Tangerine Dream: The Citrus Champion
Tangerine Dream: The Citrus Champion
Strain Overview
Type: Sativa-Dominant Hybrid (60% Sativa / 40% Indica)
Breeder: Barney’s Farm
Lineage: G13 x Afghan x Neville’s A5 Haze
Market Status: The "Working Man's Haze"; Tangerine Dream is a modern classic that took the cannabis world by storm when it won the High Times Cannabis Cup in 2010. It achieved something breeders had struggled with for years: it captured the soaring, energetic high of a Haze and the sweet, peel-able flavor of a tangerine, but packaged it in a plant that grows short, yields heavy, and finishes fast. It is widely regarded as one of the best-tasting strains of the last decade.
THC Content: 20% – 25% (Potent & Long-Lasting)
Dominant Terpenes: Myrcene, Limonene, Caryophyllene, Pinene
Key Effects: Euphoric Uplift, Muscle Relaxation, Mental Clarity, Pain Relief
Most citrus strains smell like lemon cleaner. Tangerine Dream smells like actual fruit.
This strain is a masterclass in breeding engineering. Barney’s Farm wanted to create a strain that offered the medicinal benefits of the legendary G13 (pain relief/relaxation) but with the cerebral energy of a Haze. By sandwiching an Afghan Indica between these two giants, they created a hybrid that hits the body and the mind simultaneously, all while tasting like a glass of fresh orange juice.
History and Lineage: The Three-Way Fusion
Tangerine Dream is a complex "Poly-Hybrid" that draws from three distinct gene pools.
The Power (G13): The legendary government strain. It provides the heavy resin production, the pain-killing potency, and the structural density.
The Anchor (Afghan): A pure Indica used to reduce the height and flowering time of the Haze. It adds the sweet, earthy undertones.
The Spark (Neville’s A5 Haze): A rare, old-school Haze cut. It contributes the electric mental high and the sharp citrus terpenes.
The Synthesis: The genius of this cross is that the Indica parents (G13/Afghan) tame the wild growth of the Haze, making Tangerine Dream a Sativa-dominant effect in an Indica-dominant body.
Terpene Profile: Fresh Peels and Berries
The flavor profile is the primary reason this strain is a bestseller. It is complex, layered, and incredibly sweet.
Dominant Terpenes
Myrcene (The Sweetness): Unlike the musky Myrcene of Kushes, here it presents as ripe mango and sweet orange. It softens the sharp citrus notes.
Limonene (The Zest): The engine of the flavor. It provides the distinct tangerine, clementine, and grapefruit aroma.
Caryophyllene (The Spice): A subtle background of clove and pepper that appears on the exhale, likely from the G13 influence.
Flavor Notes:
The Aroma: It is undeniable. It smells of freshly peeled mandarins, tropical berries, and a hint of vanilla.
The Smoke: Smooth and sugary. It tastes of orange popsicles, herbal tea, and sweet spices. It is one of the few strains where the flavor translates perfectly from the smell to the smoke.
Strain Effects: The Functional Euphoria
Tangerine Dream is famous for its "duality"—it relaxes the body while waking up the mind.
The Experience
The Rush: The high hits quickly with a Haze-driven burst of energy. You feel happy, focused, and creative.
The Relief: Almost simultaneously, the G13 genetics get to work on the body. A tingling relaxation spreads through the limbs, easing tension without causing "couch-lock."
The Clarity: Unlike many high-THC strains, it doesn't cloud your thoughts. It leaves you clear-headed and functional, making it excellent for daytime tasks.
The Medical: It is a top-tier strain for muscle spasms and chronic pain because it allows patients to find relief without being sedated.
Best For: Morning wake-and-bake, creative projects, hiking, managing chronic pain during the day, and social anxiety.
Growing Tangerine Dream: The Sativa in Disguise
This is the selling point for indoor growers: it gives you Haze buds without the Haze headache.
Growth Structure
The Height: It grows Medium/Short. Thanks to the Afghan/G13 influence, it rarely stretches out of control (usually staying under 100cm).
The Yield: High. It produces large, heavy colas that require support. It yields significantly more than a traditional Haze.
The Time: It finishes flowering in 9 to 10 weeks (65 days). While not the fastest plant on earth, it is very fast for a Haze hybrid.
The Appearance: The plant is beautiful. In cooler temperatures, the leaves and buds often turn deep purple and red, contrasting sharply with the bright orange pistils.
The Training: It responds very well to topping and SCROG (Sea of Green). The side branches are strong and can support heavy buds.
Grower’s Tip: Don't harvest this one too early. The "Tangerine" flavor really develops in the last 10 days of flowering. If you chop it too soon, it will taste more like generic lemon. Let the trichomes turn milky/amber to unlock the full sweetness.
Final Verdict: The Tasty Medic
Tangerine Dream is a strain that checks every box. It won the Cannabis Cup because it solved a problem: it made the Sativa experience accessible. It offers the energy and flavor of a tropical Haze but grows with the reliability and speed of an Indica. Whether you are a medical patient needing daytime relief or a recreational smoker who loves citrus flavors, this strain is a mandatory try. It is, quite literally, a dream.
You should choose Tangerine Dream if:
You love Orange/Citrus flavors.
You need Pain Relief without sedation.
You have limited height in your grow room.
You want a Happy/Creative high.
Score: 9.6/10 (The Cup Winner)