Cannabis Colors and Strain Varieties
Well before the era of cannabis and cannabinoid testing, customers primarily relied on sensory factors such as scent and hue to make their cannabis choices. Subsequently, taste and, naturally, potency played a pivotal role. Even in the present day, despite the wealth of knowledge at our disposal for making informed weed selections, there’s nothing quite as captivating as a jar brimming with vibrant cannabis buds.
So, what is the source of these mesmerizing hues in cannabis buds? The answer can be summed up in a single word: anthocyanins.
Anthocyanins belong to a broader family of compounds known as flavonoids and are synthesized through the phenylpropanoid pathway. They are present in various parts of higher plants, encompassing leaves, stems, roots, flowers, and fruits. These compounds lack any distinct odor and possess a mild astringency. Their appearance can range from shades of red, blue, to purple, contingent on the pH of their environment.
Consider the transformation of tree leaves in the autumn. As temperatures plummet, they transition from green to vibrant shades of red, orange, yellow, or gold. A similar phenomenon occurs in the realm of cannabis: when the green recedes, the captivating colors emerge.
Temperature also plays a pivotal role in this process. Chlorophyll, which is indispensable for photosynthesis, is impacted by cooler temperatures that suppress its production. In the context of cannabis, the color transformation can be stimulated by lowering the temperature and shortening the light cycle, simulating a change in seasons, depending on the lineage of the strain.
While the optimal pH range for growing cannabis is typically 5.5 to 6.5, during the flowering stage, growers can make slight adjustments to either accentuate or diminish specific anthocyanins, thereby coaxing out desired colors. Moreover, various cannabis strains exhibit unique combinations of cannabinoid ratios, flavor profiles, and anthocyanins.
Anthocyanins can be found in various parts of the plant, including leaves, flowers, and sometimes even within the trichomes, the tiny outgrowths on the plant’s surface. Remarkably, these compounds can attract pollinators such as butterflies and bees while serving as a deterrent to pests.
A common misconception is that cannabis strains boasting bold colors are inherently more potent. In reality, the vividness of the hues has no bearing on the potency of the strain.
In fact, cannabis buds that have been cultivated and harvested to their fullest potential can become so densely coated with trichomes that they nearly appear white. These trichomes are rich reservoirs of cannabinoids and terpenes, rendering the flowers highly potent. Strains like White Widow and White Rhino are known for their propensity to become encrusted with trichomes.
Nevertheless, anthocyanins are renowned for their potent antioxidant properties and are also believed to possess analgesic, anti-inflammatory, and neuroprotective attributes. So, while the presence of anthocyanins does not alter the potency in terms of THC levels, it might imbue the strain with an additional entourage effect on health.
It’s worth noting that other plants, such as blackberries, blueberries, raspberries, goji berries, blood oranges, and cranberries, are rich sources of these molecules. Cranberries, in particular, are celebrated for their robust antioxidant content, courtesy of anthocyanins.
A robust and vivid coloration serves as an indicator that your cannabis is at the zenith of freshness, taste, and potency. When consuming your colorful buds orally through tinctures, oils, edibles, or capsules, you can also enjoy the nutritional benefits of carotenoids, anthocyanins, and other flavonoids. But what about the actual color itself? Does it influence the effects? Cannabis offers a kaleidoscope of colors, and indeed, different shades can influence various effects, flavors, and even aromas.
Various captivating colors adorn cannabis, each offering a unique experience:
Red: Red hues are a rarity in cannabis and result from the genetic combination of ruderalis, indica, and sativa strains. These “Red” strains are renowned for their hybrid effects, providing both physical and mental relief, along with an intoxicating aroma.
Pink: Strains like Predator Pink and Pink Kush showcase delightful pink and fuchsia tones. These Indica-dominant hybrids are celebrated for their potent body-focused effects, capable of alleviating pain, insomnia, and appetite loss.
Orange: Carotenoids, brought forth under more alkaline conditions, impart citrusy shades of yellow, gold, and orange to cannabis. Strains like Agent Orange, Orange Crush, and Tangerine Dream boast these hues, offering fragrances reminiscent of freshly cut citrus and uplifting mood-enhancing properties.
Yellow: Carotenoids and flavonoids produce the warm yellow hues seen in plants. Yellow strains like Lemon Haze, Golden Lemon, and Strawberry Banana feature sweet and citrusy scents, coupled with high THC content, believed to deliver joyful, invigorating effects that enhance creativity and sensory awareness.
Green: The dominant color of most flowering plants, including cannabis, is green due to chlorophyll. Strains like Green Crack and Green Goblin maintain green as their primary bud color, offering tangy, fruity flavors and effective daytime use for combating fatigue, stress, and depression.
Blue: Cannabis flowers with blue hues contain anthocyanins, and they are visually stunning. These strains, similar to blueberries, açai, and blackberries, exhibit deep blue shades. Blue cannabis can be obtained by growing specific blue strains outdoors as the temperature drops. Popular strains include Blue Haze, Blue Mystic, and Blue Cheese, known for their Indica characteristics that induce relaxation and provide relief from muscle spasms, pain, and stress.
Indigo: Rare strains almost appearing black trace their genetics back to Vietnamese landraces, like Vietnamese Black. Strains such as Black Willy and Black Tuna feature ebony buds and leaves and deliver intense, psychedelic, cerebral highs, perfect for those seeking vivid visuals.
Violet: Purple strains like Granddaddy Purple, Purple Haze, and Purple Urkle are highly popular. Their purplish or bluish appearance arises from abundant anthocyanins and imparts a fruity essence to these strains. Notably, Purple Orangutan (or Gorilla) showcases intense purple hues and offers a rich aroma of earth and berries, with a grape-like flavor.
The diverse spectrum of cannabis colors brings not only visual beauty but also a range of aromatic profiles and effects, making the plant’s world as intriguing as it is diverse.
