Durban Poison Terpene Profile | Get to Know Your Favorite Strain

Discover the terpenes that make Durban Poison the ultimate wake’n bake strain.

Sure, the name sounds ominous, but this cultivar will put a serious pep in your step. It made its way to the U.S. in the late 1970s when an American breeder cultivated several seeds that he’d brought back from the port city of Durban, South Africa. Some of those specimens were then passed to another breeder who modified the genetics to optimize both resin content and flowering time. 

The result is one of the purest, most potent sativa strains available. It’s also considered one of the best tasting buds with perfectly balanced elements of sweet wood, citrus, and spice. Plus, let’s not forget that strains like GSC and Cherry Pie were created by crossing Durban Poison with other heavy-hitting strains. 

Read on and discover all the details about this potent cerebral strain and the terpenes that make it so popular.

Durban Poison Terpene Profile

The overall Durban Poison aroma is a harmonious blend of sweet, spice, citrus, and wood. The spice elements are reminiscent of chai, so imagine spices like anise. Citrus notes of orange and lemon perfectly accent the sweet elements of pine for an aroma that’s complex yet speaks to the simple pleasures in life. Honestly, you really have to smell it to understand.

None of that would be possible, however, without dominant terpenes Terpinolene, beta-Myrcene, and d-Limonene.

Most cultivars only have small amounts of Terpinolene, but it's one of the most dominant isolates in this profile. This cyclic monoterpene is known for its intense cerebral effects and its aroma is herbal with subtle notes of citrus and pine. Strains with lots of terpinolene tend to be heavy-hitters, and Durban Poison is clearly no exception. 

Myrcene (ß-Myrcene more specifically) gives this strain a sweet complexity. It has an aroma that’s earthy and woody with notes of cloves, cardamom, fruit, and musk. 

While we now know that d-Limonene isn't the king of citrus, it still plays a big role in the overall citrus flavor. It should come as no surprise that it’s sweet, sour, and found in fruits like lemons, limes, and oranges. It’s one of the most common terpenes in nature and lends Durban Poison effects like mood elevation.

Want the details on the REAL citrus flavor-makers? Read our Science of Exotic Cannabis III: The Trio of Tropicanna!

While there are over thirty other isolates that make up this complex blend, these three are some of the main contributors to its unique flavor, aroma, and effects.

Durban Poison | Terplytics

Our proprietary Terplytics system is the next generation of cannabis analytics. It allows us to deliver the most advanced botanical testing for exploratory research, sensory quantification, strain validation, product development, and consumer insights.

It’s also how we developed the Loud Factor and the Haze Factor.

In the most basic sense, the Loud Factor quantifies the pungency or “loudness” of a strain. Unlike Total Aromatics by Weight, the Loud Factor assigns scores to individual compounds based on their pungency. This is particularly important for aromatic compounds that are incredibly pungent, even at parts per billion. 

HAZE FACTOR  — 99% 

The Haze Factor is indicative of typical energizing sativa-like effects with piney, woody, citrus flavors. Additionally, the terpene content in these profiles tends to be higher than average, and you’ll often see haze profiles dominant in the terpene isolate terpinolene.

It’s also worth noting that our factor scores are logarithmic. That means the difference between a profile with a Haze Factor of 96% and one with 100% is HUGE, whereas the difference between a Haze Factor of 70% and 90% isn’t as big. 

It may not have “haze” in the name, but with a Haze Factor of 99%, you can expect to feel some of those beloved hazy effects. Speaking of which...

The Durban Poison Effect

In case you’re unaware, something really beautiful happens when you combine terpenes and cannabis. High levels of THC will definitely have a strong psychoactive effect, but without terpenes, you won’t experience a variety of flavors or the subtle nuances of effects that different strains have. 

That’s why some strains make you want to clean your entire house, while others make you want to drool on the couch for hours. Bottom line? If you love the way Durban Poison makes you feel, you can thank the exquisite combination of aromatic compounds and cannabinoids. 

If you use terms like Indica and Sativa, this strain falls neatly into the sativa category (although these terms don’t actually have anything to do with a cultivar’s effects). In the most basic sense, Durban Poison is stimulating. So stimulating, in fact, that it’s really only recommended for daytime use. The cerebral effects tend to kick in right away, so be prepared. Fans of this strain have described experiencing heightened senses and a crystal clear head high. 

While this may be disorienting for first-timers, it’s perfect for running errands, tackling chores, and even for creative endeavors. The complete lack of heaviness and couchlock means you can power through long to-do lists without missing a beat. Durban Poison also has a tendency to make people more chatty than normal, so it’s a great option for those who need a bit of social lubrication.

If you’re particularly susceptible to paranoia, however, you may want to consume carefully. The intense cerebral effects of this strain can be a lot to handle for those who prefer a more gentle high. 

Native Series | True-to-Type Durban Poison Terpene Profile

Our Native Series is a collection of Advanced Terpene Profiles that taste and smell exactly like the original cannabis material. The best part? They’re not limited by supply, they don’t cost your firstborn child, and they’re legal worldwide.

Want to put your own unique spin on Durban Poison? Combine it with other terpene profiles and blends for something consumers won’t find anywhere else. Turn the flavor volume to maximum by fusing it with a Cloudburst blend, or add some seriously earthy bass notes with one of the hemp-derived profiles from our Terplandia series.

Contact us today, and let’s get creative with Durban Poison.

Botanically Derived Durban Poison Terpene Profile

SHOP Durban Poison

The name may sound ominous, but Durban Poison is the dank wake-n-bake option you’ve been waiting for. The sweet pine and citrus provides a jolt of cerebral stimulation that heightens the senses and sharpens focus.