Gelato strains in cannabis are an interesting case study on how macro socioeconomic trends can impact the modern retail cannabis scene and the guided genetic evolution of a phenotype over time.
When it comes to Gelatos, yours truly is a big fan, and I often use the cultivar as a pre-sorting lens when trying to zero in on a good flower at a new dispensary, in a new state, where I can’t make selections based solely on farm reputation.
Which is what narrowed me in on the review today: Watermelon Gelato, a cross of Gelato #45 and “Watermelon Z”, aka Watermelon Zkittlez.
Gelatos in general are a pretty safe bet at the dispo as they consistently deliver on both flavor and effect, a genetic expression that nicely balances earth, dessert, and sometimes a bit of gas and/or candy profile.
While some of you may claim to be “Gelato’d out”, just like some people get “Trop’d out” or “Runtz’d out”, I, however, seem to be able to burn down Gelatos without them ever getting old or stale to my palate.
While I may be impervious to overconsuming Gelato or Trop, I can definitely smoke too much Durban, even though I love it. Taking a few months off any given strain is usually enough to re-ignite some passion.
But Gelato has enjoyed a lasting hold over my lungs (and the recreational market in general) for some time, perhaps hitting an all-time affinity in 2020 when Juice WRLD’s Stay High was released.
“Takin’ Gelato to the head, smoked the pount myself” sounds about apt when I get a great cut, which I would categorize as the Watermelon Gelato grown by the one and only Deep Creek Gardens.
If you haven’t smoked Gelato in a while, this Watermelon variant might be worth reacquainting yourself with this modern spin on these classic Gelato genetics.
When I saw Northwest Cannabis Company had this Watermelon version, I knew I had to have it. Watermelon generally imparts increased sweetness and light melony layers, which sounded like a perfect twist on the already deep-floral Gelato hallmarks I’ve come to know and love.
Being a cross of legendary Gelato #45 and candy hype queen Watermelon Zkittles, and if you think that sounds like one heck of a tasty treat, well, you’re absolutely fucking correct.
Appearance: Modest Yet Hypnotizing Depth
These buds are on the smaller side of medium, typical of what I’ve personally seen with most of my Gelatos; behemoths they are not. And that’s fine. Genetics, cultivation technique, and harvest dates matter far more than size in my book.
I’ve smoked a ton of fantastic flower in the smallish-medium size range. If anything, I would say the smaller buds sometimes hold their moisture content better than the big ones, but that’s just an observation, not a rule.
Colorwise, these Watermelon Gelato nugs are relatively modest in their military-grade soft green and dusty graphite-tinged purples. While not eye-opening, the hues have a hypnotizing depth that draws your eye to them on the shelf.
There’s plenty of intrigue being teased here, but you won’t have the wildest-looking sac on the table if all you’re doing is comparing bag notes with your homies.
That’s until you open your bag and find an entire greenhouse’s worth of sugary floral gas and dark berry gelato notes permeating the air around you.
Smell: Naturally Sweetened Hampton’s Weed
Getting to stick your nose into a jar with multiple ounces of Watermelon Gelato makes me so damn thankful to live in a dispensary-style state where such pleasures are legal. Pre-packaged states don’t know what they’re missing, and it’s a travesty.
I’m sure you’ll be getting a similar, albeit smaller, experience with your prepackaged Watermelon Gelato, too. Just try to get it as freshly harvested as possible, because the terp-ladden nose is a big part of the experience here.
I suspect the standout nature of this cultivar’s mesmerizing scent stems from the presence of a variety of unique, likely highly volatile, terpenes, esters, and/or cannaflavins.
Because with the Gelato #45 parent, you get that potent Gelato smell as the appetizer, with the Watermelon Zkittles coming in to sweeten thing sup further, a fruity delicacy in her own right.
If you’re looking for pure, refined-sugar candy sweetness, this isn’t it. It’s more layered, floral, and eloquent in its olfactory stimulation. It coats your mouth in a silky-smooth way that you savor, like a fine tawny port rather than a younger ruby or similarly sweet dessert wine.
Sensation: It’s Time To Check In On Yourself
Generally speaking, I find that brighter, fruitier strains correspond with a more lighthearted, laugh-filled experiences for me, whereas OGs push me more into calmer, more contemplative states.
Interestingly, Watermelon Gelato seemed to loosen up a rather large cascade of emotions. No matter what song I selected to jam out to, I keep finding myself having to stop to feel strong emotions, at times even tearing up.
Whether it was Juice WRLD crying out for help in Wishing Well or BTS’s cutting voice in Dream Glow, the emotional response was strong, forcing me to embrace the moment and feel it for what it was instead of fighting it.
This is definitely a unique sensation to have while stoned, at least for me, and that’s pretty neat.
Finally Portugal. The Man comes on with their track “Dummy”, and I’m brought back to the task at hand, wrapping up this goddamn review.
When lighting up it took me a moment to find the watermelon because the inhale’s smoothness is kind of distracting. It’s just so silky and moist, inevitably due to Deep Creeks caring cultivation and curing.
It’s wild to smoke something this smooth yet so potent, given this is allegedly tested at 33.32% THC and .11% CBD.
There is often a correlation between super-resinous strains and how “spicy” they are on my throat; at least that’s my perception.
And that’s not a negative. We all need a little spice in our lives, and if it comes with a more powerful impact, I’m down. I also enjoy the heat of straight bourbon.
Thankfully, nothing gets hot enough to start any fires because the Watermelon Z steps up big here, dousing the entire experience with cool, watery comfort. It’s so smooth you can smoke it at any time of day, all day, if you want to.
Finding a potent smoke that burns this light and goes down this easily is a pretty special combination, like skinny powerlifters that can snatch more than you bench.
Summary: As Tasty As She Sounds
Cookies is a lamp to the moths of internet hate, but there is no denying the force of nature that Sherbinski’s Gelato genetics have been in the industry, across brands and cultivators.
The introduction of the Watermelon Zkittles to the Sherblato party, a cool TikTok-era megastar in its own right, is a nuanced approach to subtly tweaking the Gelato profile toward a lighter, sweeter, more floral experience.
If you’re a big Gelato fan and want more fun experiences, I highly recommend Stuffed Cherry Gelato (a more classic cherry-soda pastry riff on Gelato) and Jet Fuel Gelato (a very gasy, high-octane cross).
Whilst the flavor is most definitely in the “refreshing treat you can peep all day long” category, it’s the intensely woven bouquet of scent you get up front and, I guess, the soul-soothing effect out back that make this a phenom.
Watermelon Gelato is a welcome addition to the market, bringing its own Gelato spin to the party just in time for summer.
Buy Watermelon Gelato if you’re a flavor chaser, sniffmaster, and/or enjoy a dash of emotional therapeutic effect once in a while. If you’re on the fence, go for it; she’s a lovely smoke that weaves flavor and potency into a deep tapestry of a stoned experience.
I really hope the market responds, and it lasts, because it would make one hell of a daily driver. I can ball vape or smoke Watermelon Gelato continuously for hours without getting sick of it; the experience stacks like Lego.
Watermelon. Lego. Gelato. What’s not to love?
