Let’s be honest—growers have a unique way of appreciating cannabis compared to those who only consume it. There’s something about seeing your seed develop into buds and the intricate process that makes us have an intimate attachment to them before we even consume our harvest.

While growing is the first stage, consumption is always the tale-tell sign of whether it was worth the wait. Whether you’re a seasoned grower or a beginner nearing the end of your first grow, this blog will help you enjoy your yield even more.

How Cannabis Gets Its Taste and Smell

From the chemical composition to the perceived effects on our senses, all cannabis strains are different. Many of these differences are attributed to the various compounds within each plant. Terpenes are one of the most popularly studied compounds responsible for giving each a unique taste and smell. With approximately 200 different terpenes found across all cannabis plants, various combinations of them can lead to vastly different results in how they smell, taste, and affect our bodies when consumed.

Many consumers strictly focus on how much THC is in a particular strain. However, terpenes and other compounds in each plant interact with each other and compounds in our bodies in a phenomenon called the entourage effect that can vary for each person. Selecting the perfect terpene profile when choosing a strain to grow can significantly increase the effects of it once consumed.

Tips for Appreciating Cannabis

Browse any of our cannabis seeds online, and you’ll get a comprehensive breakdown of the taste and aroma to expect from each strain. Successful home grows will yield similar results. However, it’s up to you to actually experience these diverse strain characteristics. The trick is developing your sense of smell and taste to maximize appreciating cannabis strains as they are truly meant to be enjoyed.

Here are a few tips on getting the most out of your grow:

Tip 1: Know what aromas and tastes to look for

Weed connoisseurs can take a blindfold and give an accurate description of different cannabis strains put before them. Before calling yourself an expert, you should know what to look for in your strain and train yourself to recognize those exact flavour profiles and scent notes.

Knowing the most popular terpenes in cannabis is an excellent place to start for recognizing the taste and smell. For example, Myrcene is one of the leading terpenes found in all strains, such as out FatKid’s Cake and  AK-OG Kush. You can recognize it by the earthy or herbal scent in your buds and a spicy flavour when consumed. Limonene is another common terpene popular in strains like Pineapple Kush and Lemon Haze. As the name suggests, it delivers a taste and scent likened to citrus and fruit. Learn about the most common terpenes here.

Tip 2: Using the Right Tools to Maximize Taste

The worst thing you can do as a grower is not using the right tools to taste the delicious strains you worked so hard for. Don’t let your harvest go to waste by consuming it effectively to get the full flavour profile with every hit.

The cleaner your consumption method, the more flavour you’ll experience. Some of the best tools for consuming cannabis for taste are glass pieces and vaporizers. These minimize combustion, leaving more of the pure terpenes to reach your body once inhaled. Things to keep in mind for these tools are maintaining clean pieces to avoid cross-contamination of strains and monitoring the heat levels of your vaporizer to prevent overheating the terpenes.

Rolling papers are one of the most common ways to consume cannabis. To maximize flavour with these, use flavourless papers and don’t mix with tobacco.

Consuming cannabis via edibles will often mask the pure natural flavour of a strain due to other ingredients used when baking. However, you can utilize different weed flavours and their terpenes to enhance your edibles—think of it as an additional seasoning! For example, using the Choco Kush Autoflower strain in brownies will pair well due to the strain’s chocolate flavour profile.

Tip 3: Practice Mindful Consumption to Engage All Your Senses

The art of consuming cannabis like an expert means using all of your senses during the consumption process. This slow, mindful way of consuming leads to appreciating cannabis for more than just how high it gets you, but also the flavour, smell, look, and feel. Even your sense of hearing can be effective since the sound of snapping stems can mean overly dry buds, which reduces the flavour.

Read here for our guide to tasting cannabis like a connoisseur.

Tip 4: Create a Suitable Tasting Environment

Did you know where you consume cannabis can affect how you taste it? Since tasting weed engages all of your senses, the best environments are those that cater to each of them. For example, well-ventilated rooms can help you focus on the smell of your cannabis without other scent interference. Also, rooms with bright lights will help with examining your strain for trichomes and other features that enhance their effect.

If you find your homegrow not meeting your expectations for the taste once harvested, there are several techniques you can implement at different stages that can help improve it for the next grow. These can range anywhere from adjusting your grow environment, modifying your dry and cure process, and more. 

As always, starting with the best cannabis seeds is essential to achieving the flavourful buds you desire. We offer top-quality seeds that you can order online and provide details of each strain before you buy to know precisely what to expect from your grow. Browse our seeds today to see what cannabis flavour you’ll be excited to try next.

View Our Best Selling Strains

 There’s a lot of wild talk out there when it comes to growing weed. We try to debunk some of the main marijuana myths and hand you some solid facts about cannabis instead. That way, even if we don’t improve your growing accuracy, at least we’ll boost your cannabis trivia knowledge to help impress your friends at parties!

Uncovering The Facts About Cannabis

For centuries, all information related to cannabis consumption and cultivation was shrouded in a haze of mystery by default. Legal constraints, popular myth, and the ill-conceived international war on drugs all contributed to an overall sense of obscurity and taboo on all things dank and skunky. 

We see it as our responsibility to help debunk some of the greatest and most persistent myths about cannabis. You will notice that many of these myths appear to be politically motivated somehow, probably intended to scare people away from a plant that has been praised, consumed, and enjoyed for millennia.

So without further ado, here are three persistent myths about weed, along with the relevant facts about cannabis to set the record straight.

Popular Myths About Weed: Death By Weed?

For decades, since long before the arrival of the internet in fact, there have been rumours about so-called “death by weed”, suggesting that consuming cannabis can actually kill you. This is an established marijuana myth, as there have never been reports about anyone dying from weed, period. For as long as we know, the total cases of cannabis deaths per year has been zero. 

Even though any substance – including water and oxygen – will become toxic and even fatal at some point depending on overall volume ingested, there is just no way anyone could smoke or munch themselves to death. The sheer amount of cannabis, THC, or any other of its constituent cannabinoids required for a fatal dose would be too enormous to consume in a single session, or even a single day. As a matter of fact, our own physiology would prevent us from ever taking and toking so much: we would pass out on the floor long before death by weed became even remotely possible.

Some claim that even if this is true (which it is), consuming cannabis could cause severe brain damage that would be severely crippling if not entirely lethal. This is yet another clear example of pervasive myths about weed. Studies have demonstrated that even though cannabis can cause short term effects on memory, attention, and emotional states, these effects have never been proven to cause permanent brain damage.

The opposite could actually be one of the most positive facts about cannabis instead: various cannabis compounds are being studied for their potential merits in treating various brain conditions, including presently incurable neuropathology such as Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s Disease!

Is Weed a Gateway Drug?

Another popular myth about cannabis is closely linked to the Gateway Drug Theory, also called Stepping Stone Theory by some. This theory suggests that use of relatively harmless substances like cannabis increases the likelihood of people switching to ‘harder’ and more harmful drugs such as heroin or amphetamines, for instance. 

Multiple studies have demonstrated that this hypothesis is incorrect. Even if certain statistics show correlations between use of cannabis and use of other (illegal) substances, the theory is overly simplistic and ignores various social, biological, and political mechanisms at work.

Just like other myths about weed, including the lazy stoner stereotype discussed below, the Gateway Drug Theory should be consigned to a history marked by the unfounded persecution of people enjoying the recreational and medicinal potential of a plant that has been with us for ages – and which is likely to outlast our species with casual ease.

The gateway drug model could still apply to other substances, even if it is merely a myth when it comes to cannabis. The recent opioid crisis, for instance, has given rise to speculation that synthetic (prescription drug) opiates like fentanyl could act as a gateway towards abuse of other opiates such as heroin. Interestingly, medicinal cannabis has been suggested as an alternative for the abundance of opiates prescribed by doctors today. 

So in addition to the fact that cannabis addiction is a hotly contended topic to say the least, weed could even help stop addiction epidemics that cost many thousands of lives every year. 

So is weed a gateway drug? Science says it isn’t, and the opposite may in fact be closer to the truth. Perhaps it is time we added some new cannabis facts to replace some old myths about weed: marijuana could actually be a gateway towards safe and natural pain relief, instead of the stepping stone conservative pundits have long claimed it to be…

Facts And Myths About Weed: The Lazy Stoner Stereotype

Of the many myths about weed, few have been so prominently highlighted in popular culture as the lazy stoner stereotype. Media caricatures of cannabis consumers generally portray some sort of scruffy, lazy numbskull interested only in cartoons and the inside of the fridge. If you feel the whole thing once more smacks of propaganda in the war on drugs, that’s because you’re right – in part at least.

We will be the first to admit that cannabis ingredients such as THC can make anyone feel relaxed to the point of lethargy, especially the type of heavy bodybuzz associated with strong indica weed strains. This is hardly the whole story, however: there are many types of cannabis that produce entirely different effects. 

Various sativa-heavy strains are bred, grown, and consumed specifically for the energizing, uplifting highs they produce. If you want an example, try one of our refreshing hazy sativa strains such as Lemon Haze seeds. 

The type of high that debunks the lazy stoner stereotype is often fuelled not just by cannabinoids like THC or CBD, but by a whole auxiliary army of terpenes and other organic compounds such as flavonoids. Linalool, for instance, is just one example of an uplifting terpene, which is also found in lavender. Caryophyllene is another fine example, and the list goes on with over 100 different terpenes currently identified in weed strains.

The complex biochemical interplay that causes your high is a nuanced and delicate affair that involves dozens of different substances. Did you know, for instance, that cannabinoids can mutually influence, boost, or dampen each other’s mental and physical effects? Terpenes and flavonoids have the same ability, commonly known as the entourage effect. 

Today’s cannabis market offers such a staggering variety of strains that the old and speculative lazy stoner stereotype is definitely headed for the scrapyard. We have plenty of uplifting, mood-improving, creativity-inspiring and fatigue-busting strains to prove our point – and that’s a well-established cannabis fact that nobody can deny! 

Despite the desire for independence marked by Brexit, as far as cannabis is concerned, the United Kingdom seems to be following the European trend of progressive legalization. British phlegm seems to prevail over repressive policy by raising public awareness and relaxing criminal law in some cases.  Where do the Brits stand on cannabis legalization? This blog takes you across the Channel to decipher the current status of cannabis in the UK.

Medicinal Cannabis In The UK

Since 2018, citizens have (in theory) been legally allowed to use medical cannabis in the UK for specific conditions such as multiple sclerosis and epilepsy. However, in practice it is a different story; in 2018, only 3 children with epilepsy were able to receive a prescription for cannabis-based treatment from the NHS.

Access to cannabis products such as Sativex appears quite restricted due to Kafkaesque legal stipulations. And the most disturbing is that patients who can afford to pay for a private prescription are more likely to benefit from medicinal cannabis legalization. However, some citizen initiatives have helped to unblock a bogged-down situation to allow cancer patients or children with epilepsy to benefit from the virtues of medicinal cannabis.

Consumer Power

The case of Andrew Baines in 2020, a patient himself, who illegally grew and supplied cannabis to a hundred patients who were unable to obtain it through the official medical channel, comes to mind. At the time of his arrest for growing 30 plants and distributing a Class B drug, he was loudly defended and supported by all the patients he had helped and the media chorus.

In the end, Baines got off with a symbolic sentence: six months of community service which is the lowest of the lowest sentence you can get in the UK. This verdict sends a very clear message that medical legalization should be an effective measure of helping patients and not an abstract political or philosophical idea.

In another redemptive ‘scandal’, the action of Charlotte Caldwell, the mother of a child with epilepsy, led to a change in cannabis prescription laws. After the authorities confiscated her son’s medical cannabis at Heathrow airport, Charlotte Caldwell sued to change the law. She won the case, allowing free access to cannabis-based medicines for severely epileptic children. This case was largely exposed in the media and showed that pressure can help to bend the tendency in a desirable direction.

It is worth noting that, although there is a UK-wide medical education program on cannabis for healthcare professionals, it is not officially considered as medicine and should not be promoted as such. Many doctors fear losing their license and prefer to avoid prescribing a cannabis product (Sativex, Nabilone, or Epidiolex) despite the ‘legalization’ of its medicinal use.

However, the struggle continues in the British Parliament to make it easier to prescribe cannabis-based medicines to patients who need them. The compassion and sense of justice evoked by the media and public opinion should soon improve the prescription and information on cannabis in the UK for specific treatments, possibly clearing the way for unnecessary legal hustle.

British CBD And Hemp

Hemp, the raw material of the British Isles for centuries, is of course legal, and CBD oil (at a maximum level of 0.2% THC) is freely available as it is throughout Europe. The first CBD event organized by the Hemp Industries Association (HIA) took place in London in June 2019. Many producers and manufacturers of hemp products, such as clothing and cosmetics, were present to celebrate this market revival of a traditional product. Events like this bode well for the future of the hemp industry, a plant-based material that fits in with current back-to-nature trends.

And as a typically eccentric English anecdote, a young socially aware lawyer reportedly decided to swap his traditional horsehair wig for a hemp wig to defend animal rights. We can safely say that the new uses of hemp are still surprising and can ingeniously give a twist to established traditions.

The Delicate Case For Recreational Cannabis In The UK

Although the UK law on cannabis use is still restrictive, it seems that decriminalization is on the agenda. The Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, seems to be looking into the matter very seriously to find a modus vivendi that would allow especially young people not to be penalized as consumers of small quantities. He has even traveled to the United States, to California in particular, to learn from the American model of legalizing recreational cannabis production, distribution, and consumption and to identify the possible pitfalls and dangers of such a decision.

Of course, it is best not to possess too much cannabis in the event of a police check in the UK, as production and trafficking are considered a serious breach of the law. The larger the quantity, the more obvious the repeat offenses or suspicions of involvement in the black market, and the more likely you are to end up in prison for many years. Casual users are rarely penalized, however, and are subject to a warning or a £90 fine.

Production, Export, And Distribution Of Cannabis In The UK

Paradoxically, although production of cannabis in the UK is prohibited, England is the world’s largest exporter of illegal weed, and one wonders by what miracle… Despite a production average of more than 100 tons/year of cannabis in the UK for medicinal or scientific use, the public concerned sees only a tiny fraction of it.

Analyzing all this contradictory data one can only look for the error without finding it. Licenses for the authorization of cannabis cultivation are granted sparingly, but we might wonder whether this is not an attempt to gradually bring reality into line with fiction or vice versa. The country is largely divided about legalizing recreational cannabis and there are political issues at stake, no doubt.

However, the British are not without a sense of humor and have unexpected and sometimes shocking ways of effecting change. At the end of August 2022, we noticed the spontaneous eruption of wild advertising (4x3m) in the London Underground for an illegal platform to buy cannabis online. This kind of bold and fun provocation can only generate a sense of “why not” in the mind of users and potential defenders of legalised cannabis in the UK. And the future will tell us the result of that kind of activism for the good cause.

God Save The King

Since the passing of Queen Elizabeth II and the accession of King Charles to the throne, one can legitimately wonder what the trend will be for the legalization or decriminalization of cannabis in the UK. A new era is beginning and although the UK Cannabis Social Clubs (UKCSC) are growing in number and becoming more vocal, it is still difficult to predict anything in a nation on the move.

If you live in the UK and perhaps have the honor of having been granted a legal license to grow medicinal cannabis, discover at once our seeds collection in our online shop to order the noble genetics of our own Dutch monarchy (the House of Green; not of Orange, mind you) and make sure you own the right kind of green pedigree. And of course, do not forget to check our grow blogs to master the secret science of weed gardening!

How does the German cannabis scene work, and what are the current prospects of of growing and consuming legal cannabis in Germany? This blog explores where the country is headed, weed-wise, as well as explaining the current situation when it comes to laws and legislation on hemp and cannabis in Germany.

The Steady Rise Of Cannabis In Germany

The legalization of cannabis in Germany has been moving slowly but surely since 2017 when the prescription of medicinal cannabis was allowed. And if the early signs are anything to go by, we should soon see this European country join the many nations where cannabis is fully legal.

Recreational use of marijuana and its large-scale cultivation should even be the subject of a set of laws by the end of 2022. Germany’s smooth transition to a truly green economy is underway, but as we will explain below, there are still some major hurdles to be taken before we can enjoy and grow legal cannabis in Germany.

Medicinal Cannabis In Germany

Germany with 82 million inhabitants is the largest market on the continent and the largest importer of cannabis in the world. About 128,000 people each year are currently prescribed cannabis-based medicines or cannabis flowers in Germany.

The physician prescribes cannabis or its derivatives such as Sativex, Dronabinol, and Nabilone, only to patients for whom conventional treatments do not work. The “negative” image of cannabis as a psychotropic and illicit drug with its adverse consequences is still prevalent in the German medical community. This is one of the reasons why doctors are often reluctant to choose this alternative.

However, cannabis is for instance indicated and prescribed for symptoms such as depression, chronic pain, migraine, and anorexia. Reimbursed by most insurance companies and exclusively distributed in pharmacies, medicinal cannabis prescription is increasing by 40% every year. And of course, this craze for the therapeutic benefits of weed inspires those who like to consume cannabis for pleasure.

Legalization Of Recreational Cannabis In Germany

Historically, cannabis is a plant that has always been part of the Germanic landscape. According to archaeological evidence, in ancient times, cannabis was a highly respected plant and used in rituals and for medicinal purposes. And yet, today, even if CBD is fully legal as it is throughout Europe, the recreational use of cannabis is dividing the public opinion among German citizens.

The democratization of medicinal cannabis on German territory has not been enough to convince those who are against legalization. Indeed, a large majority of conservative Germans (63%) and especially the dominant party (Christian Democratic Union) are against a lax attitude towards the consumption and cultivation of cannabis. The “opponents” are looking for “safety first” and prioritize the protection of minors regarding cannabis consumption. And they are irrevocably not in favor of the legalization of recreational cannabis.

Penalties For Use And Possession Of Cannabis In Germany

Although cannabis is the most frequently seized drug in Germany among young populations, possession for personal use is rarely punished. Consumption that is subject to a fine is considered a criminal act that is recorded in the criminal record of the person penalized. However, it can be said without undue optimism that there is a good chance that these repressive measures will disappear in the near future.

How Likely Is A 2022 Legalization Of Cannabis In Germany?

Burkhard Blienert, the federal government’s commissioner for addiction and drug issues announced in June 2022, that a plan to legalize cannabis will be presented before the end of 2022. A series of hearings of more than 200 experts in addiction, medicine, and law is currently taking place to set up the legislation for the project.

Unlike the Netherlands, where the sale of cannabis in coffee shops preceded the legal and controlled authorization of production, Germany is planning a total solution. Burkhard Bliener wants the production, distribution, and sale to be entirely under legal control. The production of cannabis for the recreational market should represent 400 to 600 tons of weed per year, which implies the necessity to import and involve other European countries in this huge network.

European Regulations

As more and more European countries are considering legalizing the consumption, production, sale, and distribution of cannabis, legislation will have to change drastically to find a consensus. The prospects for commercialization of cannabis in Germany and many other countries are extremely encouraging and stimulating, allowing the creation of jobs, and finding efficient systems of production and distribution with a focus on quality and public health.

Will the consequences be always favorable and homogeneous in all countries? Each country has different standards of living, structures, and cultures and will not face the same challenges. One can think for example of the level of criminality linked to drug trafficking and the social consequences for those who live from the clandestine sale of weed. Is the exposure of young people to cannabis loaded with more than 20% THC desirable and will legalization not facilitate access to cannabis for minors?

All those questions are carefully examined by experts in Germany but in all the countries where legalization is taking place. This will probably bring new insights to find the best way to legally include cannabis in modern society, enhancing the bright side and controlling the dangers of weed legalization.

Signs Of Impending Legalization

The unanimity of CBD legalization is a model that can serve as a basis for regulating the medical and recreational markets for cannabis in Germany. 2024 seems to be the first date on the horizon when Germany will officially start producing and selling recreational cannabis. In the meantime, the Hanfparade in Berlin in August 2022, a demonstration in favor of the legalization of recreational cannabis, was held to confirm the tug-of-war between liberals and conservatives.

It remains to be seen which way the balance will be tilted, but although Germany, like France and Belgium, is not in favor of cannabis decriminalization, there is hope for a happy ending. When we see the wave of cannabis legalization worldwide, the resistance against legal cannabis in Germany will probably not hold too long and compromises will have to be found.

Preparing For Legal Cannabis In Germany

If you live in Germany, or if you plan to do business with this changing country by 2024, follow the info on our blogs to be sure not to miss the boat! And above all, develop your know-how by growing the best cannabis seeds: visit our online store and stock up!

Order Your Seeds Online From Germany

If you are ready to grow premium cannabis in Germany, then by all means, go right ahead. We have been shipping first-class genetics to German clients for years, so we wouldn’t be surprised to see little pieces of Amsterdam growing in Germany if we looked closely!

Did you know that water can make a huge difference in the taste and your experience of cannabis? Weed is typically associated with deep cravings for sugary drinks, but the taste of the cannabis community is changing. This blog explains how a glass of water gets you the purest taste of cannabis  – with some nice aquatic perks to boot!  

Cannabis Needs Water, Always

Cannabis and water belong together. A cannabis seed cannot grow without it; even the first step of germination will fail if H2O is lacking. Growing marijuana just doesn’t work without watering the roots all throughout the growth and flowering stages. Hydroponics based cannabis growing relies almost entirely on water, and flushing a plant before harvest adds to its distinct taste and purity.

But the deep bond shared by weed and water goes even further. Did you know that drinking water gives you the purest, fullest, most original taste of any cannabis you grow or buy? As cannabis lovers around the world focus more on flower flavour and terpene profiles, water is a great, easy, and healthy companion for all your first-class weed experiences.

Fine Liquids And Premium Herbs

The Amsterdam Genetics collection of high-quality cannabis seeds typically attracts a community of refined connoisseurs and gourmet growers. When it comes to matters of taste, we tend to focus on terpenes for flavours, delicate strains with aromatic bouquets, and recipes for delicious edibles. We often overlook the importance, however, of the beverages we consume alongside our beloved buds. Join us for a deep dive into the joys of pairing premium cannabis with quality water, aided by the expertise of London-based water sommelier Milin Patel, of the Fine Liquids water enterprise.

A Taste For Water And Cannabis

Just as with any other delicacy, the right type of water can lift the taste experience of quality cannabis to another level. Compare it to picking the right wine to accompany your favourite dish: knowing which bottle to pop can make a big difference.

Wait – hang on. We can hear you think: the right type of water? Surely any plain glass of H2O will do? Well, the kind of water you pick adds another level to your cannabis taste experience – but we’ll get to that later.

Pairing cannabis with water elevates the taste experience, making it more comfortable, healthy and inspiring. Water can carry and uplift the flavour profiles of cannabis while keeping your mouth, palate and body hydrated. This unlocks the taste nuances of both water and cannabis strains. Just like weed – or wine, for that matter – water can have ‘terroir’: the unique qualities it gets from the soil from which it came. Natural water from a spring, artesian aquifer, well, rain, glacier, iceberg, lake stream reservoir – they’re all uniquely different.

This just makes water ring with so much history and a mystique that creates great conversation – again, just like quality cannabis. On top of that, water contains healthy natural minerals from the soil that help keep your health and wellbeing in balance.

The Flavour of Water, The Taste Of Cannabis

For thousands of years, philosophers claimed that water had no flavour. As Aristotle wrote: “What water is to tongues, as darkness is to eyes and silence is to ears. The natural substance water per se tends to be tasteless.” In his view, water is just a vehicle for flavour. Most people still think along the same lines today.

“Aristotle wrote: What water is to tongues, as darkness is to eyes and silence is to ears. It’s time to move past Aristotle, though.”

It’s time to move past Aristotle, though. Today’s many types and brands of water are a match for the myriad strains available for cannabis growers and connoisseurs. The trick, Milin says, is finding the best combinations. Water and cannabis can amplify each other’s unique flavour and effects, while their respective potential health benefits can add up in interesting ways as well.

Tasting Buds Like A Boss

The goal when creating a cannabis and water pairing is for all of the components to enhance each other. You might even be surprised if the combination creates an entirely new flavour not yet experienced with cannabis alone. This is what Milin calls ‘discovering your herbal palate.’ Much like evaluating wine, you can also use sensory evaluation techniques to prep your nose and palate for interpreting cannabis.

Next time you harvest and cure your lovingly grown flower, put it in a wine glass and begin to smell the different aroma layers that jump out of the glass. Try to evaluate the cannabis. Inhale several times, making a mental imprint of what you’re perceiving. Compare and contrast against other strains. What are the differences? The more you practice, the easier it will be to identify your favourite terpenes, which will lead to harmonious cannabis and water pairings.

Water And Cannabis: Taste, Terroir & Vintage

So water is the new wine, and like wine – or cannabis for that matter – water has its own particular terroir. The literal meaning of terroir in French is “soil” or “earth.” However, the word carries a much deeper connotation in water and tasting.

Water gets its unique terroir as it journeys through the deep layers of the earth. All water started out far in the galaxy as cosmic juice with the very simple H2O formula: two hydrogen atoms and one oxygen atom. Water came from outer space and helped to create planet Earth.  Water is a universal solvent and dissolves just about anything it encounters. So when it travels under the earth, it enocounters minerals and trace elements in the geological strata, which water absorbs into its terroir.

In cannabis growing, these terroir minerals are the building blocks of the plant, with a definite impact on taste and plant health. Where and how you grow makes as much difference as what you grow. It’s the same with water.

The vintage of water does not define its quality or taste but pays attention to the waters age and journey enjoying the backstory of the source that contributes to the experience. For example, when sharing your favourite cannabis strains and sipping fine water with friends, the journey and taste of both will definitely hydrate the imagination and keep you engaged with mother nature. It’s like knowing about the different origins of haze or kush cannabis strains: knowing their vintage adds depth to the experience of weed.

Pairing Buds And Drinks

The flavour of cannabis largely depends on the terpenes a strain contains. Water’s taste is determined by the variety of minerals it contains. This is measured by Total Dissolved Solids (TDS) measured in milligrams per litre (mg/l) or parts per million (ppm). A water’s TDS is made up of a variety of minerals; Magnesium, Calcium, Potassium, Sodium, Sulfates, Bicarbonate, Silica and trace elements like Iron, Iodine, Copper.

The higher the TDS level the more distinct a waters taste can be. Low TDS waters will have more subtle neutral taste. Compare it to cannabis strains: the higher the trichome, terpene and cannabinoid count, the more distinct its smell, taste, high or desired medical benefit. Still, all of these require minerals to grow, which are carried by the water a plant drinks throughout its life. Maybe you recognised some of the essential minerals listed above from your growing adventures. If you did, you’ll know what we mean: water determines the taste of cannabis from Square One.

How Water Improves The Taste Of Cannabis

The naturally occurring mix and composition of minerals makes each source of water completely different and this is based on geographical and geological formation in the area the water flows.  For example, waters that are sourced from volcanic regions of the world have a different mineral composition to waters that are sourced from glacial melt water.

That determines the taste of weed while growing. Still, the subtle taste of water also affects the flavour of cannabis when its flowers are finally ready for consumption.

Natural minerals in water contribute to the taste and mouthfeel of the water as well as the cannabis you pair it with. Water can be smooth and silky, sweet, or chalky, for instance, and the carbonation level of sparkling water only adds to the variety. Water can make a much more neutral taste background for cannabis, but it definitely adds its own twist to the mix.

Tackling Cottonmouth And The Munchies With Water

Yet water has more to offer cannabis lovers than just an improved flavour experience. Anyone familiar with the cottonmouth phenomenon will appreciate the fact that nothing works better for a dry mouth – or xerostomia as our water expert knowingly calls it – than plain old aqua. If smoking cannabis gives you that parched palate, your taste perception dries up along with it. That’s a real waste!

Don’t reach for a cold beer or sugary drink after smoking cannabis. That will only make matters worse. You should try and avoid drinking things like tea, heavy wines and fruit juices as they are attributed to dry mouth because the tannin contained within these beverages add to the dry mouth sensation. There is a simple solution. Just sip tap water or naturally sourced water frequently while consuming your premium cannabis strains and it will fight against the dry mouth and help enjoy the terpene flavour profiles.

Water can even help counter the all-consuming cannabis induced sense of hunger known as the munchies – and it does so calorie-free, too! Choosing a nice and sparkling carbonated water for your cannabis tasting helps tame those fridge-clearing urges, on top of cleansing the palate for elevated taste perception. That’s yet another great reason to pick fine liquids alongside your fine herbs, fellow connoisseurs!

Pairing Water And Cannabis: Tips For Taste

Of course, a blog on cannabis and water would not be complete without some expert tips from Milin:

Drinking water at room temperature will let you explore the taste of water. If the water is served chilled it can provide a refreshing sensation but limits the taste of water (and cannabis!) as the taste buds are chilled numb.

A variety of ways of consuming cannabis leads to a variety of ways to pair water and cannabis.

Traditional combustion, i.e., smoking a joint: start with low mineral content water. This allows the cannabis terpenes to be discovered with subtle mouthfeel of water. Afterwards, a medium or high TDS’s sparkling water helps reduce the harshness of the smoke on the palate, while the bubbles uplift the flavour and reset your taste buds.

When vaping cannabis concentrates or extracts, drink still water with low mineral content at room temperature. This will help improve the flavour profiles and keep the mouth hydrated and reduce the onset of dry mouth. This can be followed by a chilled sparkling water to re-calibrate the palate, delay cottonmouth, and help reduce the munchies.

Sativa-dominant strains that have fruity terpene scent like limonene (natural lemon scent) will pair very well with low to medium TDS mineral waters, preferably still or lightly carbonated (effervescent)

Indica-dominant strains that have dark fruity linalool and earthy profiles will pair very well with medium to high TDS  mineral waters with large round bubbles that will elevate deep flavours of blackberry, pepper, cloves and cinnamon.

After consuming cannabis your taste buds are activated. So why not just sit back and savour the flavour of the water and try and describe the taste and mouthfeel you experience? As we discussed each water will have a completely different profile. Maybe you will discover a favourite water to enjoy with cannabis during your consumption or after just to sip and relax.

Watering Tips For Cannabis Growers

Obviously, growing cannabis seeds on exclusive spring water would be too expensive for anyone below Snoop Dogg or Jay-Z income levels. Nonetheless, water is crucial for growing weed, so surely, a water expert might have a splash of wisdom to add here, too.

It starts with understanding the composition of the water you use. It could be freshly harvested rainwater, tap water, or reverse osmosis filtered water. Whatever you use, try to keep the following pro tips in mind:

• Use water at room temperature. Cold water can shock the roots and stress out your plant.
• If your local tap water is chlorinated, just let the water sit in an open bucket to let the chlorine evaporate before use: 24 hours will be sufficient.
• Measure the pH and TDS to make sure they are within the control limits for your set up, whether soil or hydro based.

Deep understanding of the incoming water and what is required to polish the water to meet the plants specific requirements is the key to success: “All water is not created equal”. Always keep in mind that water is different wherever you go or grow, even if you use only the finest genetics.

Pairing cannabis strains with natural mineral waters is a future trend. As the cannabis community is learning to appreciate the pure and healthy joys of water, you can stay ahead of the curve and enjoy its aquatic benefits right now. Drinking water can really improve your cannabis taste experience, and since neither weed nor you can go without water for long, pairing the two just seems to make intuitive sense on so many different levels!

Cheers!

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Long-time cannabis consumers may notice that the highs start to feel less sensational than they used to. Fact is, your body gradually gets used to the compounds cannabis contains, which limits heir effectiveness. You start to need more to achieve the intended effect. This can be a reason to consider a cannabis tolerance break. Taking a break from regular consumption patterns can come with substantial benefits. This blog explains what to expect from your cannabis tolerance break, as well as how to handle it.

Why Consider A Cannabis Tolerance Break?

Frequent cannabis users will recognise how their experience of the effects vary over time. No matter whether you use weed for medicinal or recreational purposes, at some point, your body may develop a level of tolerance for cannabis and its active ingredients. This tolerance explains why the high starts to feel less intense after repeated use.

Incidentally, tolerance and addiction are two very different things. Whether weed is addictive, and how such addiction expresses itself, is still hotly debated around the world. This special blog addresses the matter in detail, but for now, let’s return to the phenomenon of the t-break, or tolerance break.

A tolerance break is a tried and tested method to counter the body’s increasing cannabis tolerance. Put simply, it is a temporary pause aimed at cleansing the body and mind of cannabinoids, with particular emphasis on THC.

By not using weed for a set period of time, the body returns to its original sensitivity to the various compounds found in cannabis. Ultimately, this makes you respond to weed the way you used to before tolerance set in. In effect, a tolerance break reverses your tolerance to cannabis, which allows you to enjoy its effects like you once did.

How Long Should A T-Break Last?

Anyone trying to take a break from cannabis is free to do so however they wish. Some people just use less weed for some time, while others decide to quit altogether for a few weeks or longer. Depending on how much cannabis you use and how you expect your body to react, you should decide on your own preferred method.

You will notice an increased responsivity to cannabis even after a few days’ tolerance break. The general advice, however, is to take at least two weeks for the tolerance to subside. Feel free to use you own feelings as a guide, though. You will notice how your mind becomes clearer as your body adjusts to the new weedless reality. These are sure signs that your cannabis tolerance break is working.

If you really want a full body cleansing that rids your whole system of cannabinoids, a 30-day cannabis tolerance break is the recommended minimum.

How To Handle A Cannabis Tolerance Break

1. Timing Is Everything

If you plan to put your cannabis intake on hold, it helps to determine beforehand how long your tolerance break should last. Twenty-one days is a good place to start. Make sure you pick a period without any major changes or events that could disrupt your usual structure of living. Also, try not to plan too far ahead by delaying the start of your cannabis tolerance break. That will only undermine your will to make a start. Once you plan your t-break, you made a deal with yourself: take it seriously and stick to the plan – you’ll thank yourself later!

2. Your Stash

Once you have planned your cannabis tolerance break, it helps if you make sure your stash is finished before you start. Having your stash nearby during your t-break will make it more difficult to pull through, especially if you can see or smell it – although knowing you could just reach in and grab some poses enough temptation for most.

The best thing to do is making sure there is no weed left around the house. In fact, that applies to all cannabis-related items: your lighter, papers, pipes, and other smoking gear. Pack it all up and ask a friend to keep it safe for you, or give it away for an added sense of finality.

3. Ask Your Friends For Support

Speaking of friends, you have a choice to make. During your tolerance break, your friends, especially the cannabis loving ones, can be either a valuable source of support, or a complicating factor keeping you from the finish line. Ask yourself which of your friends are likely to support you and tell them what you’re planning. Most of them will understand and try to support you if the going gets tough. Do you feel as though certain people may want to undermine your attempt? Then try to avoid them until you finish your break.

4. Keep Yourself Occupied

Bear in mind that not using cannabis will leave you with extra time on your hands. That makes it essential to find something to keep you occupied. You could try new forms of exercise, such as running, indoor climbing, or yoga. Finding a nice creative hobby can work wonders too. It will prevent you from getting bored and tempted to turn back to that weed habit. Perhaps more importantly, it can give you a sense of doing something constructive with the time you manage to free up, and perhaps pick up some new skills along the way.

During Your Tolerance Break: Handling Cannabis Cravings

No matter whether you consumed a little weed or lots of it, it will have had some effect on you. For some, it’s about the relaxed feelings it brings; for others it’s a means to control anxiety or a source of cheer. That means taking a temporary break can make feelings of boredom, anxiety, or irritation resurface.

Even if you were just using cannabis for fun, for the flavour, or out of sheer habit, your tolerance break is bound to trigger moments when the longing for some weed (‘just a few quick puffs…’) suddenly seems overwhelming. This is most likely to happen on moments and in situations where you’d normally be likely to light up. You can try to avoid these situations of course, but you are bound to run into these fleeting moments of deep cravings one way or another.

Positive Challenge

And yet, finding ways to handle these moments of temptation is a key positive challenge during your cannabis tolerance break. Even though you may dread the prospect of these cravings, knowing what lies ahead is a big advantage. Use it to anticipate the challenge, and think about how you can make it through these difficult moments. It will strengthen you in your resolve to resist temptation whenever it presents itself.

The first few days of a tolerance break can be particularly tough. Many people indicate that the fourth day is the hardest. If you feel the urge to quit your tolerance break, resist it. You can make it through these first few days, and from there on, things will start to get easier. The following tips can hep you deal with cannabis cravings and overcome the desire to quit your tolerance break prematurely.

• Get moving: get some exercise, take a walk, or do some ironing instead;
• Distract yourself: do something creative or listen to good music;
• Be aware that cravings are just emotions – they will pass after a while;
• Try to feel what is going on, both in the physical and the emotional sense;
• Learn to detect situations that trigger cravings, and use this knowledge to your advantage;
• Ask a close friend to act as backup, so you can call or text them when things get tough. It can really help to have someone you appreciate talking you through the most difficult moments, by reminding you of why you started this cannabis tolerance break in the first place.

Bonus tip: If your tolerance break is making you feel sad, stressed out, or anxious, you can try using CBD Oil to lift your mood and regain your balance. Our online store has a full range of hemp oil supplements to choose from, so order now to prepare for that upcoming t-break!

After Your T-Break

Did you last long enough to make it through your cannabis tolerance break? If so, congratulations! You have every reason to be proud of yourself for your solid demonstration of discipline. So no what, you may wonder? Well, there’s several things you can do from here. You could decide to extend your break just a little while longer, or maybe you’ll take it easy from here, going slow on the herb now that you’ve spent a few weeks being sober. Then again, you could feel it’s time to get back on track and start working on your former favourite pastime again.

Obviously, the choice is all yours. Whatever you decide, though, keep in mind that you’re going to be much more sensitive to cannabis than you were before your tolerance break. The longer the break, the bigger the difference. If you underestimate your reduced tolerance, you may find your first high way too intense. If it does become a bit overpowering, you’ll find some useful tips on keeping the high in check in this blog.

And while we’re at it… If you do decide to go ahead with your tolerance break, perhaps this is the right time to start a new cannabis grow! That way, you’ll be able to reward your effort with a batch of freshly harvested weed that’s bound to taste better than ever before!

Pick Seeds For After That T-Break