Cannabis Pairings
What are some of your favorite cannabis pairings? Specifically, we’re talking about the best cultivar and food (or drink) pairings that kick your dinner into the next gear. We’re excited to introduce to you our new pairing series, where we’ll be diving deep into the best drink and meal pairings to go along with your favorite cultivars. This week we’ll be exploring the philosophy and methodology behind this craft and how you can begin to explore your own pairings at home. We all know that cannabis can turn even the most random combinations of food into a delicious treat, so what are we looking for with a good pairing? Simply, finding that perfect cultivar that will bring out the best in your dish. For these elevated experiences, we’re looking to compliment or contrast the flavors on the plate with the terpene profile of the cannabis. Consider your dish and the flavors that stand out the most - is it the herb garnish? A citrus-y glaze? Or maybe it’s a little sweet. The goal is to find a cultivar that will highlight and enhance these flavors, either by matching them or opposing them. For example, the limonene in Lemon Haze could prime your taste buds to make a citrusy dish taste like its dancing across your tongue. Alternatively, contrasting a sour cultivar with something sweeter (or vice versa) can help balance both of the flavors perfectly.
In addition to complimentary and contrasting flavors, you can also enrich heavier meals with congruous pairings, these being pairings that have lots of flavors in common with each other. A good example of this type of pairing would be a hearty, heavy umami-flavored dish with an earthy and gassy cultivar, like an OG perhaps.
Another concept to keep in mind is texture. Cannabis naturally enhances our perception of both taste and touch so it’s important to consider how the textures of the meal you’re preparing can compliment or contrast with each other as well. Crunchy, chewy, crispy, smooth, or sticky - play around and find combinations that make the food as delicious as it is fun to eat.
Finally, aroma plays a huge role in our perception of taste. Whenever you’re in doubt about what would go well together, follow your nose. It’s as true in cannabis as it is in fine dining: the nose always knows.
To get the most out of these experiences, you’ll want to hit low temp dabs or vaporize your flower at appropriate temperatures about 5-10 minutes before your meal. This will allow you to taste the full terpene profile and give you just enough time to settle in before you dine.
There is some preliminary research as well that “cold start” dabs and flower vaping could provide a more full-bodied experience, as many terpenes burn off at lower temperatures than even a traditional low temp dab. Just make sure to plan ahead and be careful not to blow your mind as you savor every bite.
