GRADE: AAAA

CATEGORY: Flower / Hybrid

TYPE: Indica Dominant Hybrid – 80% Indica / 32% Sativa

THC CONTENT:  15% – 23%

CBD CONTENT: < 1%

EFFECTS: Focused, Relaxed, Creative

RECOMMENDED USE: Afternoon

MEDICAL USES: Depressed, A Loss of Appetite, Migraines

DESCRIPTION: Although black cheese might not be the most welcome item to find in your fridge, the cannabis strain Black Cheese is a potent and appealing hybrid. This indica-dominant strain is the creation of prolific growers Big Buddha Seeds and is a cross between San Fernando Valley Black OG and Big Buddha’s own Big Buddha Cheese. What results is a strain with a pungent (and potentially divisive) aroma and a long-lasting physical high. Black Cheese’s THC content has been measured at between 15% and 23%.

Black Cheese sets itself apart with well-formed flowers that are medium to large in size. These solid buds have an elongated shape that is slightly rounded at the tip, somewhat like a bullet. They have an indica-influenced structure, with small leaves that curl in on themselves to form a smooth, uniform surface and a solid core. The leaves themselves are a medium shade of olive green and, occasionally, show off hues of dark purple passed on from SFV Black OG. Finally, these buds are twisted through with brown pistils and dotted with cloudy white trichomes.

Unsurprisingly, flowers of Black Cheese give off a tangy, cheese-like odor that may turn off some consumers. A second whiff of these flowers may pick up on an astringent chemical scent as well. When these buds are ground up, their cheesy, skunky scent intensifies — and when Black Cheese is burnt in a pipe or a joint, it gives off a thick, pungent smoke that can tickle the palate and make sensitive users’ eyes water. On the exhale, this smoke has a skunky and slightly fermented flavor.

The high from Black Cheese can creep up slowly, requiring as many as 15 minutes after consumption to start flexing its effects. At first, the strain affects the head, exerting a feeling of constriction around the cheekbones and temples; some smokers may also experience an increase in salivation or flushing in the cheeks. As they get used to these strange tics, smokers tend to find themselves in a new headspace, characterized by more intense or more fast-paced thoughts. Ideas may jump from one to another in random free associations, illuminating new connections between seemingly disparate concepts. In some cases, this cerebral energy can be harnessed for productivity on all kinds of tasks. In some circumstances, Black Cheese’s mental effects can take on more of a sensory character, warping perception of certain stimuli and bringing about trippy phenomena like a sense of time dilation.

After a little over an hour, Black Cheese’s considerable body stone begins to emerge. Users may feel their limbs and eyelids begin to sag, making any extended physical labor increasingly difficult. Those who are lucky enough to be lounging at home, meanwhile, may find themselves sinking into the couch after a while. At this point, Black Cheese is better suited to passive pursuits like snacking or playing board games with friends than to tackling a demanding agenda. Because of its slow decline into sedation, Black Cheese is recommended for nighttime consumption.

Black Cheese’s blend of mental and physical properties can have several uses for medical cannabis patients. The cerebral rush that comes with its onset can help those with attention deficit disorders to focus on one task at a time. Additionally, the strain’s elevated mood may temporarily relieve some of the difficulties of mild to moderate stress and depression. Physical benefits include a relief from all kinds of chronic aches and pains; anti-inflammatory properties, meanwhile, may lessen the severity of discomfort like nausea and headaches. This strain’s tendency to encourage snacking may even enhance appetite for those struggling with hunger due to disease or to invasive treatments like chemotherapy.

Fortunately for those looking to grow it at home, seeds of Black Cheese are available for sale online. Once obtained, it can be grown indoors or out, with outdoor success depending on a semi-humid climate with daytime temperatures between 70 and 80 degrees Fahrenheit. Crops are on the short, squat side and can have wide fan leaves growing on their strong lateral branches. Gardeners looking to enhance Black Cheese’s bold shades of purple should briefly expose these plants to cold (but not freezing) nighttime temperatures just before flowering begins. Black Cheese reaches maturity and is ready for harvest within 8 to 9 weeks.

This indica is best reserved for a relaxing evening at home. It’s enjoyable whether you’re toking with friends or consuming alone.