Hashishene: A Terp That Gives Moroccan Hash Its Unique Aroma

what is hashishene

There had always been something about the Moroccan Hash that a lot of its European and Middle East users couldn't quite place their hands on. Up on till a few years ago this was always a mystery. Luckily, the mystery was unraveled when the French Police and their scientists accidentally discovered what it was— Hashishene!

Hasishene bestows a unique quality on the Moroccan hash; giving it an intense aroma that is completely integrated with the flavor of the hash.

You can't take the Moroccan hash without feeling the synergy between the cannabinoids present and the hashishene. Yes, the famous entourage effect!

Before I dive deep into this content, I'll like to refresh your memory on what hashish is.

Brief Description of Hashish

Hashish is a fine grounded dried cannabis plant whose volatile constituents contain astounding quantities of a rare monoterpene. Commonly called Hash, hashish is made of resins of harvested cannabis plant buds that have been broken down and compressed.

Hashish is often brown or dark in appearance. Regular Hash is produced through a long and rigorous industrial process that entails drying, sieving, and lastly compression of the strain's female plant buds.

What is Hashishene?

Hashishene is a monoterpene that is not common among the cannabis cultivating community. It is abundantly present in Moroccan hash and produced through a unique degradation of its parent compound.

It is formed from the photo-oxidation of beta-myrcene.

The chemical called myrcene is rearranged and downgraded in some photolytic reactions that occur in the presence of light. The photo-oxidation effect comes about when the buds are exposed to sunlight, heat, and oxygen.

Harshinene's chemical formula and molecular weight are the same as Myrcene—C10H16. Although hashishene structure, when drawn out, is different.

It's structure appears daunting;

5,5-dimethyl-1-vinylbicyclo[2.1.1]hexane.

The researchers who uncovered this terpene named it 'hashishene' because It can be realized in very high amounts in hashish. It has also not been found in as many quantities as this in other cannabis products.

There have been recommendations by some researchers that the Hashishene compound can be used by research organizations and law enforcement agencies as a medium to test for the presence of hash samples. The scientists that discovered hashishene have put forward this method to the European Union for patent protection.

However, this is unlikely— because not only is hashishene a mutated form of myrcene, myrcene is also widely present in the ecosystem. It is available in fruits, e.g. mangoes. You can also find it in plants such as barley, bay, and hops in relative quantities. Hence, it could lead to a lot of untrue positives being reported.

The Uniqueness of Hashishene

Hashishene is present only in hash— it does not exist in the buds of the harvested plants. This is because myrcene, its source chemical compound is what exists in the bud and is later converted to hashishene during the processing stages.

Hashinene has a unique earthy and floral flavor which has made the Moroccan hash distinct among other hash that has a basic musky aroma.

A regular user of Moroccan musk can easily tell if he's using a fake product because Hashishene taste gives the Moroccan hash an intensely pleasant taste and smell. Very easy to recognize.

The Moroccan Hash

Moroccans pride themselves on many fronts. One of which is the unique hash. The Northern African country produces and exports one of the best hash in the world. European cannabis users never fail to speak of the love they have for the Moroccan hash, it's induced mellow high and remarkable taste.

One hit of the Morrocan hash lets you feel a smooth, floral, earthy, and sweet flavor that you'd want to last forever.

Some of the strains of cannabis found in Morocco have an increased dose of cannabidiol (CBD). This has been attributed to why the Moroccan hash induces a calming and mild sedating effect in its users. There have also been claims that this comforting reaction is brought about by the unusual method through which hash is manufactured in the country.

Assumptions on the Signature Flavour of Moroccan Hash

As expected, a lot of speculations went round when the source of the signature flavor of Moroccan hash could not be traced. People formulated varying notions.

Some of which include:

The originality of the soil in the Rift Valley. The Valley's soil has little nutrients and a very minute water capacity that is optimal for Moroccan cannabis cultivars.

The Ketama genetics. It is said that this area produces the best hashish. And the best way to grow and obtain the same flavor and taste of the Ketama varieties is to plant indoors— with native soil gotten from the area.

The discovery of hashishene brought clarity to the source of the unique flavor of the Moroccan hash.

How is Moroccan Hash Made?

In Morocco, the farmers that produce hash place their harvested plant heads on plain surfaces like their roofs, the top of their trucks, etc, —the harvest just has to be where it would be directly touched by sunlight. Here, the plants are exposed directly to the scalding heat of the sun, and sifting begins.

This is the unique aspect of the production of hash in Moroccan cannabis farms. The available sunlight and oxygen alter the myrcene structural pattern, to yield hashishene. Not to mention that both oxygen and sunlight work concurrently to convert THCA to THC.

Other producers of hash limit the level of their harvest's exposure to light and oxygen because it reduces the potency of the plant.

However, where the Moroccan hash lacks potency, it makes up for it with the supreme sedative effects that endears it to several cannabis smokers.

Bottom Line

Several European marijuana users who have been opportune to visit Morocco always claim that the country as a whole smells of hashishene.

Hashish is at the forefront of Europe and The Middle East's cannabis scene, and it doesn't look to be going anywhere anytime soon.

If you have never tried the Moroccan hash, don't hesitate to get your hands on it ASAP.

Also, if you're thinking of modifying the way you prepare your hash, you can consider visiting Morocco to learn the Moroccan hash-developing strategy. It'll be a fun trip!

This way, you're assured of an available market in Europe and the middle east. Have fun working with hashishene to create your special Moroccan hash.