Aloha fellow firewalkers! And aloha to you
@TGTDE!
A symphony can perhaps best describe the curing process The word symphony comes from the greek word symphonia, loosely meaning harmony. The symphony is divided into 4 movements. I will mainly use the 1st and last to illustrate my point as both of these movements are typically the same; allegro. Let's listen to one of my favorites, Beethoven's 9th symphony.
In the first movement, a powerful, definitive statement if made. It builds in it's intensity and complexity; at times frenetic, as the instruments start to come together in unison.
The smoke of the sativa has some power. Flavors are fresh but undefined. In the first 4 weeks, cannabinoids begin their transition and certain terpenes dominate this initial part of the cure.
The middle parts of a symphony are slower as the theme further develops. The maturation continues and at times flavors and smells change and even the effects are transitory and can be hard to define. This is the scherzo of the 3rd movement. There is a slow blending in a harmonius way. I liken this to the 6 weeks of cure for this sativa. One can sense the potential at this point but it has yet to all come together, though the smoke is getting stronger in it's effect, tastes and smells are in flux.
The last movement incorporates the "An die Freude." Now, we not only hear instruments but human (angel) voices as well. The complexity and the number of instruments involved illustrates full participation. There is a feeling of elation and happiness. A release of tension, a reclaiming of self immersed in spirituality. The initial terps that sparkled in the beginning are now somewhat muted as they take their place among the many that now "speak up" and contribute to the overall complexity in smell, flavor and high. If you listen particularly to the last 11 minutes starting at 18:20 min, hopefully you'll get the idea that I am trying to convey.
In a 6 month cure, all chlorophyll has disappeared, cannabinoids have matured and the subtle smell and the power of these delicate sativas is finally realized.
Hope this helps. Long cures for these types of sativas should be part of the process. Always put one bottle in the back of the closet for later. You'll thank yourself when you finally pop open that bottle and smell the divinity!
mu