What is myrcene?
Myrcene is a terpene, one of the aromatic substances that give plants their smell and taste. It smells of earth, herbs and ripe fruit, with a musky touch. It's one of the most abundant terpenes in many cannabis strains.
Plants make hundreds of different terpenes, and each cannabis strain has its own blend. Myrcene appears in a great many of them, sometimes as the main terpene and sometimes in smaller amounts.
Like the other terpenes, it's produced in the trichomes, the tiny glands that cover the buds.
What does it smell like?
Its aroma is usually described as earthy, herbal and fruity, with a sweet background. If you imagine the smell of a very ripe mango mixed with fresh-cut grass, you'll get the idea.
On its own, it's rarely noticed: it usually mixes with other terpenes. In strains where it dominates, it brings those deep, sweet, earthy aromas that many people associate with "classic" cannabis.
Where else can you find it?
Myrcene is found in many plants you probably know:
- Hops: it's one of their main terpenes and part of the aroma of many beers.
- Mango: it contributes to its sweet, tropical smell.
- Lemongrass: it contains plenty of it too.
- Bay leaf and thyme: it's part of their aroma, along with other terpenes.
Hops and cannabis are also related plants: they belong to the same botanical family.
What it means on a product page
If you see "Terpenes: myrcene" on a product page, the seed bank is telling you that the variety leans towards earthy, sweet and fruity aromas.
Growers often say that myrcene-rich strains are more relaxing. So far there are no studies that prove it, but none that disprove it either. What myrcene does tell you for sure is how the strain will smell and taste.
Related terms
