Chocolate Kush is an indica-leaning hybrid marked by its sweet, dessert-like aroma. It was created by Spanish company 00 Seeds, who have stabilized strains like White Widow and Bubble Gum. This strain is a cross between pure indica Mazar and Sensi Star — these two combine to create a hybrid with serious bag appeal. Chocolate Kush’s potency has been measured at between 14% and 28% THC.

Flowers of Chocolate Kush are only small to medium in size and cling together in dense, popcorn-like formations. The buds have the solid, heavy structure typically associated with indicas. The tightly-curled leaves are a mossy shade of green and are shot through with curly orange hairs — which are actually pistils, intended to catch pollen from fertilizing male plants. Occasionally, phenotypes of Chocolate Kush also boast faint shades of purple in their leaves; these surprising hues are the result of pigments called anthocyanins in the plants’ genetics which reveal patches of blue and purple when agitated by cold weather during the growing process. Finally, a fine frost of trichomes cover these buds, accounting for their psychoactivity and making them appear more white than green.

When properly cured, flowers of Chocolate Kush impress consumers with a dynamic, full-bodied aroma. The primary scent is of sweet, rich cocoa. This chocolatey profile mingles with the dank scent of damp soil to yield an overall earthy impression. When combusted, Chocolate Kush burns with a smooth, palatable smoke; this smoke tastes herbal on the exhale, with a toasted coffee flavor. Notably, despite its purple hues, Chocolate Kush has no discernible notes of grape — this is because the strain’s vivid coloring is determined by pigments while its flavor is dictated by separate chemical compounds called terpenes.

Chocolate Kush’s high has a slow, easy onset that makes it a user-friendly option for cannabis newcomers. Bracing and energizing at first, this strain confers an upbeat feeling that may elevate the smoker’s mood. It may also provoke an increase in thoughtfulness, allowing smokers to work on any tasks at hand with a clear head and deliberate intent. If you’re planning to accomplish work when enjoying Chocolate Kush, though, try and finish up quickly; within an hour or so, smokers typically slide into a thorough feeling of physical relaxation. Limbs may feel heavier as breathing happens more easily and any muscular tension evaporates. In high enough doses, Chocolate Kush may even induce a deep, restful sleep. This flavorful strain is best enjoyed during the late afternoon or early evening, when its gradual steps down from energy into relaxation can be fully savored; if used before bed, it may leave users too hyper-alert. Note that drymouth is commonly reported as a negative side effect.

Chocolate Kush may also have application for medical cannabis patients as well. Its sedative effects may relieve pain, whether temporary, as due to injury, or chronic, as due to conditions like fibromyalgia or arthritis. Furthermore, it can have anti-inflammatory effects for soothing headaches or nausea. Psychologically speaking, this bud may also provide temporary relief from mild to moderate stress or depression. Although cerebral, Chocolate Kush does not typically bring about intense, paranoid thinking; as such, it is recommended for those who are prone to panic or who have a low tolerance for THC.

00 Seeds has made seeds of Chocolate Kush available for sale online. Once obtained, it can be grown indoors or out, although outdoor growing calls for a semi-humid, Mediterranean-like climate. The plants have a triangular silhouette when fully grown and, depending on whether they’re cultivated indoor or outdoors, can grow to between 3 and 8 feet tall. Growers looking to bring out Chocolate Kush’s full purple potential should expose their crops to cold (but not freezing) nighttime temperatures late in the vegetative stage. This strain flowers within 8 to 9 weeks when grown indoors and is ready for harvest in early October when grown outdoors. It offers a modest yield of about 33 to 37 grams (1.1 to 1.3 ounces) of flower per square foot of plant.

Chocolate Kush is well-suited to solo introspective use, as well as boisterous social smoking. Whatever the setting, it’s just the thing for winding down after a long day or week.