Gelato Strain Review

When it comes to comfort foods, gelato is the “cream” of the crop! Who among us could resist the Siren song of this smooth and silky dessert (especially while bingeing on Netflix)?

But what if we told you there’s a way to enjoy gelato goodness without worrying about your waistline? While it may sound too good to be true, there is a sweet & creamy cannabis strain named “Gelato.”

OK, smoking a Gelato joint isn’t the same as slurping your favorite frozen flavors, but it’s still pretty sweet. First-time smokers will be surprised how much this West Coast hybrid resembles a delicious bowl of gelato.

Gelato’s Genotype – How Was This Hybrid Created?

Great strains like Gelato aren’t made in a vacuum. Indeed, it often takes years for cannabis experts to cross-breed classic strains and stabilize new hybrid genetics.

In the case of Gelato, West Coast breeders decided to fuse two equally famous hybrid strains: Sunset Sherbet and Thin Mint Girl Scout Cookies. To get a better feel for Gelato’s characteristics, let’s briefly review these popular parent strains.

Sunset Sherbet – Orange-Tinged & Indica Effects

Made with a blend of Girl Scout Cookies and Pink Panties, Sunset Sherbet is an indica-dominant hybrid first cultivated in San Francisco. This strain was partly named for its sweet & fruity flavors, and partly for its fantastic layer of curly orange pistils.

As an indica-heavy strain, Sunset Sherbet leans on the contemplative side, making it ideal for “sunset” smoking sessions. Many people who use this strain describe it as mostly relaxing with a mild sense of euphoria.

Thin Mint GSC – Cool, Crisp, And Chocolatey

Debates over what Girl Scout Cookie tastes the best will never end. But in the cannabis community, few people will go against the strain Thin Mint GSC. Indeed, this 50/50 hybrid is so well-liked that it won the Seattle Cannabis Cup in 2014.

Created as a unique GSC phenotype, Thin Mint GSC has all the refreshing minty and chocolatey notes you’d expect from its name. Although this is a well-balanced & earthy hybrid, some users claim it leans on the sativa side.

What Does The Gelato Strain Look Like?

Although breeders named Gelato for its sweet aromatics, it’s also well-known for its “ice cold” appearance. Indeed, well-cured Gelato buds often feature a mix of cool colors like purple, dark green, and even a tinge of blue. Thanks to the influence of Sunset Sherbet, it’s also common to find many bold orange pistils spread throughout Gelato’s flowers.

Beyond Gelato’s colorful patterns, this strain also wows users with its generous helping of sticky trichomes. As you examine these buds under the light, you should notice a sensational shimmer that’s reminiscent of water beads on the side of an ice cream bowl.

Is Gelato A “Nighttime Only” Strain? – Standard Gelato Effects

Due mainly to the inclusion of Sunset Sherbet, Gelato leans on the indica side of the spectrum. But that doesn’t mean you’ll be locked on the couch after smoking this bud. In fact, many people describe Gelato as a perfect strain for mellowing out before heading to a party. The slight sativa effects could help induce creativity and sociability, while the indica effects help keep you grounded.

Although Gelato is typically viewed as a “dessert strain,” that doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy this hybrid earlier in the day. The relaxing indica effects may predominate in Gelato, but they aren’t overwhelming. However, if it’s your first time experimenting with Gelato, we suggest trying it after dinner.

As a word of warning, Gelato usually has a THC content between 18 – 20 percent. If you’re not used to strains with this high THC count, you should approach Gelato with caution. Although this hybrid is well-balanced, that doesn’t mean it can’t induce paranoia. Beginner tokers and people prone to panic attacks should gradually work their way up to Gelato.

Sugary Sweet With A Hint Of Pine – Gelato’s Flavor Profile

What could be better than getting your sugar fix without eating any sugar? Gelato has an extremely sweet flavor profile that combines creamy vanilla bean with bright, fruity notes like berry and citrus. Thanks to the inclusion of Thin Mint GSC, you might also pick up a whiff of earthy pine, peppermint, and chocolate.

But it’s not just the taste that resembles swallowing a spoonful of ice cream. Many users describe Gelato as a surprisingly smooth smoke. Even if you’re prone to coughing, you probably won’t have a ton of trouble inhaling this strain.

In terms of terpenes, Gelato often has high levels of the fruity-flavored beta-myrcene and the earthy alpha-pinene. You might also find significant traces of the peppery beta-caryophyllene in your Gelato strain’s lab report. Although this spicy terpene doesn’t play a prominent role in Gelato’s flavor, it’s not unheard of to taste faint traces of spice on the exhale.

Are Gelato Seeds Difficult To Grow?

Gelato has a reputation for being a demanding strain to grow. While not as tricky as full-bred sativas, Gelato seeds require constant attention and are best suited for intermediate cultivators.

When growing Gelato seeds at home, you must create an environment that’s reliably hot and humid. Indeed, most home-growers say Gelato performs best when your grow room temp is 75°F. Because Gelato is so particular when it comes to climate, it’s strongly recommended you grow this strain indoors.

If you are going to grow Gelato outdoors, then you must live in an area that’s reliably hot and humid. For the best results, cultivators should only grow Gelato outside if they live in tropical or subtropical regions.

Although Gelato grows best in humid environments, it needs a few chilly nights to bring out those distinctive purple pigments. Interestingly, cold air stimulates the production of a compound called anthocyanin, which results in a pretty purple hue. If you want your Gelato flowers to look extra purple, consider experimenting with a few chilly nights during late vegetation.

Before you plant your Gelato seeds, please remember this strain gives off pungent aromatics. If secrecy is a top priority, you must use a high-quality carbon air filter in your grow tent. Also, please prepare your grow tent for plants with an average height of 4 – 6 feet.

According to recent reports, Gelato seeds take about 8 – 10 weeks to reach full flowering. Expert cultivators report harvesting anywhere between 16 – 18 oz of buds per 3 x 3 ft.

Does Gelato Have Traces Of CBD?

Now that hemp is federally legal in the USA, it seems like everybody is going crazy for the non-intoxicating cannabinoid cannabidiol (CBD). Although CBD won’t make users feel “high,” many customers claim it has a pleasant, clear-headed effect. CBD has also gained notoriety in the medical marijuana industry for its supposed anti-inflammatory potential.

Ever since CBD has become a superstar in the health & wellness space, customers have become increasingly curious about CBD levels in cannabis strains. So, just how much CBD is in Gelato?

In most phenotypes, Gelato has minuscule traces of CBD. Indeed, it’s rare to find a batch of Gelato buds with over 1 percent CBD content.

However, cultivators are now working on exciting CBD variants of strains like Gelato. As more people demand CBD in their favorite hybrids, you’ll likely find high-CBD Gelato cultivars hitting the cannabis market.

Get Your Gelato Fix Without Counting Calories

The next time you’re craving a tub of creamy gelato, remember there is a sugar-free, high THC alternative! Sure, Gelato might not be as decadent as the real deal, but it’s certainly deserving of its delicious name. See for yourself why so many smokers can’t get enough of this “guilty pleasure” hybrid.