such as Wedding Cake DNA.

Beta-caryophyllene

Beta-caryophyllene is peppery, spicy and woody, with a clove-like warmth. It gives depth to profiles such as Runtz and GSC.

Alpha-pinene

Alpha-pinene has the sharp, fresh smell of pine needles and resin. It adds a clean, crisp lift to pine and OG-style profiles.

Beta-pinene

Beta-pinene is also piney but greener and more woody and herbal than alpha-pinene. It often supports alpha-pinene rather than leading a profile.

Terpinolene

Terpinolene is fresh, piney and floral, with herbal and citrus hints and a light sweetness. It leads profiles such as Durban Poison.

Humulene

Humulene is woody, earthy and dry, with the character of hops. It usually sits in the background and adds an earthy base.

Ocimene

Ocimene has a sweet, green, herbal aroma with fruity and floral touches. It adds freshness to fruit-forward and tropical profiles.

Nerolidol

Nerolidol is woody and floral, with a fresh-bark note and a light fruity side. It evaporates slowly and helps an aroma linger.

Gamma-terpinene

Gamma-terpinene has a fresh, citrusy and herbal aroma, sometimes compared to lime peel. It supports citrus character in a blend.

Linalyl acetate

Linalyl acetate is a terpene-derived ester with a sweet, fruity, lavender-like aroma. It often appears alongside linalool in floral and dessert profiles.

Farnesene

Farnesene has a green, woody aroma often compared to green apple skin. It adds a fresh, slightly fruity green note.

Geraniol

Geraniol is floral and rose-like, with a soft citrus side. It brightens floral and fruity blends.

Product and formulation terms

Aroma family

An aroma family groups profiles by their main character, such as citrus, earthy, floral, fruity, gas or dessert. Shortlisting within one family is a quick way to compare similar profiles. The profile reference table lists the aroma of each TERPLAX profile.

Top note

The top note is the first impression of an aroma, carried mostly by light, volatile terpenes such as limonene and pinene. Top notes fade fastest, so they are the first thing to check in a test batch.

Base note

The base note is the deeper character that stays after the top notes fade, usually from heavier terpenes such as beta-caryophyllene, humulene and nerolidol. It gives a profile body and length.

Volatility

Volatility describes how readily a compound evaporates. More volatile terpenes are easier to lose to heat and air, which is why storage and the point at which you add terpenes both matter.

Carrier

The carrier is the base material a terpene profile is blended into, such as an oil, a syrup, a gummy mass or a drink base. A profile can smell different in each carrier, so always test in your own.

Viscosity

Viscosity is how thick a liquid is and how easily it flows. It matters for filling and for hardware performance in vape products. TERPLAX A1 Flow adjusts viscosity; see terpenes for vape cartridges.

Density (g/mL)

Density is mass per volume, given in grams per milliliter, and you need it to convert between volume and weight. TERPLAX profile densities range from about 0.83 to 1.03 g/mL, and the mixing calculator uses density to do the conversion.

Dosage percentage

Dosage percentage is the share of terpene profile in the final batch. The terpene mixing calculator covers 0.5% to 20% of the final batch, and teams usually start at the low end and adjust after a test batch.

Test batch

A test batch is a small batch made in your own carrier and hardware to check aroma, flavor and handling before you scale up. Evaluate it after it has rested, then adjust the dosage or the profile.

Dispersion

Terpene profiles are oils and do not dissolve in water, so water-based drinks need a dispersion or emulsion approach. Our guide to terpenes for beverages covers this.

Headspace

Headspace is the air above the liquid in a closed container. Keeping headspace small limits air exposure, which helps preserve aroma; see how to store terpenes.

Flash point (calculated vs measured)

The flash point is the lowest temperature at which a liquid's vapor can ignite near a flame, and it affects storage and shipping. The flash points in TERPLAX SDS documents are calculated values; a measured flash point can be arranged at the customer's request and cost.

Auxiliary materials

Auxiliary materials adjust a formula rather than provide the main aroma. TERPLAX offers A1 Flow (viscosity), A2 ICE (cooling), A3 Skunk (herbal intensity) and A4 Sweet (sweetness); confirm use levels with us. Browse Auxiliary Materials.

Documents and quality

COA (certificate of analysis)

A COA reports test results for one specific batch. The TERPLAX COA is an in-house reference document. Read terpene documents explained for what a COA does and does not tell you.

SDS (safety data sheet)

An SDS covers hazards, safe handling, storage, spill response and transport. TERPLAX provides an SDS for every profile on the documents page.

PDS (product data sheet)

A PDS describes the product itself and its physical properties, such as appearance, aroma and density, for formulation. TERPLAX provides a PDS for every profile.

MDS (material data sheet)

An MDS gives material and composition information that formulation and quality teams use alongside the PDS. TERPLAX provides an MDS for every profile.

Third-party testing

Third-party testing means an independent lab tests a sample and issues its own report. TERPLAX can arrange it as a paid service, agreed before the order, so the lab, the tests and the batch are settled in advance.

Batch

A batch is one production run of a profile. Record the batch from the label with your own production records, and quote it if you contact us about an order already delivered.

Batch variation

Natural materials vary slightly by season and origin, so batches of a natural profile can shift a little. TERPLAX tells buyers when a batch shifts and adjusts it to target.

Catalog number

Every TERPLAX profile has a permanent four-digit catalog number. Quote it when you reorder, so you always receive the same formula.

Ordering terms

Sample pack

A sample pack lets you test several profiles before committing to larger sizes. The TERPLAX sample pack holds 7 × 5 mL bottles, BDT or Fusion CDT, random or your own choice, from USD 30.

Bottle sizes

TERPLAX profiles come in 5 mL, 50 mL, 120 mL and 1 L bottles; Fusion CDTs come in 5 mL, 120 mL and 1 L. Larger 5 L and 25 L containers are available by quote; see the bulk buying guide.

MOQ (minimum order quantity)

MOQ is the smallest quantity a supplier accepts for an order. At TERPLAX the MOQ for your order is confirmed in the quotation.

Quotation

A quotation is a written offer that sets out the products, sizes, quantities and price for an order. TERPLAX confirms the details, including payment, in writing before any funds are sent.

OEM

OEM (original equipment manufacturer) means a supplier makes a product to the buyer's own specification. TERPLAX handles OEM and bulk enquiries through the OEM / Bulk page; custom products are not returnable for change of mind.

Private label

Private label means a product made by a supplier is sold under the buyer's own brand. Discuss your private label requirements with TERPLAX through the OEM / Bulk page.

Lead time

Lead time is how long an order takes to dispatch and arrive. TERPLAX dispatches sample packs within 3 business days and other orders within 7 days, and transit takes 7–15 days.

Flat-rate shipping

Flat-rate shipping means one shipping charge per order, whatever its weight. TERPLAX charges a flat USD 30 per order to any destination, shipping from China.

Restocking fee

A restocking fee is a charge deducted from a refund for a returned item. TERPLAX accepts standard products within 30 days if resaleable, with a 3% restocking fee and return shipping paid by the buyer; samples and custom products are not returnable for change of mind.

Next steps

• Order a sample pack to test a shortlist of profiles in your own product.
• Plan your test batch with the terpene mixing calculator.
• Contact us with questions about any term, profile or document. We reply within 24 hours on business days.