Humboldt

Where does Humboldt come from?

Humboldt's history is a bit of a mystery. One strain database, which also lists it as Humboldt Kush, says it is believed to come from Afghani genetics, while another database says its origin is unknown. With no breeder named and no agreement on parents, the honest answer is that its lineage is not documented.

The name points to Humboldt County, where many growers have worked for decades. That also means the word Humboldt shows up in many other strain names, like Humboldt OG, a parent of All Gas OG. Those are different strains.

What does Humboldt smell and taste like?

Humboldt smells sweet and floral, with woody and earthy notes underneath. Some descriptions add pine and a nutty side. The flavour is usually described as earthy with floral notes.

We couldn't find any published terpene results for Humboldt, so we've left that blank rather than guess from related strains.

Humboldt effects: what people report

People most often describe Humboldt as giggly, euphoric and uplifted, with a clear head and a social, happy mood. Some reviews say it sits more in the head than the body, though a few mention feeling sleepy later on.

These are experiences people report, not promises. How it feels depends on the product, how much you have and your own tolerance. Dry eyes, dry mouth and dizziness are the common complaints.

How strong is Humboldt?

Few numbers are published for Humboldt. The listing we found puts it at about 16% to 20% THC, with very little CBD, which is moderate by today's standards.

Because the data is thin, the label on your product is the number to trust. Our guide to reading cannabis labels explains what to look for.

Buying Humboldt in Canada

Humboldt is a tricky name to shop for. It appears in many strain and brand names, so a product that says Humboldt might be a different strain entirely. Check the full strain name on the label.

If you find it, look at the THC and CBD numbers and the packaging date, since fresher flower keeps more of its floral smell.

Humboldt vs Afghani

Afghani is the classic heavy indica from the mountains of Afghanistan, and one strain database suggests Humboldt has Afghani genetics, though that isn't confirmed elsewhere. They come across quite differently: Afghani is earthy, hashy and known for a heavy, sleepy body feel, while Humboldt smells sweeter and more floral and is usually called clear-headed and giggly. If you want a deep, relaxing classic, try Afghani. If you want something lighter and more social, Humboldt fits better.

Strains like Humboldt

If you like Humboldt, these are worth a look:

• Afghani: the genetics one strain database suggests are behind it, earthier and heavier.
• All Gas OG: a Northern California strain from Humboldt OG genetics, with a fuel-heavy smell.
• Hindu Kush: a classic Kush with a sweet, earthy smell.
• Northern Lights: an old favourite with Afghani roots and a sweet, piney smell.