Ah, don't put words in my mouth Kemosabe, that is just not sanitary
What I believe is the degradation over time you mention, along with the breaking down of sugars and plant matter like chlorophyll that make bud that is destined for smoke taste better. I also believe significant
terpenes are lost in this process. These are things that I have read and they fit with my personal experience.
What I believe is that there are a whole host of other beliefs out there with regards to curing and storing (lots of which are consistently reinforced by places like this) that are just not true, and without a formal test that people can see and agree upon, there will continue to be people that adamantly defend their position. Hell, even after proof there are those that will stick to the earth is flat. This testing is not for those people. This test will serve those that genuinely are curious and would change their beliefs based on new evidence. We had an example just a few comments ago -
lets dry in a dehydrator - no way that makes it taste like hay.
It's easy to dig your heels in on one side or another and defend your convictions, what is difficult is being truly open minded yet thinking critically to avoid becoming a cult member. I'm sure there are people feeling uncomfortable just reading this. Challenging beliefs is not something we are wired to do easily, your conscious has to step in and push out the subconscious need to get along, need to feel you have a grasp on the world, instinct to protect your own thoughts, etc. It takes a little practice and often a new mindset. I could not have thought as I do now at the age of 20 - my brain would not allow me. Some of you reading this may be there as well. Here's a chance to grow a little in support of a thing in your life you love.
So, I have a harvest
I have several different ways to dry and or cure
I have the ability to test our beliefs with empirical data
Why not put some of these notions to bed once and for all?
What I typically do is freeze dry the same day of harvest and process immediately. I believe that is the best overall product for my needs. I leave open the possibility I am wrong. That's how the scientific method works.
What I would like to do (maybe I need a new thread for this) is to perform a whole host of tests. Lighting. Harvest. Storage. Hydro vs Dirt. ETC. Put the data out there in the wild. A rising tide lifts all boats equally. We could all improve as growers if we do this right and have an open mind. Let's use this lab and every opportunity such as a harvest to test something controversial, even if it has nothing to do with THCV. Whatcha think?
So, my humble ask my fellow growers - help me design a test that checks all the boxes, solves for as many variables as possible in the shortest time, and whose results will be accepted by the vast majority of participants here. Then lets do the same on all the other things! Like UV and Far Red. LED vs. HID. Full spectrum vs. partial. When to harvest for maximum cannabinoids. Testing claims made by manufacturers, seed companies, etc. Hydro vs Dirt. Sterile vs. Organic. The list is huge. We could have a lot of fun.