Strain Spotlight: Sour Diesel

The tangy flavors of the legendary Sour Diesel strain are a sweet-meets-sour blend that will leave your tongue tingling. Known for its potent effects and unmistakable aroma, Sour Diesel is a cannabis flower staple. In this strain spotlight, we’ll explore everything you need to know about this icon, including its origins, flavor and aroma profile, potency, and variants.

The origins of Sour Diesel are like many of the most illustrious weed strains—shrouded in mystery. Just one more thing that adds to their allure. We know that Sour Diesel hit the cannabis scene sometime in 1990s New York, but its lineage is a topic for debate.² Experts believe the Sour Diesel’s lineage can be traced to Chemdawg and Super Skunk. However, others say that Northern Lights, Diesel, Mexican Sativa, or Skunk #1 may have created this celebrity child.¹ No matter what strains makeup Sour D’s parentage, it has cemented its reputation in cannabis culture.

It’s all in a name—the profile of Sour Diesel is as gassy and funky as its moniker suggests.  The strain has a pungent, diesel-like smell complemented by earthy tones and a sharp, citrusy finish. The taste of Sour Diesel is very similar to the aroma profile: a bold diesel flavor combined with sweet, tangy lemon and slight peppery spice on the exhale. This profile is not surprising as its dominant terpene is caryophyllene, followed closely by limonene and myrcene.

The Sour D strain is known for its impressive potency–its THC content typically ranges between 18% and 26%, making it more suitable for experienced canna connoisseurs.¹ Sour Diesel doesn’t contain much CBD, but sometimes you can find a variation with around 2%.¹

Hybrid

If you want a sweet berry spin on the famous Sour Diesel, try Strawberry Diesel. This perfectly balanced, 50:50 sativa-to-indica strain still packs the pungent, fuel-like flavor, but adds sugary, berry undertones. The aromas are similar to that of Sour D, adding in hints of earthiness. Strawberry Diesel’s parents are Strawberry Cough and NYC Diesel, and it has a 20-24% THC content, making it a quite potent experience.³

Sativa-Dominant Hybrid

If you want a less potent cannabis strain, NYC Diesel does the trick. It has an average THC level of 18-21%---a strong strain in its own right, but not as powerful as the original Sour Diesel. This sativa-dominant hybrid also has a hazy lineage. Many cannabis experts suggest that NYC Diesel may have additional influence from either Hawaiian or Afghani landrace strains, but its grapefruit twist on a classic sweet lime, diesel bouquet makes it popular regardless of its heritage.⁴

Sativa-Dominant Hybrid

Super Sour Diesel, also called Super Silver Sour Diesel, is a highly potent sativa-dominant hybrid that was bred from Super Silver Haze and Sour Diesel. Its aroma is more intensely herbal than other diesel strains, and the flavors lean toward sour citrus with sweet diesel notes. Similar to other Sour Diesel child strains, its 18-24% THC contents means its a low and slow strain.⁵

Indica-Dominant Hybrid

If you like an intense lemon taste and flavor profile, consider adding Lemon Diesel, or Lemon Sour Diesel, to your sesh rotation. This strain has a very sweet-and-sour citrus flavor and aroma, accompanied by hints of peppery diesel on the exhale. The Lemon Diesel strain is relatively potent, with an 18-20% THC level. Unlike many of the strains listed above, this one is an indica-dominant hybrid thanks to its parents, the famous California Sour and Lost Coast OG.⁶

Sativa-Dominant Hybrid

East Coast Sour Diesel, or ECSD, has an extremely strong aroma that is reminiscent of sour lemons found on a forest floor. The flavors are also pungent and citrus, with additional qualities of pine and spice. This sativa-dominant hybrid is descended from Sour Diesel and another unknown strain. However, it must be strong, as East Coast Sour Diesel has seen THC content as high as a whopping 27%.⁷

Sources: 

1. “Sour Diesel Marijuana Strain,” Allbud, https://www.allbud.com/marijuana-strains/sativa-dominant-hybrid/sour-diesel 

2. “Sour Diesel,” Leafwell, https://leafwell.com/cannabis-strains/sour-diesel 

3. “Strawberry Diesel Marijuana Strain,” Allbud, https://www.allbud.com/marijuana-strains/hybrid/strawberry-diesel  

4. “NYC Diesel Marijuana Strain,” Allbud, https://www.allbud.com/marijuana-strains/sativa-dominant-hybrid/nyc-diesel  

5. “Super Sour Diesel Marijuana Strain,” Allbud, https://www.allbud.com/marijuana-strains/sativa/super-sour-diesel  

6. “Lemon Diesel Marijuana Strain,” Allbud, https://www.allbud.com/marijuana-strains/indica-dominant-hybrid/lemon-diesel  

7. “East Coast Sour Diesel Marijuana Strain,” Allbud, https://www.allbud.com/marijuana-strains/sativa-dominant-hybrid/east-coast-sour-diesel