In a pioneering effort to change the way cannabis products are flavored, Sharif El-Sissi turned to terpenes, the aromatic compounds responsible for cannabis's distinctive smell. As reported by SFGATE, El Sisi, a former CEO of a cannabis company, opened a business in the Bay Area near Byron, Calif., in 2017 to provide natural alternatives to synthetic flavors in marijuana products. Established Terpene Belt Farms on the eastern edge of the Today, with a 260-acre hemp farm producing millions of pounds of hemp flower annually, El Sisi's vision is transforming the cannabis flavor industry.
Natural terpenes over synthetic chemicals
Terpenes, which are responsible for cannabis' smell, have long been ignored in favor of marijuana's active compounds, THC and CBD. However, El Sisi believes terpenes have untapped potential as natural flavoring agents. By focusing solely on terpene production, we aim to reduce our reliance on artificial flavors commonly found in edibles and vape pens.
“The downstream uses that can come from it are endless,” El-Sisi said while touring the farm. “Everyone just looks at[marijuana]to get high…but this plant is the most prolific aroma-producing plant on the planet.”
Scaling hemp for terpene production
Growing hemp in such large quantities is the key to producing industrial-grade terpenes. Terpene Belt Farms, which grows 210 acres of hemp, is likely the largest cannabis farm in California, far exceeding the entire cannabis acreage allowed in Humboldt County. In 2023, the farm produced 2 million pounds of hemp flower.
To handle such large-scale production, farms are run like industrial farming facilities. While most cannabis farms harvest their crops by hand, Terpene Belt Farms employs combines and can harvest 200,000 pounds of cannabis flower each day. These flowers are steam distilled to extract the terpene-rich oil, leaving behind THC and CBD.
Expanding the uses of terpenes beyond cannabis
Terpene Belt Farms primarily supplies natural terpenes to cannabis companies, but El-Sissi has his sights set on a larger market. He envisions using cannabis terpenes to replace synthetic chemicals in household products. “We've just scratched the surface of usage,” he said, adding that his facility is positioned for significant growth as it enters new industries.
Terpenes produced by cannabis can mimic the taste and aroma of foods such as bananas and watermelon, opening up a wide range of possibilities for adding natural flavor to everything from food to cleaning products.
Cover image created with AI
Market news and data powered by Benzinga API
© 2024 Benzinga.com. Benzinga does not provide investment advice. Unauthorized reproduction is prohibited.
