Char Notes

Char notes refer to aromas reminiscent of burnt wood, charcoal, or roasted materials—a byproduct commonly associated with high-temperature combustion or thermal stress during curing and storage. This aroma emerges in cannabis through oxidative processes, terpene degradation under heat, or extended exposure to dry conditions. Strains with darker phenotypes or those grown under intense light stress sometimes develop these toasted, smoky undertones. Char notes are frequently documented in aged flower or improperly stored material, though some breeding lines intentionally develop roasted aroma profiles through selective cultivation practices. Understanding char development helps breeders and cultivators distinguish between desirable roasted complexity and unintended degradation.

Breeders working with dark or dense phenotypes often select for robust terpene profiles that maintain stability under heat stress, as char-adjacent aromas can indicate either resilience or oxidative loss. Careful documentation of char development during curing helps distinguish intentional roasted character from storage issues.