One of the first things new cannabis consumers discover is that there’s are many, many of cannabis strains out there—and more keep hitting dispensary shelves everyday. In 2015, scientific reports suggested that there were at least 700 officially named and recognized cannabis strains, each offering unique potencies, flavors, and effects. However, that was a few years ago. Today, it’s safe to assume that well over 1,000 strains are being sold across dispensaries.
With so many cultivars on the scene, determining the best strain is bound to be controversial, but a few names often rise to the top of international rankings. Enter Sour Diesel.
Frequently dubbed the “best sativa strain of all time,” Sour Diesel has been a top crop since it first appeared in the 90s. While the cannabis industry has changed significantly since its introduction, there’s no denying its OG status in global weed culture. Anyone searching for a classy, gassy sativa will not be led astray with some quality Sour D bud.
History and Lineage of Sour Diesel
Often called “Sour Deez” or “Sour D,” Sour Diesel is a sativa hybrid strain that first began circulating the cannabis scene in the 1990s. There’s some debate over its history and lineage, notably whether breeders created the strain in California or New York and which exact cultivars are its actual parents.
However, it’s most likely a cross between Chemdawg and Super Skunk, both of which give this strain its infamous industrial aromatics and extreme THC percentages, though others have alleged its parents could be Chemdawg and OG Kush.
- Chemdawg: Similar to Sour Diesel, Chemdawg first became popular in the 1990s, but only a little is known about its origin. There are some hazy legends about some seeds at a Colorado Grateful Dead concert, but most cannasseurs assume Chemdawg is a mix of landraces like Thai and Nepalese. True to its name, Chemdawg has pronounced “chemical” aromatics, which many describe as industrial and sour, which finds its way into Sour D.
- Super Skunk: This stinky strain originated at Amsterdam’s Sensi Seeds and is a cross of Skunk #1 and an Afghani landrace. Like Chemdawg, Super Skunk tends to have an even sativa:indica balance and a generous concentration of THC. The flavors in this strain tend to have a “dank” dimension with plenty of musk, hash, and spice.
Although these parents don’t lean sativa, the cuts from Sour D’s original breeders must have had pronounced sativa traits, considering the resulting sativa hybrid. Sour Diesel is such a popular sativa that it routinely wins awards and even got to the number three spot on High Times’ best strains of all time.
Sour Diesel: Terpenes, Flavor, and Aroma
There’s no sugar-coating it: Sour Diesel smells like gas. When you smell well-cured buds, your nostrils are bound to flare up at this strain’s petrol fumes. You won’t get any relief from sweet or fruity notes either—which is excellent news for cannasseurs who prefer industrial funk. Remember that since Sour Diesel reeks of earth and gasoline, it’s not the most discreet strain to smoke. Tokers looking for a strain that doesn’t attract attention won’t find it here, so plan your sessions accordingly.
The scientific explanation behind Sour Diesel’s extreme scent involves a terpene called beta-caryophyllene. Naturally found in spices like black pepper, beta-caryophyllene often appears in cannabis strains known for their abrasive, hashy, or spicy flavor profile. This terpene smacks the back of your throat with extreme heat and may give you a coughing fit. However, if you can endure the punch of beta-caryophyllene, you may be in for a great reward.
Besides influencing the flavor profile of Sour D, beta-caryophyllene seems to have a fascinating chemical structure that resembles a cannabinoid. In fact, this spicy compound appears to interact directly with the body’s endocannabinoid system (ECS), a system that helps our bodies regulate many aspects of our basic physiology, such as mood, appetite, body temperature, and more.
Sour Diesel: Effects and THC Level
While we don’t know the complete details on how beta-caryophyllene works in strains like Sour D, preliminary studies suggest it may have potent anti-inflammatory and anti-anxiety effects. These powerful properties may explain why the “high” from Sour Diesel has become so legendary in cannabis circles.
Although beta-caryophyllene seems to play a big role, it’s not the star of the show in terms of Sour Diesel’s effects. We are, after all, talking about a cannabis strain, so it’s impossible not to discuss Sour D’s THC profile.
Typically, Sour Diesel cultivars have THC concentrations in the 20% range or higher, which may produce a reliably potent effect after just one puff. Keep in mind that since Sour Diesel is on the sativa end of the spectrum, the “high” is usually far more heady than body-heavy. Those who smoke Sour Diesel often report a cerebral high that’s both energizing and euphoric. Since Sour D is such a potent sativa, tokers are advised to go slow and monitor its effects before consuming more.
Tips for Growing Sour Diesel
Sour Diesel isn’t the most straightforward strain to grow indoors or outdoors. True to its sativa genotype, it tends to grow rather tall, so it can require a significant amount of space. Like other sativa strains, growers often notice that Sour Diesel is extra susceptible to mold and sensitive to nutrients, temperature, and humidity.
If you have the space on your property, planting Sour Diesel in a greenhouse or outdoors is ideal due to its tall stature. It also grows best in zones with reliably high temperatures of about 70 – 85° F during the summer growing period to give the plants the right amount of warmth.
Be sure to have plenty of supplemental nutrients on hand and watch out for deficiencies, as Sour Diesel sometimes has a reputation for being a heavy eater. Harvest time typically hits around October; if all goes well, you can expect 600 – 800 grams yields.
Find Premium Sour Diesel Strains at Exclusive
Reading about strains like Sour Diesel can only take you so far—if you want to appreciate this legendary strain, you need to hold it, smell it, and—of course—smoke it!
Don’t worry; we’ve got you covered. At Exclusive, we go out of our way to source the best Michigan-grown cannabis available anywhere, including Sour Diesel and its various offspring. Stop by the Exclusive dispensary closest to you, or check out our online menus and let the fun begin!
Have more questions about this unique strain or others? Ask any of our friendly budtenders or drop us a line. We’re always here to help.
