Strawberries and Cream: The Berry Parfait
Strawberries and Cream: The Berry Parfait
Strain Overview
Type: Balanced Hybrid (50% Indica / 50% Sativa)
Breeder: Exotic Genetix
Lineage: Strawberry x Cookies and Cream
Market Status: The "Dessert Delight"; Strawberries and Cream is a shining example of truth in advertising. In a market full of abstract names, this strain delivers exactly what it promises on the label. It was bred during the height of the "Cookies and Cream" craze, when Exotic Genetix was looking to add fruit terpenes to their champion resin producer. By crossing a sweet, fruity Strawberry phenotype with their frost-covered Cookies and Cream male, they created a plant that smells like a summer dessert and produces resin like a hash plant.
THC Content: Moderate-High (20% – 25%)
Dominant Terpenes: Myrcene, Caryophyllene, Limonene, Phellandrene
Key Effects: Creative Euphoria, Sensory Enhancement, Functional Relaxation, Mood Elevation
Strawberries and Cream is a treat for the palate.
It represents the softer side of the Exotic Genetix catalog. While strains like Kimbo Kush are built for brute force, Strawberries and Cream is built for pleasure. It offers a sophisticated, layered flavor profile that combines the tart freshness of ripe berries with the smooth, velvety finish of vanilla cream. It is a favorite among concentrate makers because those volatile strawberry terpenes translate beautifully into hash and rosin.
History and Lineage: Fruit Meets Frost
This strain is a marriage of two distinct flavor worlds.
The Mother (Strawberry): The exact origin of the "Strawberry" cut used is often debated (likely a specific phenotype of Strawberry Cough or a pure Strawberry clone), but its contribution is undeniable. It provides the sweet, candy-like fruit terpenes and an uplifting Sativa energy.
The Father (Cookies and Cream): The Exotic Genetix flagship (Starfighter x GSC). As the number one resin donor in their stable, it provides the rock-hard density, the vanilla dough flavor, and the insane trichome coverage.
The Synthesis: The result is a perfect hybrid. The Cookies and Cream tamed the often wild, wispy structure of the Strawberry parent, creating a plant that produces solid, frosty nuggets that still smell like a basket of fresh fruit.
Terpene Profile: Jam and Dough
The terpene profile is the main selling point. It is distinct from the "Gas" or "Purple" strains, offering a bright, sweet aroma.
Dominant Terpenes
Myrcene (The Fruit): The dominant terpene. Here, it doesn't smell musky; it smells intensely of ripe strawberries and red fruit.
Caryophyllene (The Cream): Provides a spicy, creamy background that gives the smoke a full body, mimicking the "dairy" sensation.
Phellandrene (The Freshness): A rarer terpene often found in strawberries and mint, adding a fresh, slightly tart top note.
Flavor Notes:
The Aroma: It is sweet and inviting. It smells of strawberry jam, vanilla bean, and fresh earth.
The Smoke: Smooth and creamy. It tastes of sweet berries, whipped cream, and a hint of spicy hash on the exhale. It is widely considered one of the best-tasting strains for vaping, where the delicate strawberry notes shine.
Strain Effects: The Happy Medium
Strawberries and Cream is a versatile hybrid that fits into almost any part of the day.
The Experience
The Head: The high starts with a Sativa sparkle. You feel happy, creative, and slightly energetic. It is excellent for artistic pursuits or listening to music.
The Body: A gentle warmth spreads through the body, relaxing the muscles without weighing you down. It is not a heavy "couch-lock" strain.
The Social: It is a fantastic social lubricant. It makes you chatty and euphoric, perfect for sharing a joint with friends.
The Balance: It hits the "sweet spot" where you are definitely high, but you can still function, clean the house, or go for a walk.
Best For: Creative hobbies, daytime social events, depression, mild fatigue, and flavor chasing.
Growing Strawberries and Cream: The Frosty Fruit
Growers appreciate this strain because it brings the "Exotic" bag appeal without being overly difficult to manage.
Growth Structure
The Resin: True to its father, it is a resin factory. The buds are coated in a thick layer of trichomes that often makes them look silver/pinkish under the lights.
The Yield: Moderate to High. It yields significantly better than pure Cookie strains. The buds are dense and heavy.
The Colors: It is a beautiful plant. In late flower, the leaves often fade to dark purple and red, contrasting with the bright orange pistils and white frost.
The Height: It grows Medium-Tall. It has vigorous branching and responds well to topping.
The Time: It finishes flowering in 8 to 9 weeks.
Grower’s Tip: To maximize the "Strawberry" terpene expression, focus on organic soil amendments and keep the temperatures slightly cooler in the final weeks. High heat can burn off the delicate fruit esters, leaving you with just a generic creamy smell.
Final Verdict: The Berry Parfait
Strawberries and Cream is a connoisseur's choice. It proves that cannabis doesn't have to be overwhelmingly potent or smell like gasoline to be top-tier. It offers a delightful escape—a smoke that tastes like a summer dessert and leaves you feeling happy, creative, and relaxed. If you are tired of the heavy, sedative OGs and want something bright, flavorful, and fun, this is the treat you deserve.
You should choose Strawberries and Cream if:
You are a Flavor Chaser (Sweet/Fruit).
You want a Balanced High (50/50).
You make Hash/Rosin (High resin).
You want Social Energy.
Score: 9.3/10 (The Flavor Specialist)