By Luke Sumpter


Few strains have influenced modern cannabis culture like Gelato. A flavourful, cup-winning hybrid coming out of California, Gelato ushered in a new era—one that is still going strong today.

Join us as we discover more about the Gelato weed strain, including its lineage, effects, flavour and aroma profile, THC level, growth structure, and yields. You’ll soon see why this strain has made its mark on dispensary and coffeeshop shelves across the globe!

What Is the Gelato Strain?

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The Gelato strain was originally created by California breeder Mario Guzman (aka Mr Sherbinski), following his success creating another terpene-rich super-strain: Sunset Sherbet. Crossing Sunset Sherbet with the coveted Thin Mint GSC gave rise to something truly special.

Sunset Sherbet is itself a cross of Girl Scout Cookies (OG Kush x Durban Poison x Cherry Pie) and Pink Panties (Burmese Kush x Florida OG), and is famous for its deep purple buds backed by a sweet and citrusy aroma. On the other side of the family tree is Thin Mint Girl Scout Cookies (OG Kush x Durban Poison), an illustrious strain with a balanced effect and sweet notes of freshly baked goods.

Upon crossing these strains, Sherbinski hunted down special phenotypes from a population of Gelato specimens, ultimately settling on several. Among the most popular variations are Gelato #42 and Gelato #33, aka Larry Bird.

Gelato Strain Effects: What to Expect

Gelato weed stands out from the crowd with an effect that perfectly balances cerebral euphoria with a pleasant body buzz.

Euphoric and Uplifting Head High

If you’re looking to boost your mood, motivation, or bring out your inner creative side, look no further than Gelato! It only takes a few puffs to instantly feel uplifted, with waves of euphoria balanced with a happy state of mind.

Relaxing Body Buzz Without Couch-Lock

At the same time, Gelato offers a relaxing body buzz without any couch-lock. This means you can smoke Gelato at any time of day (in moderation) and not worry about feeling tired. That makes Gelato an excellent wake-and-bake choice—without the unwanted lethargy often tied to potent cannabis.

Gelato Strain Flavour and Aroma Profile

An illustration of a man with closed eyes inhaling smoke, surrounded by a cannabis bud and two ice cream cones with cherries, set against a vibrant yellow background with abstract smoke effects, visually exploring the flavour and aroma profile of the Gelato strain cannabis..

The Gelato strain's taste is largely what helped it amass such universal popularity. Let’s find out what makes this flavourful strain so highly sought after.

Sweet, Fruity, and Creamy Notes

On the nose, Gelato exhibits strong notes of candy, creamy berry, citrus, cinnamon, orange, and vanilla with overtones of mint. A few hits reveal a flavour culmination that's sweet, earthy, and herbal.

Common Terpenes in Gelato

The following terpenes are believed to occur most commonly in Gelato phenotypes. Here’s what you can expect from their influence:

  • Caryophyllene — woody, peppery, spicy flavour and aroma. This terpene also acts as a cannabinoid and binds to the CB2 receptors.
  • Myrcene — a relaxing terpene found in mangoes, lemongrass, and hops. It helps with sleep and the chill-out effect that Gelato offers.
  • Limonene — commonly found in citrus fruit peels like lemons and oranges. It possesses a sharp, fresh, and citrusy aroma and invigorating effects.
  • Linalool — produces a floral and spicy aroma. Found in lavender, basil, and coriander, this terpene possesses soothing and relaxing potential.

Gelato 44
23_genetic background_1 Sunset Sherbet X Thin Mint Girl Scout Cookies
33_Yield indoors_1 400 - 450 gr/m2
31_plant height outdoor_1 80 - 120 cm
25_flowering time_1 8 - 9 weeks
29_THC_1 THC: 22%
28_Type Blend_1 Sativa 25% Indica 75%
34_yield outdoor_1 550 - 600 gr/plant
32_plant height outdoors_1 140 - 180 cm
27_harvest period_1 Late September
22_Effect_1 Creative, Euphoric, Long Lasting , Physically Relaxing

Buy Gelato 44

Gelato Strain THC Level and Potency

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Gelato buds typically contain 18–25% THC, making it one of the more potent strains on the modern market. With this in mind, it’s best to proceed slowly, especially if you have a low tolerance. Just a couple hits will be enough to start feeling the euphoric effects.

Experienced users will find Gelato's potency easier to handle; however, it's still advised to enjoy this strain in moderation.

Is Gelato an Indica or Sativa?

Gelato is classed as an indica-dominant hybrid with a typical genetic split of 56% indica and 44% sativa. This close balance is reflected in Gelato’s fast, vigorous growth and balanced effects. She will not have you sprawled out on the floor or falling asleep mid-day, and she contains the perfect mix of cerebral and physical effects.

Gelato Strain Appearance and Grow Information

An illustration of cannabis buds with an ice cream cone and a blue arch, set against a yellow background, exploring the appearance and grow information of the Gelato strain.

Gelato seeds develop into medium-sized plants—around 100–200 cm depending on the environment—with dense foliage. The flowers are stunning, blending bright green with flecks of purple and covered in orange pistils and sticky trichomes. The last point makes it ideal for creating extracts.

Indoor yields range between 500–600 g/m², while outdoor yields max out at 600–650 g/plant. With a flowering time of 65–70 days (October harvest outdoors), Gelato doesn't require too much time to mature her aromatic buds.

Gelato Strain Variations and Phenotypes

Below is an explanation of the different Gelato phenotypes and how they differ:

  • Gelato #33: Aka Larry Bird, this fruity indica-dominant phenotype (80% indica/20% sativa) has a flowering time of 8–9 weeks and potential yields of 500 g/m².
  • Gelato #41: Aka Bacio Gelato, this sativa-dominant phenotype (60% sativa/40% indica) contains 29% THC and a flowering time of just 55–65 days.
  • Gelato #42: Aka Dolce Gelato, this indica-leaning hybrid (60% indica/40% sativa) contains 20–25% THC, a mellow, uplifting effect, and a flowering time of 56–70 days.
  • Gelato #45: This indica-dominant phenotype (60% indica/40% sativa) exhibits an earthy-sweet flavour profile and takes 56–70 days to complete flowering.

Similar Strains to Gelato You Might Enjoy

If you’ve already tried Gelato and are a connoisseur of exotic new-school hybrids, you should also seek out the likes of Cereal Milk, Kush Mints, Biscotti, Runtz, and Ice Cream Cake.

Final Thoughts on the Gelato Strain

One for fans of flavour and balanced effects, Gelato has managed to remain popular since its initial release. With multiple phenotypes offering unique but complementary experiences, there’s a whole world of Gelato strains out there for you to explore—so browse our collection to find your perfect fit.

FAQ

What Is Gelato Weed?
Gelato is a cross of Sunset Sherbet and Thin Mint Cookie GSC, created by Californian breeder Mr. Sherbinski (Mario Guzman).
What Is the Gelato Strain Good For?
Gelato is perfect for morning and daytime consumption, providing an upbeat, focused effect without any adverse side effects such as couch-lock.
Does the Gelato Strain Give You Munchies?
You bet! Thanks to its high THC level and alluring terpenes, this strain is known to activate your sweet tooth.
What Does Gelato Taste Like?
The Gelato weed strain has a complex flavour profile with notes such as candy, berry, citrus, cinnamon, orange, creamy vanilla, and mint.
Is Gelato a Good Strain for Beginners?
Gelato is great for beginner growers looking to cultivate photoperiod feminized strains. For an even easier ride, autoflowering versions of Gelato may be more suitable.