Pine tree branches spread over a black background

Pinene Terpene: Smell, Taste, Effects, Strains, & More

When it comes to terpenes, there always has to be one that stands out from the rest. For us, that terpene is pinene. It’s abundant in nature, well researched, and found in more consumer goods than we can even count. It’s also a prominent terpene found in cannabis.

In this guide, we’ll share everything we know about pinene, including:

  • What is Pinene?
  • Where Can You Find Pinene?
  • What’s the Difference Between Alpha-Pinene & Beta-Pinene?
  • What Strains Are High in Pinene?
  • Answering FAQs About Pinene

What is Pinene?

Scientifically speaking, pinene is a bicyclic monoterpene—meaning it has two isoprene units. Those units are called alpha-pinene, or α-pinene, and beta-pinene, or β-pinene. When it comes to cannabis and cannabis enthusiasts, pinene can be explained in more layman’s terms—it’s one of the most abundantly found terpenes in nature and in cannabis. Pinene, like all terpenes in cannabis, is believed to contribute to the entourage effect—that is, the sensations you feel when you consume cannabis. 

What Does Pinene Smell Like?

If you’re wondering what pinene smells like, you probably don’t have to think long. Pinene is what gives pine trees their sweet, spicy scent. In cannabis, that familiar forest scent is paired with a woodsy flavor.

Where Can You Find Pinene?

Pinene is all around you, in coniferous trees, dill, basil, and rosemary. But that’s not all. Pinene is harvested for its scent and added to a variety of consumer products, including candles and even insecticides. It’s also in food, like pine nuts and limes. So it’s possible that if you love key lime pie, you’ve indulged in pinene.

More recently, pinene is also the subject of a lot of research. While pinene has been used in traditional medicine for many years and for a variety of conditions, we’re now trying to understand what effects pinene has in the body. While only animal studies have been performed, research is pointing toward pinene possessing some anti-inflammatory properties. The effect of these properties in humans is yet to be determined, but we look forward to learning more about this terpene as more studies are published.


Wondering ‘what are terpenes’? Read our guide!


What’s the Difference Between Alpha-Pinene & Beta-Pinene?

Without getting too deep into the science, alpha-pinene and beta-pinene are pretty similar. They come from the same sources and share similar characteristics. The most obvious difference between the two is their water solubility—α-pinene is soluble in water and β-pinene is not. Additionally, alpha-pinene smells like pine or rosemary, and while beta-pinene is still earthy and fresh, it has a bit more spice to its scent like what you’d find in parsley or basil.

What Strains Are Heavy In Pinene?

It’s pretty easy to walk into a dispensary and find pinene strains. That’s because pinene is in some of the most popular marijuana strains in the country. These are just a couple of the strains high in pinene that we carry:

Blue Dream

Sativa-Dominant Hybrid

There are very few strains that can match the popularity and renown that Blue Dream has earned since it first hit the market. But it’s really no surprise that it’s popular when you look at its parents: Blueberry and Haze, two famous strains in their own right. Blue Dream is just a slightly more sativa-dominant hybrid with an interesting combination of moderately high THC levels, 2% CBD and 1% CBN. But beyond its unique effects, Blue Dream tastes and smells incredible—like blueberry pie.

Dutch Treat

Indica-Dominant Hybrid

We have Amsterdam to thank for this indica-dominant strain, with its moderate-to-high THC levels that range between 18-25%. Dutch Treat smells like eucalyptus, a pinene-rich shrub, but it also has that sweet, forest flavor that comes from the terpene. Dutch Treat, like Blue Dream, is also a child of Haze, though its other parent plant is Northern Lights.

Jack Herer

Sativa-Dominant Hybrid

It would be pretty hard to name the top 5 most popular sativa-dominant hybrids and not mention Jack Herer. This legendary strain honors the cannabis activist for who it’s named. Jack Herer has an earthy flavor, and many cannabis enthusiasts liken its scent to Pine-Sol, a lemon-pine combination popular in households across the country. Like Dutch Treat, it comes from a pairing of Haze and Northern Lights, with a splash of Shiva Skunk too, and also like Dutch Treat, it has moderate-to-high levels of THC.

Answering FAQs About Pinene

Because it’s such a common terpene, we get a lot of questions about pinene. Here’s just a few answers to help sate your curiosity:


Is Pinene Indica or Sativa?
Neither. Pinene is a terpene, which means it’s a compound that can be found in both indica and sativa strains (along with their hybrid variations).


How Does Pinene Make You Feel?
As an aroma or in an essential oil, some people say that pinene gives them a sense of calmness and relaxation. They equate the scent to a peaceful walk in the woods or a happy Christmas morning next to the tree unwrapping presents.

In cannabis, the pinene terpene is one of many compounds you consume when you consume marijuana. While we are certain that pinene contributes to the entourage effect, it’s impossible to identify what feelings or sensations might be specifically due to pinene.


Is Pinene Only in Cannabis?

Nope! Pinene is all around you, in coniferous trees, dill, basil, and rosemary. But that’s not all. Pinene is harvested for its scent and added to a variety of consumer products, including candles and even insecticides. It’s also in food, like pine nuts and limes. So it’s possible that if you love key lime pie, you’ve indulged in pinene.

 

Purchasing Cannabis Rich in Pinene

If you’re ready to pick up some pinene-rich cannabis, make a visit to your local dispensary. While you’ll likely find a couple of the strains on our list, there are many more our budtenders can introduce to you. You can pick up an old favorite or try something new.


Recreational cannabis is not available in all states. Cannabis is for medical use only and may only be used by certified patients in Pennsylvania. State laws impact what dispensaries can and can’t sell to recreational customers and certified patients. Not every type of product, consumption method, dosage form, or potency mentioned on this blog will be permitted in all locations.