Candy Store: The Trichome Boutique
Candy Store: The Trichome Boutique
Strain Overview
Type: Hybrid (50% Sativa / 50% Indica)
Breeder: Ethos Genetics (Colin Gordon)
Lineage: Lemon Berry Candy OG x Ethos Cookies #16
Market Status: The "Bag Appeal King"; Candy Store (often released as the R1) is widely considered one of the most photogenic strains in modern cannabis. It was bred to be a "total package" plant—combining the loud, sugary terpenes of the Lemon Berry Candy OG with the structural perfection and resin density of the Ethos Cookies. It is famous for producing "railroad tracks" of trichomes (rows of resin on the leaf edges) and offering a balanced high that hits the sweet spot between cerebral energy and physical relaxation.
THC Content: High to Very High (24% – 29%)
Dominant Terpenes: Caryophyllene, Limonene, Humulene, Myrcene
Key Effects: Balanced Euphoria, "Happy" Relaxation, Mental Clarity, Physical Comfort
Candy Store is a strain that looks as good as it tastes.
It lives up to its name, offering a complex bouquet that smells like walking into a confectionery. It mixes tart berries, sweet floral notes, and spicy cookie dough. It is a plant that demands to be photographed, producing flowers that are so frosty they look almost grey or silver under the grow lights.
History and Lineage: Flavor Meets Frost
This strain is a deliberate attempt to capture the high-pitched flavor of a Sativa in the rock-hard body of an Indica.
The Mother (Lemon Berry Candy OG): The flavor engine. As detailed in previous reviews, this parent brings the loud pink lemonade and sweet tart profile. It provides the "Candy" aspect of the name and the vigorous growth.
The Father (Ethos Cookies #16): The structure king. This specific phenotype of Ethos Cookies was selected for its short internodes, massive bracts, and extreme resin production. It tightens up the loose structure of the mother and adds a savory, spicy backbone.
The Synthesis: Candy Store is a true 50/50 hybrid. It retains the intense fruitiness of the mother but presents it on a plant that yields heavy, dense nuggets that are easy to trim and beautiful to behold.
Terpene Profile: Berries and Sandalwood
The aroma of Candy Store is sophisticated. It isn't just "sweet"; it has layers of earth and spice that make it interesting.
Dominant Terpenes
Caryophyllene (The Spice): The dominant terpene. It bridges the gap between the two parents, providing a baked cookie and black pepper base that grounds the sweetness.
Limonene (The Citrus): Adds a bright berry lemonade note. It is the "top note" that hits the nose first.
Humulene (The Floral): A distinct characteristic of this strain. It adds a woody, earthy, and floral aroma, reminiscent of sandalwood incense or dried hops.
Flavor Notes:
The Aroma: It is pungent and sweet. It smells of candied berries, sandalwood incense, floral perfume, and gasoline.
The Smoke: Rich and creamy. It tastes of sweet tart candy and earth on the inhale, with a spicy floral finish on the exhale.
Strain Effects: The Middle Path
Candy Store offers a "Hybrid" high in the truest sense. It doesn't pull too hard in either direction.
The Experience
The Onset: The high begins with a gentle cerebral lift. It clears the fog and improves mood without causing a racy heart rate.
The Middle: A wave of physical relaxation washes over the body. It releases tension in the shoulders and back but leaves you functional enough to move around.
The Vibe: It is a "Lazy Sunday" strain. It is perfect for gaming, watching movies, or hanging out in the backyard. You feel happy, comfortable, and stress-free.
The Duration: It has great staying power. The high THC content ensures the effects last for several hours.
Best For: Afternoon relaxation, muscle tension, mood swings, mild pain, and stress relief.
Growing Candy Store: The Manicurist's Dream
This strain is a favorite among trimmers and commercial growers because of its structure.
Growth Structure
The Leaf Ratio: Low. This is a major selling point. The plant produces very few water leaves within the buds. The sugar leaves are sparse and covered in resin, making it incredibly fast to trim.
The Vigor: High. It grows with thick, sturdy stems that can support the weight of the large flowers.
The Yield: Huge. It produces massive, chunky colas. It is a heavy feeder and will reward you with weight if you push the nutrients.
The Frost: Elite. The trichomes are large and abundant, making it an excellent candidate for dry sift or hash making.
The Time: It finishes flowering in 8 to 9 weeks.
Grower’s Tip: Candy Store can get quite large. Top early to create a multi-topped bush. It is resistant to stress and handles high light intensity well. Because the buds are so dense, keep humidity low in the final weeks to prevent mold.
Similar Strains / Lineage Relations
If you enjoy the profile or growth of Candy Store, you might also appreciate these three genetically related or similar strains:
Lemon Berry Candy OG: The Mother.
Why: If you love the "Candy" flavor but want a racier, more energetic Sativa high, go with the mother. It has a looser bud structure and a sharper lemon zest profile compared to the earthy balance of Candy Store.
XXX: The Half-Sibling.
Why: Both strains share the Lemon Berry Candy OG mother. Choose XXX if you want a heavier, "smacked" sensation and a profile that leans more into "Lemon/Chemical" rather than the "Berry/Sandalwood" of Candy Store.
Ethos Cookies: The Father.
Why: If you prefer the savory, doughy, and gas profile without the fruitiness, the Ethos Cookies father is the way to go. It offers the same rock-hard density and resin production but with a heavier, more narcotic Indica stone.
Final Verdict: The Trichome Boutique
Candy Store is a strain that checks every box. It yields heavy, trims easy, smells delicious, and gets you stoned. It represents the perfect stabilization of its parents—taking the best flavors from the Sativa side and the best structure from the Indica side. If you want a jar of weed that looks like it belongs on the cover of a magazine, this is the one to grow.
You should choose Candy Store if:
You love Berry/Floral/Cookie flavors.
You hate Trimming (Low Leaf Ratio).
You want a Balanced Hybrid High.
You want Bag Appeal (Extreme Frost).
Score: 9.7/10 (The Total Package)