Pairing Marijuana With Meals
Marijuana is undergoing a bit of a makeover as it becomes more accessible to North Americans. No longer is it the devil’s lettuce, only smoked by hippies at music festivals. It’s becoming a more sophisticated experience. Talk of “groweries,” the marijuana equivalent of wineries or breweries, are in the works.
Like beer, wine, or other enjoyable indulgences, there are ways to enhance the marijuana experience. Terpene profiles and high-quality bud allow you to really enjoy the experience of smelling and tasting each strain. You can pair certain strains with teas for a chill evening in. Or you can pair it with meals for a nice way to satisfy the munchies before you even know you have them.
Use this guide to learn more about understanding the flavours in cannabis and how you can pair marijuana with meals. Impress your friends by creating a menu that satisfies the palette and gives everyone the giggles.
Tips for Pairing Marijuana With Meals
Go By Terpenes
Why are some strains citrusy, while other ones smell like diesel? The answer lies in the strain’s terpene profile. Terpenes are a collection of organic compounds that appear in plants. While they are prominently discussed in the world of cannabis, terpenes also appear in fruits, vegetables, and other delicious foods.
Terpenes and Where to Find Them
Myrcene is found in hops, lemongrass, and OG Kush.
Limonene is found in orange peels, peppermint, and Banana OG.
Caryophyllene is found in cinnamon, black pepper, and Sour Diesel.
Linalool is found in lavender (the herb and the strain,) mint, and Special Kush.
Pinene is found in basil, rosemary, and Jack Herer.
…the list goes on and on.
Each strain of cannabis contains multiple terpenes, and they all work together to build the strain’s aromas and flavours. While Sour Diesel may not smell like cinnamon, for example, you get a taste of spices influenced by the caryophyllene and other terpenes in the strain.
Complement, Rather Than Pair, Flavours
Use terpenes to start to match strains with the flavours and aromas you find in your favourite dishes.
Limonene is a terpene with a distinct citrusy taste. Think beyond smoking it when you’re drinking a citrus smoothie. Many meals are enhanced by a citrus flavour.
Think about all of the times you squeezed a lemon on top of a seafood dish or grilled chicken as that final touch of flavour. Strains high in limonene could be that final punch of flavour that completes your meal.
What About Effects?
Terpenes also greatly affect how you feel after smoking certain strains. If you want a strain for after dinner, a nice body high and sleepytime strain is your best bet. Strains that give you a big case of the munchies may just have you reaching for a bag of Doritos and spoiling your nice, thought-out meal.
Think about the time of day when you want to pair marijuana with food and what you and your guests plan to do afterward. The right strain will complement your meal and set you up for the next set of activities.
Get Creative
There is a science to pairing marijuana with food, but don’t forget to have fun. Experiment with different strains and different meals. A citrusy strain might go well with a pasta dish, but peppery flavours could also be a nice complement. Don’t stress out over it.
Don’t Know Where To Start? Here’s a Menu For You.
Here are just a few suggestions for meals that you can pair with your favourite strains of cannabis based on flavour and terpene profiles. These recipes aren’t too complicated, so we’ve simply provided a list of ingredients that you’ll need to make these classic dishes.
Wakey Wakey, Eggs and Bakey!
What to Make: Steak and eggs
- Sirloin steak
- Olive oil
- Salt and pepper
- Paprika
- Butter
- Eggs
What to Smoke: Zeta Sage
We’ve got your breakfast, lunch, and dinner menu covered. Steak and eggs is a great way to start the date, but make sure you’ve got a nice sativa to put some pep in your step. Zeta Sage is high in caryophyllene and brings a spicy punch to this hearty breakfast.
(Want to add even more THC to your breakfast? Consider using a THC-infused olive oil or a cannabutter.)
Pizza Party!
What to Make: Margherita Pizza
- Pizza dough
- Mozzarella cheese
- Tomato sauce
- Fresh basil
- Olive oil
What to Smoke: Dutch Treat
Know some vegetarians who want in on the fun? Make a nice, light meal that everyone can enjoy. Margherita pizzas are simple, yet classic. The same can be said for Dutch Treat. The hybrid strain is high in pinene, which can also be found in basil. This could be a great pairing if you’re having an afternoon get-together or summer celebration. A nice lemonade or a Pale Ale would also complement this food and marijuana pairing quite nicely.
Healthy Helping of Veggies for Dinner
What to Make: Lemon-herb roasted vegetables
- Butternut squash
- Parsnips
- Brussel sprouts
- Potatoes
- Garlic cloves
- Lemon, lemon juice, and lemon zest
- Fresh herbs (parsley, chives, dill)
- Olive oil and cooking spray
What to Smoke: OG Kush
Nothing is better than a hearty meal to close out the day. Lemon-herb roasted vegetables won’t make you feel too heavy, but OG Kush might. This indica-dominant hybrid gives off a mix of lemon and herb aromas to perfectly complement this nice and easy-to-make dish. You don’t need more than a single bowl and a baking tray to make these vegetables, so you can clean up before the couch-lock hits.
If you want a more uplifting strain that still gives off a fresh lemon scent, consider Ghost Train Haze. It will keep you focused for board game night, a few episodes of your favourite TV show, or whatever activity you want to indulge in at the end of the day.
Don’t Keep These Secrets To Yourself!
Have a favourite meal to pair with your favourite strain? Don’t hide it from the world! Share your best pairings in the comments and spread the word about enhancing your marijuana experiences with a good meal.
Comments (8)
ganja pesto is probably the best savory I have tried
This seems so fun to try I’m gonna write some down thanks for the great article!
Infused meals all the way!
Never heard of Zeta Sage strain must be a sativa
This is getting the munchies taken to a whole other level. Great, informative article as usual. Some steak and eggs with a side of delicious weed sounds amazing right now.
Lots of yummy info here as usual !
Weed makes everything taste better, weed beer and ice cream.
Cannabis add great flavor to certain meats and I swear certain food make the herb more potent.
Comments are closed.