Horchata Weed Strain Information & Review

Sophia Delphi May 29, 2023 - 6 min read
Fact Checked
Horchata Marijuana Strain Review

Horchata weed doesn’t taste exactly like the popular Mexican drink. It comes close, though. The creamy smoke is sweet with a spicy accent, but unlike the beverage, this strain has a strong berry flavor with a little bit of pine, pepper, and diesel in there as well.

Horchata is an evenly-balanced, potent hybrid with a THC content that averages around 23%. A head high dominates the strain’s effects: the cerebral buzz is energizing, uplifting and happy.

Most users find they experience a burst of creativity and focus, and the soothing, relaxing body stone doesn’t normally get in the way of accomplishing tasks that have been waiting for attention — or starting new ones.

The nugs are distinctive. They grow in extremely thick, mint green clumps with speckles of purple and tightly intertwined orange pistils, covered in a heavy layer of amber trichomes.

Effects

Horchata arrives quickly, with a euphoric head rush. It’s a joyous and uplifting feeling that washes away stress and anxiety; at the same time, it delivers a boost in motivation, attention, and creativity. That allows you to focus on your to-do list or buckle down to work on complicated projects at work or at home. And Horchata’s mental energy carries you right through the high.

Yes, there’s a body buzz as well, but it’s simply relaxing and calming. It’s unlikely to slow you down or plant you onto the couch for the duration unless you’re an inexperienced user. In that case, Horchata’s high THC levels may convince you to rest for a while. Otherwise, the body stone will just ease your muscles and joints as you go about your day or evening.

This strain is suitable for either time of day. It can elevate your mood and productivity during the workday, or make you more sociable and talkative once you’re home from work (or out on the town). Horchata isn’t a great bedtime weed because of the burst of energy it provides, but some smokers find that energy is just what they’re looking for in a wake-and-bake strain.

Bottom Line: Horchata is a potent and enjoyable bud that boosts mood and energy, with a calming body stone that won’t get in the way of getting stuff done while you’re high.

Positive Effects:

  • Energy: 5/5
  • Creative: 4/5
  • Pain: 3/5
  • Stress: 4/5
  • Sleep: 1/5
  • Mood: 4/5

Side Effects

It’s important to understand the potency of Horchata before starting a smoke sesh. Those who are new to high-THC strains may quickly be overwhelmed by this strain; dizziness, headaches, anxiety, or paranoia are all possibilities. Experienced smokers may experience some of these side effects if they take few tokes too many, and those with anxiety problems are also at risk.

For everyone else, dry eyes, dry throat, and cough are the only minor side effects to be aware of.

Negative Effects:

  • Paranoid: 2/5
  • Dry Mouth: 4/5
  • Dry Eyes: 4/5
  • Lethargy: 2/5
  • Cough: 3/5

Medical Conditions

Horchata is often used by MMJ patients who are dealing with stress (including PTSD), anxiety, OCD, and depression. They value the strain’s uplifting high which eliminates the worries and negative thoughts underlying those psychological conditions. Users with a social anxiety disorder or similar issues also appreciate the weed’s ability to make them more social and talkative.

The focused nature of Hortchata’s cerebral buzz is also praised by patients with ADD and ADHD. Those with pain issues are less likely to use Horchata for medical purposes because its calming body relaxation isn’t usually strong enough to battle serious pain. Some with chronic pain conditions, though, say it’s more than enough to “take the edge off.”

Flavor and Aroma

Horchata is a delicious weed. Just don’t expect it to taste or smell exactly like that drink you enjoyed last Cinco de Mayo or on a trip to Mexico.

The aroma is sweet and more complex than you might expect. There are notes of earth, pine, pepper, spice, berries, vanilla, and diesel, with the outdoorsy scents more evident when you grind or break the flower apart.

The flavor is light and tasty, with the smoke tasting of sweet berries and sugar, along with undertones of earth and spices. The aftertaste is creamy and a bit spicy, the clearest reminder of the beverage this strain is named after.

Flavor and Aroma Ratings:

  • Earthy: 3/5
  • Citrus: 1/5
  • Fruity: 4/5
  • Spice: 3/5
  • Wood: 2/5

Cannabinoids and Terpenes

The bud sold in dispensaries has an average THC content of 23%, meaning it may be closer to 25% in batches available at retail outlets. Even if your weed is on the low end of that spectrum, however, a THC level above 20% is nothing to laugh at. Be careful and take things easy when you start smoking Horchata. CBD content may approach 1%, with CBN levels around 0.5%.

Myrcene is by far the dominant terpene in this strain. There are also notable amounts of caryophyllene, ocimene, and pinene, and trace amounts of terps like limonene, linalool, and humulene.

Lineage

Oregon’s Meraki Gardens originally bred Horchata by crossing two tasty strains from the Gelato family, Jet Fuel Gelato and Mochi Gelato.

Both parents are balanced, high-THC strains that deliver potent cerebral effects, and each has a sweet and fruity taste. With Horchata, you get exactly what you’d expect from those two outstanding parent strains.

Where to Buy Horchata Seeds

These seeds aren’t the easiest to find, but some online vendors do carry them. For feminized Horchata seeds, check out SunWest Genetics or Seeds Of Ganja; the Clone Conservatory and the Tahoe Wellness Center often sell Horchata clones.

Similar Strains

Some of the strains that deliver effects similar to Horchata are Green Crack, Skywalker, Dark Matter F2, and White Widow.

Horchata Strain Review: FAQ

Q: Is Horchata an indica or sativa?
A: Some might think it’s a sativa because of the strain’s powerful cerebral blast and lesser physical effects, but Horchata is actually a 50/50 balanced strain. The high, as is so often the case, isn’t simply a function of indica and sativa genetics. Horchata’s lineage and terpenes also have a lot to do with the overall experience.

Q: What is Horchata’s flowering time?
A: Expect it to take 7-8 weeks for flowers to appear, and another seven weeks or so for the bud to be ready for harvest.