Humulene
Woody, earthy, with hoppy bitterness
At a glanceHumulene (alpha-Humulene, alpha-Caryophyllene · a cannabis terpene) smells of woody, earthy, with hoppy bitterness. Humulene is a close chemical cousin of caryophyllene and a major contributor to the aroma of hops — it is part of what makes both beer and many cannabis strains smell the way they do. Expect woody, earthy depth. Also found in hops, coriander, cloves, basil.
What is Humulene?
Humulene is a close chemical cousin of caryophyllene and a major contributor to the aroma of hops — it is part of what makes both beer and many cannabis strains smell the way they do. Expect woody, earthy depth.
| Aroma | Woody, earthy, with hoppy bitterness |
|---|---|
| Also found in | Hops, coriander, cloves, basil |
| Also called | alpha-Humulene, alpha-Caryophyllene |
Effects context
Humulene appears in preclinical inflammation research alongside caryophyllene, but human evidence from cannabis is essentially absent. In strain guides it is mostly an aroma note: woody and grounding.
Strains with humulene-like flavor notes
Frequently asked questions
- What does humulene smell like?
- Humulene smells woody and earthy with a hoppy, slightly bitter edge.
- Where else is humulene found?
- Hops, coriander, cloves, and basil — it is a big part of beer aroma.