Sour Grape

Sour Grape is a relatively popular name for cannabis crosses involving Sour Diesel and grape-flavored or purple-colored parents. One of the most widely circulated varieties of Sour Grape, however, is the product of Sour Diesel and the heavily sedative Grandaddy Purple. Well-balanced between mental and physical effects, this Sour Grape is a great way to enhance a variety of activities, both social and intimate. Cannabis testing lab Analytical 360 has measured this strain’s potency at between 14% and a staggering 24%.

Sour Grape has small to medium-sized flowers that appear spherical in shape when fully cured.  The tiny buds adhere in a dense and heavy indica structure, with the leaves tightly coiled around central stems. The leaves themselves are a dull, earthy shade of dark green; although many phenotypes boast vibrant streaks of purple. These purple hues are the result of a process akin to changes in autumn foliage, and are the result of high concentrations of pigments called anthocyanins being excited by colder than average temperatures in the growing process. Trichomes dot the outer and inner surfaces of the leaves and appear more dewy and transparent than white and opaque. Regardless of its color, however, the resin makes these flowers incredibly sticky and difficult to break up without the use of a grinder. Flowers of Sour Grape have a unique aroma that appeals to fans of both dank and more fruity strains. The predominant smell is a chemical, fuel-like funk, clearly passed on from Sour Diesel. Almost as strong in intensity, the  tangy, slightly tropical scent of fruit blooms just underneath. When combusted, Sour Grape has a surprisingly smooth smoke and tastes simultaneously grape-like and skunky on the exhale. It is important to note that this strain’s signature grape flavor is coincidental to its purple coloring — the pigments that produce Sour Grape’s shades of violet jjave no corresponding effect on the strain’s taste.

Sour Grape has a multi-dimensional that begins with a fast-acting headrush. Smokers are hit with a quick pressure around the eyes and temples, and may detect some increased salivation at the back of the palate. Depending on their set and setting, this headrush may also make users feel dizzy or off-balance. Psychedelic effects like visual distortions and a sense of time dilation may also be common. Although Sour Grape may stimulate users’ thoughts, it is unlikely to trigger the kind of intense, free-associative “mindrace” associated with purer sativas. As the high progresses, a feeling of relaxation creeps in and may inspire smokers to seek rest in the most comfortable nearby surroundings available. However relaxed they may be, though, smokers remain more mentally lucid than dreamy or hazy. Sour Grape provides the energy needed to accomplish a day’s tasks. Because it stimulates the body and mind, it can also serve as a great accompaniment for activities that involve both — including, both not limited to, exercise and sex. Because it makes room for a bit of cerebral activity, Sour Grape may not be the best strain to enjoy just before bed.

Just as it is recreationally versatile, this strain has a variety of uses for medical cannabis patients. Its late-blooming indica relaxation can provide relief from troubling aches and pains. More commonly, its uplift in mood may allow temporary relief from acute symptoms of anxiety, depression, and PTSD. Sour Grape’s long-lasting, clearheaded focus can even help patients with attention deficit disorders to focus on a single task. Because its cerebral effects are limited, Sour Grape comes with a decreased potential for inciting anxiety or paranoia.

There is limited public information available on cultivation of Sour Grape. Seeds do not seem to be commercially available; instead, prospective growers must obtain clippings from healthy plants in order to grow genetically identical “clones.” Because it is a hybrid, Sour Grape can be well-managed and maintained in indoor grow operations, and can grow wild and free outdoors in Mediterranean-like climates with daytime temperatures between 72 and 80 degrees Fahrenheit. Those looking to bring out this strain’s trademark flashes of purple should expose plants to cold (but not freezing) nighttime temperatures late in the vegetative stage. Both the Sour Diesel and Grandaddy Purple parent strains flower within a relatively lengthy 10 to 11 weeks when grown indoors. Finally, this strain remains particularly pungent from seedling to flower, so growers trying to keep their operations discreet should invest in odor-control measures like carbon air filters.

As enjoyable in chatty social settings as it is introspective solo situations, Sour Grape is a potent and well-rounded crossbreed. Its funky-fruity taste and middle-of-the-road effects make it a great option for those seeking bold grape taste without heavy indica sedation.