Weed and food tourism is becoming progressively more popular. Some food critics believe that combining the three is an unlikely pursuit due to the high possibility for intoxication beyond being able to continue function. There’s also aversion to the highly potent, earthy scent of most marijuana strains. To pot enthusiasts, it’s a welcome aroma that stimulates the brain’s pleasure centers, while to some chefs and food critics, it can be an overpowering scent that distracts from nuanced aromas and flavor combinations present in carefully planned meals.
Claims that state it’s impossible to enhance food through marijuana use aren’t exactly grounded in reality. Marijuana enhances the experience of eating to the extent that people make up the most ridiculous things. Stoner food exists for a reason, and there is absolutely no fault in attempting to elevate it to haute cuisine status. If you’re going to eat while smoking, why not eat well?
That said, there are a few ways of choosing how to pair food, wine, and weed. According to LifeHacker, the easiest way to think about it is to pair indicas with red wines, and sativas with whites, although the biggest thing to keep in mind when combining flavors is terpenes. Terpenes are the essential oils present in various strains, and can range from a lemony, zingy flavor, to the concentrated earthy flavor that most people will recognize. Limonene is a terpene that has the same citrusy notes that are present in white wines. Myrene has notes that work in both red and whites, while Linalool, a scent profile that’s more based in lavender and floral notes, and Caryophyllene are found in red wines.
The same way that a full-bodied red might go with an indica to make you relaxed and sleepy, it’s generally recommended to consume a richer, heartier meal. Although the general goal when pairing is to find products that work in tandem, it’s also definitely possible to mix effects and flavors to find what works well for you. The most important thing to use is your sense of smell. Test what you like and familiarize yourself with a variety of flavor profiles to be able to make precise decisions. If you’re wondering about finding better resources, Leafly, has a chart of strains suited to kinds of wines, although the chart is available in an article on Lifehacker.
A word of warning…if you’re going to mix weed and alcohol, know your limits. If you’re consuming infused food, the effects will be delayed by about an hour, so you won’t really know how intense the effect will be until time passes. Never drive after pairing. The critics are right to an extent; mixing alcohol and weed does affect everyone differently. But if you’re doing it safely, it can be an awesome experience. If you’re looking to check out a few pairings, or find more resources, do so here.
Happy Eating!
