Low Temperature Drying

Low Temperature Drying (LTD) is a post-harvest technique that preserves volatile terpene profiles by avoiding heat-induced degradation during the curing process. Rather than a terpene itself, LTD represents a preservation method commonly employed by cultivators and processors seeking to maintain aromatic complexity in finished cannabis material. Temperatures typically remain between 50–70°F with controlled humidity to slow moisture loss gradually. This approach contrasts with traditional higher-temperature drying, which can volatilize or chemically alter delicate monoterpenes and sesquiterpenes. Lineage records and breeding documentation frequently note terpene retention as a quality metric when LTD protocols are applied, making the technique relevant to genetics preservation and phenotype expression studies.

Breeders and seed developers document terpene stability across generations by standardizing post-harvest protocols like LTD, allowing more accurate phenotype characterization and selection for aroma-dominant traits. Seed banks and breeding programs working with high-terpene cultivars often employ low-temperature curing to ensure accurate sensory evaluation during selection cycles.