Why do some weeds smell like cheese?

Cannabis is a plant, and like any plant, gives off a distinctive scent. But where does the cheesy smell of certain cannabis strains come from, especially Cheese?

The terpenes are once again the solution to all the riddles. These hydrocarbons make up most plants and are responsible for the scent of aromatic herbs and flowers such as lavender. This natural organic compound is basically used to repel insects and other flower-loving animals, or to attract those that are beneficial to them.

But why does a flower smell of cheese?

Cannabis contains close to 200 terpenes, which make it possible to distinguish by smell between Lemon Haze and the’Amnesia. Here, the terpene responsible for the cheese smell is made up of octanoic acid, ethyl butyrate, ethylmethyl acetic acid, hexatonic acid, isovaleranic acid and methyl mercaptan. This mixture, and in particular the volatility of these molecules, determines the cheese odor.

Scientific chapter closed. The variety Cheese is an Indica-dominant hybrid strain created from Skunk, particularly dense and covered with numerous trichomes. A plantation of Cheese seeds will give off a strong, cheesy smell when it blooms.

Leading cannabis brands don't hesitate to mix Cheese with fruitier strains in order to refine taste tasting.

According to the Leafly website, Cheese is the perfect remedy for putting a smile back on your face without getting totally stoned. On the other hand, novices will have to dose themselves appropriately: the ratings site announces that it packs one hell of a wallop. If you're in the Netherlands or in the USA, keep some change to buy yourself a drink, pasty assured.

Théo Caillart