Why Chasing THC % Leaves Flavor (and Enjoyment) on the Table

High percentages might grab attention, but they don’t always tell the full story. Ultra-high THC numbers can come from overly dry flower, aggressive lab prep, or narrow-spectrum extracts—meaning the potency looks strong, but the flavor and experience often fall flat.

At thisthat CBD, we encourage shoppers to look deeper—past the number—to the terpenes and minor cannabinoids that define aroma, taste, and tone.

Terpenes Drive the Flavor Story

The nose never lies. Terpenes like limonene, linalool, myrcene, and pinene build the unique scent and personality of each strain.

• Bright citrus → Look for limonene + terpinolene.
• Dessert and depth → linalool + caryophyllene.
• Forest-fresh → alpha/beta-pinene.

These compounds shape not just how your jar smells—but how it feels.

Minor Cannabinoids Add Dimension

Even trace amounts of CBG, CBC, or CBN can shift the experience. Think of them as the tone controls of your session—adding warmth, clarity, or calm in ways a few extra THC points can’t.

Shopper rule: If two jars test high, pick the one with the richer terpene panel and at least one minor cannabinoid listed.

Examples You Can Actually Use

Citrus & Clean Finish

Look for: THCa + limonene + pinene/terpinolene + CBG
Why shop it: Crisp nose, lively flavor, clearer finish.

Try Jack Herer or Super Silver Haze.

Dessert & Silky

Look for: THCa + linalool + caryophyllene + CBC
Why shop it: Creamy aroma with a peppery backbone.

Explore MAC #1 or Bubblegum.

Gas & Depth

Look for: THCa + myrcene + caryophyllene/humulene + CBN
Why shop it: Old-school funk and layered mid-notes.

Check out Grease Monkey or Super Boof.

Tropical & Juicy

Look for: THCa + ocimene + myrcene + valencene + CBG
Why shop it: Big fruit on the nose, fuller mid-palate.

Sample Apple Jacks for bright, fruit-forward hits.

How to Use a COA to Shop Beyond THC %

1. Open the COA from the product page or from the Certificate of Analysis hub.
2. Note the top 3–5 terpenes and total % listed. Anything above 2–4% is typically very aromatic.
3. Scan for minor cannabinoids like CBG, CBC, CBN.
4. If THC % is similar, choose the jar with richer terpene variety and minor cannabinoids.
5. Match your findings to your preferred flavor lane—citrus, dessert, gas, or pine.

Flower vs. Vapes — How Spectrum Shows Up

• Premium THCa Flower: Balanced cure = fuller flavor. 3–6 major terpenes make a more complete smoke.
• Live Resin Vapes: Flash-frozen inputs preserve native terpenes for true plant flavor. Try our Live Resin Carts & Disposables.
• Distillate Carts: Great for simplicity, but flavor relies on added terpenes—spectrum is narrower.

Practical Buying Cues

• Don’t see “dominant terpenes”? Open the COA—it’s the truth source.
• Total terpene % present? Strong signal of aroma.
• Batch-to-batch differences? Normal and expected.
• Cure or harvest date? Proper cure often tastes smoother than “fresh.”

FAQ

Is a 36% THCa jar automatically better than a 28%?
Not necessarily. If the 28% jar has 3–4% terpenes and meaningful CBG/CBC, many find it tastier and more balanced.

What total terpene % is considered good?
2% is a solid benchmark; 3–5% is excellent. Focus on which terpenes they are, not just the number.

Do minor cannabinoids matter below 2%?
Yes—treat them as tone controls that add depth and dimension.

How do I compare two vapes with the same THC %?
Favor live resin hardware that publishes a native terpene panel, not just “added botanical terpenes.” Start at lower temps to protect volatiles.

The Takeaway

Flavor is the future of potency. Reading COAs for terpenes and minor cannabinoids lets you find the sweet spot between taste and strength. Explore our THCa Flower Collection and Live Resin Vapes to experience the difference yourself.