Things Budtenders Should Know - The Cannabis Flavor/Scent Wheel
Introduction
Do you struggle to find the right words to describe the unique taste and smell of different cannabis strains? Just like with wine tasting, there are specific descriptors that can be used to communicate these differences, making it much easier to discuss and recommend products to customers. One valuable tool for budtenders is the cannabis flavor/scent wheel, which allows everyone in the industry to find alignment when discussing cannabis.
Personal Experience
As a former buyer in the I-502 cannabis market in Washington State, I can attest to the usefulness of the flavor/scent wheel. My team and I would do blind tastings of various strains at Confidence Analytics, a lab in Washington State. This experience was extremely insightful, and I encourage other budtenders to participate in similar events if available in their area. You can learn more about the blind tastings we did in this article by The Stranger: The Birth of the Weed Sommelier.
Shocking Discovery
One blind tasting in particular stood out. The flower we tested was beautiful and had a strong aroma of fresh blueberries when ground up. We all guessed it was some kind of Blueberry strain, but the shock came when we learned that it was only 5% THC, despite having heavy effects. The strain tested very high (1%+) for a variety of terpenes, highlighting the importance of understanding terpenes and their effects on the overall cannabis experience.
If a lab or grower in your area is hosting such a thing, I highly suggest you arrange a visit for your retail team. If you’re a lab or cannabis brand — consider creating an event like this in your region if your state law permits doing so. Everyone learns so much and has a blast at them!
The Cannabis Flavor/Scent Wheel
The cannabis flavor/scent wheel developed by Confidence Analytics is a useful tool for budtenders and cannabis professionals. It provides a visual representation of the different tastes and smells associated with various terpenes and cannabinoids, helping to identify and recommend specific strains based on customers' preferences. Consider printing a laminated copy at each register for budtenders to reference with customers, or including it in orientation materials for new hires.
Guide to Terpenes
The flavor and smell of cannabis are heavily influenced by its terpene profile, and it's important for budtenders to understand the effects of different terpenes. Our Guide to Terpenes is a great resource to learn more about the smells, tastes, and effects of various terpenes. The terpene chart is especially helpful.
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For those working in the cannabis industry, this guide can be an invaluable tool for improving product recommendations and customer satisfaction. If you’re a budtender or work at a cannabis dispensary, consider sharing this guide with your team via your team chat or during team meetings. You could also laminate a copy and keep it at each register for easy reference when assisting customers. If your store has budtender orientation materials, including items from this guide, especially the terpene wheel, could be a helpful addition for newly hired budtenders.
Conclusion
If you're a budtender or work at a cannabis dispensary, the cannabis flavor/scent wheel and our Guide to Terpenes can help you better understand and communicate the differences between different cannabis strains. Additionally, for those interested in growing their own cannabis, check out our 2023 list of the best books for cultivation and processing cannabis.
Thanks for reading!
Jess
