As the seasons change, our senses tend to crave different smells and flavors that complement the weather. Fall means cozying up at home, walking around the pumpkin patch, and relaxing in fuzzy sweaters. Fall is also the perfect time to try out some new cultivars.
From notable holiday movie characters to Thanksgiving-style dishes, the names of these strains are just as fun as their effects. Check them out:
We’ve also broken down the terpenes & their scents found in each strain:
Training your nose to identify these scents can take time. But these are the key terpenes (essential oils) present in each fall strain. You may recognize them from common household herbs and items. You can also learn by looking up a strain’s genetic lineage, meaning the parent strains the crosses were bred from. Dutchie’s terpene ecommerce product feature can give you detailed information about each strain’s terpene contents and how they offer different effects. Now, let’s dive in.
Jack Skellington is known as “The Pumpkin King” from the 1993 film Nightmare Before Christmas. But in this case, it is the name of a tasty cross between Killer Queen and Jack the Ripper. While both strains on their own have more stimulating effects, together they produce a mellow and euphoric mood for most users. Jack strains often present high levels of Pinene, which is the terpene carrying the essence of pine. Its flavors are reminiscent of walking through the forest. With a calming sensation rippling throughout your body, you should be in just the right frame of mind to binge some Halloween movies.
Another cross from parent sativas is the genetic child of Sour Diesel and Cinderella 99. Sour Apple tastes like it sounds, like sour apple candy that may leave your taste buds puckering for more. To most consumers, it smells and also takes sour upon inhale, but the exhale is typically sweet. Sour Apple is packed with autumn terpenes, like Pinene, spicy Caryophyllene, and Eucalyptol, and Humulene. For a full list of terpenes, search “Sour Apple” on your favorite dispensary’s Dutchie menu. If you continue to puff on this cultivar, you may also find yourself in movie mode, instead of entertaining trick-or-treaters.
While there is no pumpkin-flavored terpene, there is a combination of spice-rich terpenes that produce a similar taste. Like in Pumpkin Kush, a strain made from Lambsbread and Pre-98 Bubba Kush. These two earthy parents were crossed for an aromatic result. The spicy and sweet nutty smoke swells to an even sweeter, pumpkin-flavored exhale. Most users who smoke this strain report feeling a creative, buzzy, euphoric mood lift that may keep you grooving and moving throughout your day. Kush strains tend to be high in Myrcene, so discomfort may melt away with each inhale. Pumpkin Kush is known to produce a cerebral, social effect that pairs well with hanging out with friends around a campfire.
If sweet flavors aren’t your cup of tea, try Donny Burger. This cross of GMO (Garlic, Mushroom, Onion Cookies) and Han Solo Burger creates a savory smoke. Like a juicy burger slathered in onions and topped with lemon aioli, this strain carries notes of cloves, spice, and citrus fruit—coming from its top terpene content: Myrcene, Limonene, and Caryophyllene. Fittingly created by Skunk House Genetics, this cultivar packs a punch every time. The name comes from the parent strains, but it is also a play on a character from an Adam Sandler flick—can you guess which one? Or maybe you already smoked it, and you are too busy feeling blissed out for trivia.
Another notable strain in the savory category is Pot Roast. It tastes like it sounds, building anticipation for autumn comfort foods with each exhale. Pot Roast is a potent cross between Garlic Cookies and Meat Breath. Consumers’ noses can usually detect the meaty, earthy terpene profile just from opening a jar of it. Bits of pepper and fruity pine can be noticed in the aftertaste, which points to the Caryophyllene, Limonene, and Pinene in this plant. The effect it produces is all-encompassing and relaxing for most. This diesel-rich strain may put you to sleep. It pairs well on a quiet weekend, with fall leaves cascading in the background.
Northern Lights #5 and White Widow make up the genetics within White Lightning, originally bred by British Seed Company. To most, this combination offers a happy, balanced, and mellow effect. Upon smelling it, the flower seems sweet, but this strain reveals a skunky taste when smoking it. Its high Myrcene content produces its relaxing, euphoric effects. It also leads to a lightened body sensation that may feel as if you are physically floating on clouds. White Lightning gives a fuzzy, tingling sensation—much like a fuzzy sweater pressed against your skin during cold weather.
To wrap it up, we picked a strain that is both sweet and savory. Blue Frost fits last on this list as the seasons get colder and frost begins to trace the earth. Its genetics and terpene content give this plant a melting pot of aromas and flavors. Blue Frost is the result of crossing Blue Monster and Jack Frost as its name implies. This cultivar emits a sweet nose, but an earthy smoke with cheesy overtones. It is high in Myrcene, one of the most relaxing terpenes that often builds a full-body experience with each puff. Thanks to this strain’s Pinene contents, your mind may feel inspired and focused, while your body is soothed.
All of these strains are fitting for autumn and each one is tailored towards a particular experience. Since fall usually means harvesting season for cannabis, be ready to try new smells, new flavors, new effects—new strains. This is the best way to celebrate “Croptober.” Whether you are socializing fireside or snuggled up indoors, all of these terpene-rich strains can help you unwind and embrace the moment.
