Hexahydrocannabinol (HHC) is the new and exciting cannabinoid that comes in all kinds of user-friendly product types. Still, many people have a soft spot for HHC gummies. It’s no wonder, since they offer the longest-lasting high of all, while undeniably satiating us with their delicious flavor.
But, gummies are made differently by each company, and with some, you may notice a certain aftertaste, that may have just subtle lingering flavor notes or a strong flavor that remains after you swallow. So, what does an aftertaste mean, and is it always a bad thing?
One reason why a gummy may have an aftertaste is because of the terpenes in them. Some companies add extracted terpenes to their HHC gummies to make them full spectrum, but it’s actually more common to use terpene-free, refined hexahydrocannabinol distillate.
Terpenes do add a lot to the valuable effects we get from a HHC product, and they also carry the flavor molecules of the hemp plant. Hexahydrocannabinol distillate is flavorless, but if you’re consuming a gummy that is made with terpenes, that aftertaste is likely coming from their inclusion in the formula. Most people note that terpenes have a plant-like taste that’s earthy, and it can linger for a bit after you swallow the gummy.
Manufacturers can use any number of flavoring ingredients, and also can derive those flavors however they want. Most people agree that it’s always better to have natural flavoring since it is chemical-free, and even comes from food sources. Synthetic flavoring, often labeled simply a “flavoring” on a product’s package, can come from pretty much anything, and companies do not need to disclose this information to customers.
Many artificial flavors leave some type of aftertaste that’s notably synthetic, so that could be the culprit. Besides that, a lot of manufacturers use artificial sweeteners like sucralose (Splenda), which are notorious for having an aftertaste. In fact, stevia, a plant-derived replacement sweetener, is also known for having a plant-like aftertaste. However, there’s traditional Stevia and then there’s Stevia in the Raw. Although more expensive, it’s the cleanest version of Stevia out there.
There’s also the matter of the other ingredients that are in the formula. This can be anything from preservatives to filler ingredients that bulk up the formula, as well as different ingredients used to get the texture of a HHC gummy just right. To name every ingredient that can be found in a particular gummy would be impossible, since the possibilities are endless.
Essentially, some ingredients may carry an aftertaste, so read the ingredients carefully to be totally sure of what it is that you’re consuming. In general, the fewer ingredients, and the more natural they are, the better for you, and the less likely they are to produce any kind of aftertaste.
Gummies generally last for about 6 months at most. Cannabinoid extracts have a shelf life of about 2 years, but it’s the other ingredients in the formula that can expire sooner. After the HHC gummies have expired, they can start to change in flavor, with the flavoring ingredients causing more of an aftertaste than they used to. In general, you should replace expired gummies since fresh is always better.
The quality of the actual hemp extract used can also play a surprising role in whether or not you get an aftertaste, and how strong that aftertaste is. Any gummy that is made with a low-quality hemp extract could have an aftertaste that’s less than ideal. Cheaper companies may use solvents to extract their compounds, without any real method of removing them from the final HHC product. The result is a gummy with a butane-like aftertaste that instantly turns you off to the product altogether.
Even worse, there are fakes on the market that contain no real hemp extract at all, so you never know what you’re actually consuming. Always look for lab-tested HHC gummies to know you’re getting the real deal, by searching for them on a company’s website.
Of course, if a HHC gummy product has been contaminated, it can have an aftertaste. A good example is certain types of bacteria or fungus that can cause mildew or mold to develop, which would cause an unpleasant, lingering taste, not to mention a product that’s likely dangerous to consume.
HHC gummies can have anywhere from a weak to a strong aftertaste, or no aftertaste at all. It’s all about how the gummies were produced, and not all aftertastes signify something negative. Binoid’s Gummies aren’t known for having an aftertaste, so if that is something that you’re trying to avoid, you can stick to what we offer and feel fully satisfied with pure, lab-tested HHC and natural flavoring ingredients.
