Even if you’ve never tried a Gelato strain, you’ve probably heard of it. Though the original Gelato strain is known by various names, including “Larry Bird,” “Zelato,” or “Gelato 42,” its variant—Gelato 41—can be a top choice for kicking back and relaxing with friends or adding to your medical marijuana stock. A descendant of the famous Cookies family of strains, Gelato 41 quickly rose to fame when it hit the cannabis scene. Though there’s no such thing as a “perfect strain,” for many people, it’s about as close as it gets.
But where did it come from, and what does it taste like? Learn about this powerhouse strain, its unique terpene profile, and where you can score quality Gelato 41 for your pipes, bongs, and joints. Be warned: by the end of this post, you may be battling some serious Gelato cravings.
What Strain Is Gelato 41?
A strain’s characteristics reflect its parent strains and the unique variables that went into its cultivation. Gelato 41 is no different. The strain was created by crossing Sunset Sherbet and Thin Mint Girl Scout Cookies, each a breakout star in their own right from the early 2010s’ West Coast cannabis scene. Gelato 41, by comparison, is only minimally different and has picked up unique attributes from both.
- Sunset Sherbet: Sometimes spelled “Sherbert”—can deliver a powerful body high. Combined with a blast of cerebral stimulation described by some as being “carefree,” it’s an appealing combination that won legions of fans long before it became a parent strain of Gelato 41. Its creamy, sweet, fruit-scented aromas and flavors don’t hurt, either.
- Thin Mint Cookies: A phenotype of the justifiably legendary GSC (Girl Scout Cookies) family, its sweet, minty scent is a giveaway of its name. But of course, it’s those classic effects that most feel—the balance of relaxing body high with mental stimulation and spark—that is the true sign of its mainstay.
At Mission, one reason we choose to work with top cultivators and processors is to ensure we’re sourcing the best cannabis we possibly can. One strain we’ve gone out of our way to find is Gelato 41. Known for being deeply relaxing and calming for most who partake, Gelato 41 may leave you feeling centered and present.
Is Gelato 41 an Indica or Sativa?
In the cannabis world, there’s some real debate over the accuracy of the terms “indica” and “sativa.” However, due to ease of understanding, we still use them when applicable, as we believe they can offer clarity to our customers. With that in mind, the Gelato 41 strain is classified as a slightly indica-dominant hybrid, with roughly 55% of its genetics tipping over into the indica camp.
Traditionally speaking, indicas are associated with an enveloping body-centered high and may be great for wiping away discomfort and stress. Sativas, on the other hand, are associated with a stimulating cerebral “buzz” that could be perfect for sparking creativity and uplifting mood.
Aromas, Flavors, and Appearance
Given what you already know about its lineage, you’d be right to assume that Gelato 41 exhibits similar fruity, creamy, and notably sweet flavors and aromas. As with all strains, this largely comes down to its dominant terpenes, the aromatic compounds that serve multiple functions in the cannabis plant. Gelato 41 mainly contains:
- Caryophyllene: Peppery and spicy, this terpene can also be found in black pepper, hops and sage. It’s also been booted for its potential anti-inflammatory effects—arguably over and above those imparted by THC and CBD.
- Limonene: Imparts scents of citrus and lemon flavors. In addition to its natural mood-boosting effects, it has the potential to mitigate the anxiety sometimes associated with an excess of THC.
- Myrcene: A fruity and sweet terpene, myrcene may deliver relief to those suffering with osteoarthritis and other inflammatory issues.
What about the flower itself? Notably beautiful, Gelato 41 produces hues ranging from bright, limey green to purple. The strain is also known to produce an abundance of bright orange pistils, the “hairs” that coat top-quality flower that’s been carefully cultivated and handled.
How Strong Is the Gelato 41 Strain?
Given its fame, you might expect Gelato 41 to be packing a punch in terms of potency, and with an average THC level of 21%, it is indeed a potent smoke. If you’re a newcomer to the strain, we recommend taking it easy and starting slow. Regardless of their level of experience, we remind all of our customers to start low and go slow. You can always have more cannabis, but you can’t have less!
Strains Similar to Gelato 41
What happens if you’re searching your favorite Illinois and Massachusetts dispensaries but can’t find Gelato 41? Is there anything else similar to it? Yes!
Given that the whole Gelato family is directly descended from the world-famous Cookies family of strains—most notably GSC—you actually have an impressive number of choices if you’re out of luck getting actual Gelato 41. Here are a few of the most popular strains from that family:
- GSC (Girl Scout Cookies): A cannabis legend, this strain was created by crossing OG Kush with F1 Durban to produce a potent hybrid that’s stood the test of time.
- Thin Mint (aka Thin Mint Girl Scout Cookies): A true powerhouse of a strain, this mint-scented hybrid is beloved for its reported ability to knock out tough symptoms and impart a lasting, memorable euphoria.
- Platinum GSC: An evenly split hybrid strain, this “deluxe” version of GSC boasts a range of delectable flavors, ranging from toasted maple sugar to chocolate, mint, and lemongrass.
No Gelato 41? No problem. Look for these strains instead, or consider other strains that descend from the original Gelato, such as Gelato 3, Gelato 33, and Gelato 45.
Best Practices for Growing Gelato 41
Sorry, home grow newbies—according to most sources, Gelato 41 isn’t a great choice for inexperienced growers. Producing medium-sized yields under the best of circumstances, this strain demands careful light management and a high-quality, well-draining, and organic soil medium to bring it to full fruition.
Additionally, the strain’s slightly indica-dominant nature is on full display during the growing cycle, meaning that it produces somewhat short, stocky plants that require careful pruning to increase airflow and avoid opportunities for fungus to grow.
That said, Gelato is reasonably tolerant of pests and disease, and its short flowering time—roughly 7 to 9 weeks—allows growers to enjoy a relatively quick turnaround from planting to harvest.
Shop Mission for Premium Gelato 41
With such famous parent strains as Sunset Sherbet and Thin Mint Cookies, it’s no wonder Gelato 41 is as wildly popular as it is. It’s a classic hybrid strain that’s only grown in popularity since its introduction roughly a decade ago, mostly due to its reportedly intense blend of calming body effects and a stimulating blast of cerebral energy.
Spark up Gelato 41 and you’ll be rewarded by a burst of creamy, sweet and floral flavors. With an average THC level in the 21% range, it’s no wonder some medical cannabis fans trust it to knock down chronic pain, stress, anxiety, and other nagging symptoms.
We hope this post stoked your curiosity about Gelato 41 and other unique cannabis strains like it—so why not dive deeper? Visit our Cannabis Blog, where you’ll find reviews of other top-shelf strains like:
- Super Lemon Haze
- Runtz Cake
- OG Kush
- And more!
You can even learn more about the art of cannabis cultivation and how these strains make it to our dispensary shelves.
And if you suddenly find yourself craving a certain sweet, fruit-scented strain, we can help! Start by choosing the Mission dispensary closest to you to find a huge selection of quality cannabis products. While we try to keep Gelato 41 in stock, our menus are always changing depending on what’s freshest that week. Stop in today to explore an array of fresh-grown flower, tasty edibles, concentrates, and more. See you soon!
