Get to Know Your Favorite Strain | OG Kush

Let’s honor the original gangster that grandfathered so many iconic strains you know and love. Discover the aromatic compounds making up the dank OG Kush experience.

Earthy, pine, skunky, lemony — all of these are used to describe the unique aroma of OG Kush. It’s one of those cannabis strains that leaves a lasting impression on people, and for good reason! 

Legendary cannabis breeder Josh Del Rosso, AKA Josh D, introduced OG Kush to California in 1996 and helped define its rise in West Coast cannabis culture. After nurturing some high-quality cuts from Florida,¹ he named it OG (Original) Kush, for its unique aroma and bud structure. He noted its “greasy, oily trichomes that shine like diamonds,”² and he knew it was something wholly original. 

Today, we have OG Kush to thank for some of the most well-known and beloved strains. From King Louie XIII and SFV OG to Girl Scout Cookies, it’s hard to imagine a cannabis world without the influence of OG Kush. Its aroma is aggressive and the dry mouth is real, but the euphoric experience keeps people coming back for more. 

Ready to learn more about this cornerstone of modern cannabis genetics? Read on and discover some of the compounds that contribute to its pungent aroma and euphoric couch-lock.

OG Kush Strain | Terpene Profile

When someone says that OG Kush is dank, that’s putting it lightly. Its heavy skunk scent is lifted up by sharp notes of lemon zest, creating an in-your-face gasoline experience.  None of this would be possible, however, without its unique combination of aromatic compounds, like dominant terpenes d-Limonene, β-Caryophyllene, and β-Myrcene.

While recent research has shown that tropicannasulfur compounds (TCSCs) play a more significant role in citrusy aromas, d-Limonene still contributes to the sharp citrus scent that cuts through heavier, earthy notes. On its own, this terpene has a loud citrus flavor and can be found in oranges, lemons, limes, and other citrus fruits. 

The isolate beta-caryophyllene is likely where OG Kush gets some of its spicier, earthy aroma from. This isn’t surprising considering you can find beta-caryophyllene in black pepper, cloves, black caraway, basil, oregano, cinnamon, and more. 

Last, but certainly not least, Myrcene is one of those terps that blends harmoniously with other terpenes to create unique, memorable scents. Found in hops, lemongrass, eucalyptus, and mango, its aroma is both sweet and minty with leafy, vegetal notes. 

OG Kush | Non-Terpene Aromatic Compounds

We also want to mention another compound… even though it’s not a terpene. We’re talking about Prenylated Cannasulfur Compounds (PCSCs). PCSCs are responsible for the gassy and skunky aromas of some cannabis cultivars, and they’re likely a significant driver of that in-your-face OG Kush dankness. 

These compounds are also highly volatile. During observations for our research, PCSCs increased substantially during the final week of flowering and then again at the end of curing. However, concentrations dropped significantly just ten days later.³ For growers, this means that time is of the essence when producing and packaging OG Kush products. For consumers hunting for gas, it means freshness is pivotal.

For those who prefer products without that skunky quality, our OG Kush Premium Strain Profile is ideal. It’s formulated to have the same flavor and effect of the OG Kush they want, but it won’t smell skunky because it doesn’t include PCSCs.

For consumers who WANT that authentic gassy aroma… stay tuned! In the meantime, you can enjoy the gassiest strain we’ve EVER measured — Bacio Gelato!

In all honesty, we’re never really done analyzing! With our recent cannabis flavorant discoveries, we’ve begun identifying more nuanced compounds. Basically, we’re always looking for more data so we can recreate the most authentic profiles of your favorite cultivars. 

OG Kush | Terpene Profile Effect

Cannabinoids like THC promote psychoactivity, but it’s actually aromatic compounds that dictate sensorial effects like relaxation, creativity, etc. That’s why two cultivars with the same cannabinoid levels may promote different experiences. That’s also why THC levels shouldn’t necessarily be an indicator of quality). 

So, when it comes to the way OG Kush makes you feel, you can thank the unique combination of cannabinoids and various aromatic compounds. 

While terms like indica and sativa refer to plant biology and NOT effects (a common misconception), the OG Kush cultivar is considered a hybrid. 

The OG Kush experience is often described as euphoric, with intense cerebral effects and body relaxation. Some say OG Kush helps creativity, conversation, and promotes a “chill” vibe. Basically, you’re going to experience an elevated mood, you’ll be chatty, but then you’ll also get that stereotypical “couch-lock.”

Premium Strain Profiles | True-to-Type OG Kush Terpene Profile

Our Premium Strain Profiles are a collection of classic botanical terpene profiles that taste and smell exactly like the original cannabis material without the “skunk” from Prenylated Cannasulfur Compounds. The best part? Since they’re botanically sourced, they’re not limited by supply, and you can actually afford them.

Want to put your own spin on OG Kush?

Combine OG Kush with other profiles and blends for something your customers won’t find anywhere else. Create novel high-intensity aromatics by mixing it with a Cloudburst blend, add dimensions of dank with a Native Series profile, or add even more earthy bass notes with the hemp-derived profiles in our Terplandia Series. 

Contact us today, and start infusing your products with the unique aroma, flavors, and effects of OG Kush!

1. Devine, J. (2020, April 17). OG kush: a quarter century of gas josh d talks how he brought the strain to the masses. Laweekly.Com. Retrieved 2024, from https://www.laweekly.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/e-edition-041620-396221.pdf.

2. Bobrow, W. (2018, December 21). Josh Del Rosso, founder and managing director of Josh D Farms. Forbes. https://www.forbes.com/sites/warrenbobrow/2018/12/21/josh-del-rosso-founder-and-managing-director-of-josh-d-farms/?sh=4b77a6226572

3. Iain W. H. Oswald, Marcos A. Ojeda, Ryan J. Pobanz, Kevin A. Koby, Anthony J. Buchanan, Josh Del Rosso, Mario A. Guzman, and Thomas J. Martin. Identification of a New Family of Prenylated Volatile Sulfur Compounds in Cannabis Revealed by Comprehensive Two-Dimensional Gas Chromatography. ACS Omega 2021. https://pubs.acs.org/doi/10.1021/acsomega.1c04196 

Celebrate OG Kush Terpenes!

SHOP OG Kush

While its heritage is shrouded in mystery, OG Kush has likely birthed one of your favorite strains. Elements of pine, spice, and earth are elevated with soft floral notes and sharp lemon. You’ve got to experience the true OG for yourself.

SHOP d-Limonene

As its name suggests, d-Limonene has a loud citrus flavor and smell. It is found in oranges, limes, lemons, grapefruits, and many other citrus fruits.  

SHOP beta-Caryophyllene

A prominent terpene produced in trichomes, beta-Caryophyllene is also found in large quantities in traditional medicinal plants like black pepper, black caraway, cloves, basil, oregano, cinnamon, and many others. This is a uniquely spicy terpene. beta-Caryophyllene is a core ingredient of many contemporary spices, fragrances, soaps, and lotions. 

 

SHOP beta-Myrcene

beta-Myrcene is a prevalent terpene in hops, mango, bay leaves, lemongrass, and eucalyptus. The flavor is a strong sweetness with minty balsam and a vegetal leafy feel. 

SHOP King Louie XIII

Heavy is the head that wears the crown. Indeed, this monarch carries the traditional OG impact concentrated in a pleasantly cranial direction. This profile is just straight gas. If you want to get loud, look no further. The king is here.

SHOP SFV OG

Hailing from the San Fernando Valley, a local fan favorite, SFV OG has an innate herbal bouquet that's moderated with pine and citric tones but contains a refreshing updraft of earth.

SHOP GSC

The diabolical descendant of OG Kush and Durban Poison, Girl Scout Cookies isn’t as innocent as its namesake. The aroma is dessert-like with floral notes, sweet citrus, and a touch of earthy goodness… but don’t be fooled. These terps mean business.