ZKITTLES

Zkittles, sometimes also spelled Skittlez or just Skittles, is an indica-dominant hybrid that erupts with fruit flavor. The creation of Northern California-based collective Dying Breed Seeds, this strain is descended from fruity indica favorite Grape Ape and tangy sativa Grapefruit. Skittles combines the mental and physical effects of both parent strains to yield a smooth, multifaceted high. This bud’s appeal was strong enough to earn the title of Best Indica at the 2015 High Times Cannabis Cup held in Michigan. Zkittlez’s THC content has been measured at between 15% and 23%.

Like its namesake, this strain offers you the opportunity to taste the rainbow — but as it turns out Zkittles lets you see a rainbow too. Depending on phenotype, the plant’s thick and chunky flowers appear in a variety of greens and purples, with vibrant orange hairs (or pistils) sprinkled throughout. The eye-catching purple hues are the result of high concentrations of anthocyanin pigments. The trimmed buds have a characteristically indica structure, tight and densely-packed, with smallish leaves. Finally, a dusting of cloudy white trichomes ensures both stickiness and psychoactivity.

Its aroma is where Zkittles really shines. When properly cured, Zkittlez’s flowers give off a kind of sweet-sour funk. A second whiff reveals slightly more distinct notes of berry and lemon. Grinding up the flowers intensifies the strain’s more sour notes, resulting in a kind of skunky character. When combusted in a pipe or joint, the flowers burn with a very pleasant and easily-inhaled smoke. On the exhale, this light smoke tastes fruity and grape-like. Notably, any detectable grape flavors are coincidental to the strain’s purple coloring; this is because the plant’s color are determined by pigmentation., while its flavor profile is determined by terpenes.