
We are very pleased that K-Tipp has tested CBD flowers and reported on them fairly and neutrally. From an industry perspective, it is important and desirable to educate consumers about quality aspects. However, we would like to add the following comments:
Price comparison in the test
Large flowers, mini buds and trim cannot be compared one to one in terms of price. Large flowers are the most expensive, while trim (waste product from flower trimming) is the cheapest.
Cannabinoid content in the test
The total cannabinoid content of the flowers, i.e. the total of all measured cannabinoids contained in this sample, was decisive for the evaluation. The results do not consider the values printed by the manufacturer. From an industry perspective, more attention should be paid to whether the stated cannabinoid content corresponds to the actual measured cannabinoid content. Therefore, in our view, it makes little sense to award grades for this, especially when it comes to CBD flowers for tobacco substitutes, where customer orientation is clearly based on the CBD value and not on the total of all cannabinoids.
Depending on their genetics, cannabis plants have very different cannabinoid profiles. For example, some varieties contain CBG, others do not. In comparison, the pure alcohol content of wines is not rated as a quality feature. On the other hand, we agree with the author that the full cannabinoid spectrum of a plant or an extract is preferable to a pure substance; the author has correctly recognized this.
Terpenes
From the consumer’s point of view, a well-rounded and expressive terpene profile (smell) is not only very important from a pleasure point of view, but terpenes in combination with cannabinoids are also said to have the so-called “entourage effect”. However, this research is not yet very advanced. Terpenes have a significant influence on the quality of the flowers through correct drying, gentle processing and the correct residual moisture during packaging. Neither the terpene profile nor the percentage content of the individual offers were taken into account in the test, which we believe should be added in the future.
Our conclusion
Finally, we would like to emphasize that the quality assessment of CBD flowers is based on a variety of factors. It is essential to provide consumers with comprehensive information so that they can make informed decisions. At Herba di Berna, we attach great importance to transparency, quality and customer satisfaction. We welcome tests such as the one conducted by K-Tipp, as they draw attention to important quality criteria and contribute to the further development of the industry. At the same time, we hope that future tests will be more comprehensive and detailed in order to provide a complete picture of product quality.
Take a look at the test results from K-Tipp here