Cookies and Cream Cannabis

Bud Basics

As the Indica hybrid lovechild of fruity Sunset Sherbet and Thin Mint GSC, Gelato was always going to be a crowd-pleaser. Tracing back its lineage to an originally Colombian strain and abundant with mouth-watering blueberry and citrus notes, this Bay Area, California native is not only one of the most uniquely tasty strains available, but potent too.

With a THC content of between 20%-25%, Gelato is not for the faint of heart - but while delivering a mellow, relaxing high, you’ll also find an intense mental clarity will quickly overtake you. Perfect for sharing with friends, Gelato gets its name from its deliciously dessert-like aroma, and is understandably a favorite given its popular parentage.

Thanks to its numbing and relaxing effects, this is the strain for anyone looking for analgesic power - great for dealing with migraines, arthritis or muscle spasms, whilst boasting the ability to give you the most chronic munchies you’ve ever had, too.

Not the easiest strain to grow, it’s worth noting that Gelato Regular can be a tricky one to manage due to the specific environmental factors required for optimal growth - but undoubtedly worth the wait, with a higher than average yield if done right.

Flavor and Fragrance of Gelato

When dried and cured correctly, Gelato’s subtle earthy notes serve only to emphasise the delectable mix of blueberry and orange citrus fruitiness that make the strain so damn flavorful, leaving your tastebuds overwhelmed with the oh-so-sweet cookie and sherbet delights inherited from its parentage - and that’s just the first toke.

Prepare yourself for the hints of lemon and dense coffee flavors that follow - a result of plenty of caryophyllene and limonene terpenes - accompanied by a thick, complex vapor that’ll expand your lungs and your mind at once. Hints of sandalwood and even lavender can be found in this rich smoke, though the taste of berries and orange will still be most evident - all in all, making for an intense, elaborate attack on the senses from all sides: simultaneously sickly sweet and woody to boot.

Soft and creamy, Gelato is a smooth smoke sensation, which might explain its name. Though delicious, this is a seriously pungent strain - important to consider if you’re aiming for discretion.

Effects

If you’re after a strain that encourages creative pursuits, look no further than Gelato Regular. Its effects hit fast and strong - sometimes even before you’ve managed to exhale - but aren’t overwhelming if you don’t overdo it, enhancing your sensory perceptions to the point of near-elation. Everything is better with Gelato holding your hand, and with a few tokes of this mind-altering strain, you’ll find new vibrancy in the world: the dullest of tasks will become suddenly interesting and appealing - and most importantly, you won’t lose your focus despite your intensified surroundings.

Head-heavy in nature, consumers will find themselves first hit with a head rush of awesome cerebral stimulation that leaves you floaty and comfortable, but lucid enough to enjoy the sensation without dozing. There’s no sedation or couch-lock here, though that’s not to say the body buzz isn’t enticing. Some fans of Gelato have reported the occasional tendency to drop off to sleep immediately after smoking, but most will tell you otherwise. It’s a perfect strain for use when socialising, with friends, or alone - just like its namesake gelato.

Since Gelato Regular is a high THC strain, it’s a specimen recommended for the more seasoned smoker, and novice consumers should proceed with caution. Those with a higher tolerance however, will love the euphoric and amplified psychedelic effects that bring on the occasional sound sensitivity and even time dilation for consumers. It’s a full package of brain stimulation, covering all areas for a chilled evening or late afternoon of pursuing artistic endeavors. 

Gelato is great for consumers wanting to get some work done in a home environment, or those searching for that little push to come up with original and inventive new ideas. With a high that builds to bliss, and a slow creeping body buzz, you can’t help but feel totally calm and peaceful after an encounter with this strain.

Medical Uses of Gelato

It has to be said that Gelato is a strain of many talents… Highly coveted for its powerful therapeutic properties as well as its unique flavor profile, this strain powerfully blends relaxation with numbness to provide an analgesic combination.

Often used to medicate headaches and migraines, Gelato is also a great strain to choose if you’re suffering from arthritis, muscle spasms,  inflammation  or chronic pain if you’re after some temporary relief.

Given the intense hunger consumers feel after sampling the many delights Gelato has to offer, this strain is also particularly useful for those struggling with any variety of eating disorders, including chemotherapy-induced regurgitation. This strain has been found to possess the curious quality of suppressing vomiting - meaning smokers who are unable to keep food down may suddenly find the time to regain their appetites.

Amongst the many medicinal uses, Gelato can improve mental wellbeing too. Due to its carefree mood elevation effects, you can expect temporary relief from many of the troubling symptoms often associated with depression, stress and PTSD.

As Gelato is a potent strain, some caution must be advised to consumers who deal with anxiety or are prone to paranoia, as this might not be the strain for you, and newbies might want to temper their consumption or opt for a strain with a lower THC content. It must be noted, too, that over-consumption could cause mild lightheadedness, dry eyes and cottonmouth, so stay hydrated when smoking this beauty.

Growing Gelato Regular

Gelato Regular might not be a strain for those new to growing marijuana, as the list of requirements can seem intimidating for beginners, but there are tips that can help. Before you get started though, keep in mind that since these are regular seeds, males must be separated to prevent pollination if growing for yields.

Physically, Gelato leans toward the classic attributes of many other Indica strains: imposing in appearance with a large cone shaped cola and clusters of dark green, dense buds. In the right environment, Gelato can grow as tall as 6 feet, but this can be controlled by employing the Screen of Green technique to manage its height while increasing bud production. Force transitioning the plant to the flower stage around two weeks earlier can also help deal with the height, and both methods will improve your yield size.

The buds on Gelato are particularly sensitive to higher humidities and vulnerable to pathogen attacks, so take care when growing to maintain ideal room conditions - crucially a  relative humidity (RH) level of 40%-50% for its flowering period, and dropping at the end of the cycle to around 30-40% for the final two weeks.

It’s important to keep an eye on the temperature while growing Gelato Regular, too. Between 20-26°C where possible, just like the mild, dry summers of California. This, plus a high soil content of magnesium and calcium, a regular prune of the lower branches for light penetration and airflow, and you’re on your way to collecting 500-700 grams of buds per square meter. 

When the flowers begin to reach maturity, expect to see an opalescent coat of white resin appear, though it has to be noted that some phenotypes of Gelato Regular aren’t as resinous as some of their relatives unless growing conditions are absolutely optimal, due to the short stalks on the trichomes.

Gelato’s buds tend to be small, but thick and dense - gorgeous forest green leaves, highlighted with deep shades of violet and mauve from the high levels of anthocyanins present and fiery orange pistils. If it’s purple you’re after, these colors can be stimulated by colder weather in the last two weeks before harvesting.

This strain tends to flower within 8-9 weeks when grown indoors, and like its parents, has a higher than average yield - but be aware that Gelato is a pungent lady. Indoor growers might want to consider some odor control measures.

Summary

Gelato Regular is a beautifully balanced flavor-profile of delight, if sticky, sickly sweetness is your thing. And if it isn’t, it soon will be with a fruity, smooth taste and aroma that’s inarguably delicious. Combining the best parts of both of its parents, this is a popular strain for good reason: bold in taste and easy on the eye, it’s a great example of the taste-focused craft hybrids emerging from the West Coast in recent years.

Delivering blissful relaxation even in low doses, whilst boosting those creative juices, Gelato is something of an all-rounder for recreational and medicinal use too - an ideal strain for those in need of pain relief for a variety of issues, alongside temporary alleviation of mental health complaints too.