As you’re planning an intimate evening with your romantic or platonic loved ones, consider skipping the roses and purchasing a different type of flower: cannabis! This famous plant is packed with flavors and aromas that can add to a variety of culinary experiences. Explore what makes cannabis very similar to wine and cheese with our guide below.

You may be asking yourself why you’d have cheese with your cannabis – shouldn’t you stick with the classic wine and cheese pairing? Cannabis and wine have more in common than you may think. In fact, descriptions of cannabis strains - origin, genetics, flavor profile - are very similar to descriptions of a bottle of wine. Why? Because many of the tastes and smells associated with marijuana and grapes come from terpenes...and sometimes from the same terpenes! For example, Lavender Kush is a strain heavy in linalool, a terpene that gives lavender its unique smell. Linalool is also found in sweet, white wines like Riesling and Muscat. 

So if you want to get creative with your marijuana consumption, here’s our guide to pairing cannabis flower with cheese.  

Ricotta cheese is a fan favorite, known for its smooth and creamy texture. It’s light and airy flavors mix well with stronger profiles, which is why you’ll often find it paired with citrusy ingredients and dishes. That’s where Super Lemon Haze comes in. 

Super Lemon Haze is an award-winning, sativa-dominant strain created by crossing Lemon Skunk with Super Silver Haze. This cultivar is heavy in limonene, a terpene that is also found in citrus rinds. The slight sweetness of the ricotta cheese and the tart and zesty flavors of the Super Lemon Haze will combine nicely into a lemoney treat.  

A search for “goat cheese and lavender” will yield dozens of mouth-watering photos and easy-to-make recipes. Why? The combination creates a sweet and earthy flavor profile that can be served with anything – from crackers and bread to salad and fresh fruit.

Lavender Kush is a floral yet spicy indica strain that is created by crossing multiple well-known strains found all over the world. It gets its name from its dominant terpene, linalool, which gives lavender its well-known scent. A goat cheese and Lavender Kush pairing will combine the best of both to create a light yet fulfilling flavor palette.  

Brie is traditionally served prior to the dessert course, but today you’ll find it on many appetizer boards. The possibilities for how to serve this cheese are endless, but all you really need to do is microwave it for a few minutes and enjoy the delicious, melty experience. 

As a dessert cheese, it’s only natural to want to pair it with something sweet. Wedding cake is a hybrid strain created by crossing Cherry Pie with Girl Scout Cookies (GSC). This combination creates a sweet and berry-like flavor with a sugary aftertaste.    

The possibilities are endless when it comes to choosing your favorite cannabis products for your romantic evening. If flower or vapes aren’t right for you, check out edibles or even cannabis beverages at your local dispensary.