Chocolate Diesel is an inventive strain that combines pungent favorite Sour Diesel and landrace-descended Chocolate Thai. This sativa-dominant hybrid mixes the wide-ranging influences of its parent strains to offer a high-flying, energetic experience. Chocolate Diesel also has a complex, multi-layered aroma that’s surprisingly pleasant and sweet. Luckily, though, this bud is more than just a novelty that sacrifices potency for flavor — its THC content has been measured at between 13% and 23%.

Chocolate Diesel is marked by small to medium-sized flowers that adhere to roughly circular shapes. Despite sativa genetics, these buds have a more indica-inflected appearance, with the densely-packed leaves creating a solid nugget. The coiled leaves are a dark shade of forest green and are run through with curly orange hairs — which are actually pistils, botanical structures meant to catch pollen from fertilizing male plants in the wild. Finally, these flowers are covered in translucent white trichomes that give the flowers an icy sheen when seen from afar.

When properly cured, Chocolate Diesel has an aroma that mixes gasoline-like fumes with a whiff of fresh pine. There are also some musky, hashy notes hanging underneath. Grinding up the tight buds gives off a faintly astringent chemical odor, a testament to the influence of Chemdawg in parent strain Sour Diesel’s lineage. As with other strains in the diesel family, Chocolate Diesel gives off a sour, acrid smoke that can make eyes water when it’s combusted in a pipe or a joint.

This harsh smoke mixes flavors of cocoa and diesel on the exhale.

Chocolate Diesel’s high hits quickly, filling the smoker’s tanks with a buzzy energy that’s hard to deny. At first, consumers may feel a concerted pressure around the eyes and temples. Once they grow accustomed to this odd sensation, they typically sense a change in their cognitive patterns. Thoughts may appear unbidden and then jump around from one to the next in free association. Similarly, some concepts may take on a new significance that can be hard to recreate or recall when the smoker is sober again. This kind of cerebral thinking is good for working through complicated analytical tasks, as well as for opening up barriers to creativity.

Chocolate Diesel’s stimulation is more than just mental — it can provide a distinct “get-up-and-go” physical energy as well. This buzzy effect, along with Chocolate Diesel’s ever-present mental chatter makes it a great accompaniment to mundane jobs like cleaning or grocery shopping. The strain’s energy and uplifting qualities also make it a good way to enhance social situations. It can spark conversation and camaraderie when shared with like-minded friends. With relatively few sedative effects, Chocolate Diesel is not likely to lay users out flat with laziness or drowsiness. Instead, it can be a good strain to enjoy with a cup of coffee as a wake-and-bake treat; if consumed before bed, Chocolate Diesel is certain to keep smokers awake and wired.

Chocolate Diesel can also have wide-ranging benefits for medical cannabis patients. Its clear-headed sense of focus can aid concentration for those with attention deficit disorders. Its generally carefree and upbeat mood can also temporarily alleviate the symptoms of mild to moderate stress and depression. Physiologically speaking, Chocolate Diesel’s anti-inflammatory properties can effective in numbing everyday irritations like headaches and indigestion. Because the cerebral “mindrace” that comes with its onset can be overwhelming for some, Chocolate Diesel is not recommended for patients who are prone to panic or who have a low tolerance for THC.

Chocolate Diesel’s fast-paced, euphoric effects can be a great way to enliven a mellow party. If you do bring this tasty bud out in public, be sure to bring enough, as its unique aroma is sure to attract some attention.