Everyone has their favorite flavors. Sometimes, it’s as simple as orange or strawberry. Other times, it’s more exotic flavors like mango or rosemary. And then, there are the banana-flavor lovers. These are the people that pick the bananas out of their handful of hard candy to save them for last. They add bananas to smoothies, brownies, cookies, and more. They can’t eat a jar of overnight oats without a few slices of banana in them. You get the point. Some people love banana flavor, and some of those people are cannabis enthusiasts too.

Not surprisingly, there are strains of marijuana that smell and taste just like banana. These strains are a fun addition to summer parties, and a great transition from cold winter blues to bright summer vibes.

Marijuana strains owe their intense flavors and aromas to terpenes. Terpenes are little compounds found in the trichomes of the cannabis plant. Trichomes also contain the cannabinoids, like THC and CBD, that marijuana is so popular for.

Most banana-flavored strains seem to have limonene as a primary terpene, which is followed by caryophyllene and myrcene. The terpene make up, however, of each strain is unique. This means that the flavor and scent of your marijuana all comes down to how those terpenes work together. Growers who are interested in preserving a certain flavor or aroma will look for strains with similar scents and tastes and pair them together in the hopes that they produce another strain with the characteristics of their parents.

If you go bananas for banana-flavored things, and you enjoy consuming cannabis, you’re going to want to give these strains a try. They’ll be sure to give you that banana-flavored kick you're looking for.

Hybrid

To get Apples and Bananas, growers had to build a family tree. First, they bred Platinum Cookies with Grandaddy Purple. The plant that came from that cross was bred with Blue Power. Those plants’ offspring were bred with Gelatti. The result? A fruity-delicious hybrid known as Apples and Bananas. Just go slow with this strain: it packs an unbelievable 28.5% THC.

Indica-Leaning Hybrid

An indica-leaning hybrid, Bananas is a cross between Banana and OG Kush. While it definitely tastes like bananas, some people report that there’s a bit of a spicy note to it too, so if you’re a banana purist, this may not be the right strain for you. Bananas also has a THC level of anywhere from 23-27%, so be sure to start slow, and with a low dose, when first enjoying this strain. 

Indica-Dominant Hybrid

You wouldn’t think that crossing Ghost OG with Skunk Haze would give you the banana-flavored Banana Kush, but you’d be wrong. It smells like the banana section at the grocery store. Like the other strains on this list, Banana Kush is potent at 20% THC, so be careful it doesn’t sneak up on you. 

Hybrid

Packing a whopping 22% THC, this hybrid strain smells and tastes like fresh, sun-ripened bananas. Its flowers are even reminiscent of bananas, with yellow hairs decorating the bud which grows in a long, cylindrical shape. Go slow with this one because of its potency.

Indica-Dominant Hybrid

This hybrid is a cross between Tangie and Banana Kush, and it's said to taste like a pina colada. You note the banana, but you also can taste the citrusy, fruity undertones of other terpenes in this strain. It’s the perfect summer strain for get togethers with friends, but it does have 22% THC, so enjoy it carefully.

You may think banana-flavored cannabis is a bit unique, so we’ve put together a few commonly asked questions to help you decide if you want to try it.

Are banana-flavored cannabis strains common? 
As with nearly all cannabis strains, it depends on demand and inventory at your local dispensary. If it’s a rare (za-za) strain is going to be more difficult to find, so be sure to check dispensary menus near you to see what’s available.

What are the best banana-flavored cannabis strains? 
Banana Kush, Banana OG, and the others on our list are just a few we recommend. However, deciding what strain is “the best” is always up to the individual cannabis consumer.

What terpene is banana? 
While there isn’t a specific banana terpene, most banana-flavored strains do have a few in common–specifically limonene, caryophyllene, and myrcene.

Next time you’re craving banana flavor, look for some of the many cannabis strains available today. If it has “banana” in the name, you’re pretty safe in your purchase, but if you have questions, there are always experts on staff at your local dispensary that can help you get the right tropical-flavored strain for you.