With the exponential-seeming growth of strain options on dispensary shelves today, it’s hard to keep track of them all. But every so often, there’s one strain that demands our attention. The Crescendo strain is one of them. If you don’t know about Crescendo, we recommend changing that! But don’t worry, we’re here to give you the download. In this article, we’ll dig into our ultimate Crescendo strain review.
Crescendo Strain Review: The Breakdown
To truly understand a strain, you need to know three things about it. First, it’s important to understand where it came from. The hero’s origin story, if you will. Second, let’s get sensory with a journey into the strain’s taste and scent. Finally (and probably most importantly), you need to know how a strain is likely to make you feel! Let’s learn more about Crescendo, an indica and sativa hybrid strain that leans more toward sativa.
Crescendo’s Origins
Many (if not most) of today’s strains trace their genetics back to two different parent plants: sativa and indica. That’s not the case with Crescendo, though. Instead, this strain actually boasts a three-way pedigree featuring some legendary genetics. Its Chemdawg x I-95 x Mandarin Cookies lineage combines Chemdawg and I-95, two older strains, with relative newcomer Mandarin Cookies. These stains each enjoy their own distinct reputations:
- Chemdawg: This indica-dominant strain’s origins are shrouded in mystery. According to legend, Chemdawg traces its beginnings to a Grateful Dead tour from the early 1990s. Deadheads allegedly loved the strain because of its high potency and pungent smell, reminiscent of diesel fuel.
- I-95: A calming, chilled-out hybrid, I-95 shares the pungent, tangy scent of diesel fuel found in Chemdawg.
- Mandarin Cookies: Presenting a sweet and citrusy taste and aroma, this strain lives up to its namesake, the Mandarin orange. Mandarin Cookies, despite being a hybrid itself, demonstrates powerful, indica-forward effects.
As a result of this three-way cross, Crescendo is technically a hybrid. You wouldn’t guess that offhand though, considering the distinct feeling of its effects. But more on that later.
Aroma and Flavor
Like with all cannabis genetics, the Crescendo strain derives its scent and taste from terpenes. We’ve covered terpenes in-depth before. Crescendo’s most abundant terpenes are:
- Myrcene: This is the most common terpene found in cannabis. Myrcene is known for providing a pungent, musky aroma with sweet undertones.
- Limonene: As you may have surmised from its name, limonene carries a sweet, citrusy scent reminiscent of a good cleaning product. This terpene is primarily responsible for Crescendo’s fruity essence.
- Caryophyllene: This is the only terpene that also acts as a cannabinoid. Caryophyllene is known for contributing woodsy, spicy flavors. It’s one of the primary terpenes in pepper, as well.
The combination of these three major terpenes gives Crescendo a heavily earthy, pungent flavor on the front end. Its sweet, citrusy finish surprises the palate as its flavor profile develops.
Properties and Effects
The Crescendo strain is nearly a true hybrid, with perfectly balanced genetics. That gives it a pleasant, mellow buzz at first. In fact, its initial vibes are so mellow, you might mistake it for a full-on indica.
After lulling you into relaxation, though, Crescendo begins to demonstrate its sativa side. Its cranial, euphoric effects are somewhat tempered by its hybrid genetics—but you’ll definitely feel a noticeable change as this strain’s effects build like a well-composed piece of music until it, well, crescendos. With an average THC content hovering around 30 percent, that’s no surprise.
We’ve definitely covered a lot of ground in this Crescendo strain review. If brushing up on this strain’s genetics and effects have left you with a desire to spark up for yourself, check out our ample selection of strains, concentrates, and infused products.
