Terpenes 101: Weed and Food Pairing

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We all can agree that weed and food are a match made in heaven.

Whether you’re smoking it or eating it or drinking it, cannabis just makes food better. Some would say that cannabis not only enhances your dining experience but can also enhance the flavor of your food and drinks. Avid cannabis aficionados across the globe have started thinking about pairing different cannabis cultivars with food, the same way you would think about pairing wine with food. Like wine, cannabis has widely varied flavors and aromas, also known as terpenes, that can accentuate, complement, and highlight the tastes and scents in your meal.

While pairing terpenes to food can be subjective, there are a few basic rules that can help you get started.

Basics of Pairing

If you’re brand new to the idea of pairing, start with matching flavors and aromas. For example, if you’re making guacamole with a bunch of fresh lime juice, pick a citrusy strain, high in limonene -- like Sunset Sherbert -- for an easy match. The citrus notes in your weed will bring out those same notes of your guacamole and vice versa.

Also, consider complementary or opposite flavors. Let’s say you’re making a fresh lemon pie and you want something to balance out the tart lemon filling. Look at pairing a sweet floral strain, high in linalool -- like Zkittles -- to balance out the citrus in your pie. 

When you start to experiment with what pairs work for you, It’s important to remember that there are no right or wrong answers. Everyone will taste and smell a little something different, so if it works for you, go for it! Over 100 terpenes have been discovered in cannabis to date, so you have plenty of options to choose from. Let’s get to know a few of the major terpenes a little better. 

Limonene

Limonene is known for its bright, citrusy aroma and slightly bitter taste. Limonene is known to elevate mood, relieve stress, and it has antibacterial properties. Strains that are heavy in limonene pair best with anything you would squeeze a lime or a lemon over. Try a shrimp ceviche, carne asada tacos, or avocado toast! 

Strains: Do-Si-Dos, Wedding Cake, and Strawberry Banana

Pinene

Pinene is found in two forms, alpha and beta-pinene, and both forms smell like a fresh pine needle forest. It can also smell a little herbal, like rosemary or basil. Pinene has been shown to help with pain relief, enhance focus, and even acts as a bronchodilator. Pinene has a strong herbal flavor and pairs best with something strong to match. Think of an herb-crusted chicken, roasted pork chop, or steak doused in a rich bordelaise sauce. 

Strains: Blue Dream, Big Smooth, and Jack Herer

Humulene

Humulene is known for its earthy and woody aroma with subtle floral notes, similar to some craft beers. Humulene is found naturally in hops, so you may find yourself thinking of your favorite IPA when lighting up a strain heavy in this herbaceous terpene. This terpene also has anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties, and works as an appetite suppressant. Sweet desserts, like salted caramel ice cream or chocolate chip cookies, would pair well with slightly sweet and slightly earthy terpene. 

Strains: Girl Scout Cookies, Headband, and Skywalker OG

Ocimene

Ocimene has a sweet and delicate floral aroma with undertones of wood and citrus. In fact, many perfume companies use ocimene for its beautifully dynamic scent. If you’re looking for weed with energizing effects, a strain high in ocimene may be the right strain for you. Try pairing this beautifully sweet and earthy terpene with a smoky and spicy rack of BBQ ribs. Anything rich and with a little heat will offset ocimene’s honey and citrus notes.

Strains: Clementine, Green Crack, and Dream Queen

Myrcene

Myrcene is the most commonly found terpene in cannabis on the market today. It is responsible for giving cannabis an earthy, musky, almost spicy scent like cloves with orange zest. Medicinally, myrcene has anti-carcinogenic, antibacterial, and antibiotic properties. This terpene is also known for its calming effects and its ability to keep cannabis users laid out on the couch for hours. Make a charcuterie board with crusty French bread, rich cheeses, salty cured meats, roasted nuts, and a fresh fruit jam to pair with this elegantly peppery and herbaceous terpene. Myrcene begs to be paired with something equally as funky and spicy.

Strains: Blue Dream, Granddaddy Purple, and Tangie

Linalool

Linalool has an incredibly floral and slightly herbal scent and flavor, just like lavender. Linalool may also work as an antidepressant and anti-inflammatory. There are not many strains that feature linalool as a prominent member, but it does appear often as a secondary or tertiary terpene. Try enjoying this terpene with chamomile tea or a lemon pound cake. Let linalool shine by pairing it with a delicately floral dish or something citrusy and fresh. 

Strains: Zkittles, Scooby Snacks, and Do si dos

Caryophyllene

Caryophyllene is known for its signature black pepper scent with an earthy undertone. Caryophyllene is also the only terpene found in cannabis to act as both a terpene and a cannabinoid. It can interact directly with the endocannabinoid system to produce anti-inflammatory effects and also reduce stress and anxiety. The spicy and funky notes of caryophyllene lend itself to fresh bright flavors and saucy pastas. A grilled peach and burrata toast or a spaghetti al limone would be a perfect pair for caryophyllene. 

Strains: Candyland, Bubba Kush, and Sour Diesel

Terpinolene

Terpinolene is a multi-talented terpene. It’s not just piney, floral, musky -- it’s all of those things at once (and even a touch citrusy). Terpinolene is rarely the dominant terpene in cannabis, but it is often pulling strings in the background. It has been shown to have antifungal and antibacterial properties and can uplift your mood. When it comes to your food, think of terpinolene as an all around crowd pleaser. Its flavor profile is complex yet approachable for nearly every palate, so feel free to use this all over your kitchen! 

Strains: Chernobyl, Jack Herer, and Golden Pineapple

Geraniol

Geraniol is a sweetly floral terpene with delicate fruit notes. You can also find geraniol in roses and it is a natural antioxidant. It has also been highlighted in many studies as a potential cure for cancer! The subtle flavors in geraniol would pair well with other subtle flavors, like green tea and honey, or try some savory opposites, like almonds and buttery biscuits. Explore recipes for matcha shortbread cookies or roasted almonds with sea salt and black pepper. 

Strains: Lemon G, Strawberry Diesel, and Purple Punch

Research and Explore

With over 100 terpenes known in cannabis, these 9 different terpenes make up only a fraction of what the plant has to offer. Cannabis is a deeply complex and nuanced plant that we are learning more and more about every day. Join us on the front lines by doing a little exploring yourself! Whether you are looking to deepen your medicinal use of cannabis or are just looking to impress your friends at your next munchie sesh, the possibilities are endless.