Blue Dream: A closer look at a west coast legend

Whether you are a seasoned smoker or a first-time toker, you have probably heard of the legendary Blue Dream. If you have lost interest in names because you think ‘they just don’t mean much,’ please just lay your skepticism aside for one second and have a listen.

Blue Dream is undeniably one of the most legendary modern varieties to ever arise out of the Emerald Triangle region. This globally renowned cannabis-producing region truly does represent the Bordeaux of the world of cannabis, and it consists of three counties: Humbolt, Mendocino, and Trinity counties, all located in gobsmackingly beautiful Northern California.

Globally recognized pioneer growers and breeders have developed some of the world’s most delicious varieties from this quiet little corner of the world, many in total secrecy, with countless breeders never going out of their way to publicly claim their work. This is just how it was back then, with nobody really knowing who made some of the most legendary varieties of the 70s and 80s. Masterpieces like Skunk and Northern Lights were preserved thanks to the efforts of people like Sam the Skunkman and Neville Schoenmakers who worked tirelessly to preserve the world’s most legendary cannabis lineages at a time when there were no seed companies or genetic repositories of cannabis anywhere in the world. It is thanks to the work of several key individuals in the Dutch and American scene that countless other breeders were able to do their thereafter, and Blue Dream is no exception.

Since hitting the Californian market in the early 2000s, Blue Dream has become perhaps one of the last varieties to achieve such ubiquitous presence on the global market while managing to roll out in the classic style, where the breeder has chosen to keep his or her name out of the public sphere. Today, in a world where selling or licensing cannabis genetics can bring breeders copious moola, pretty much every name has someone staking their claim.

The ancestry of Blue Dream is equally as classic as its place of ancestry. By combining DJ Short’s classic blueberry line with old school tropical Haze varieties, some unsung hero has brought us a new classic that is sure to last in circulation for many generations.

The flavor profile is dominated by tangy berries mixed with sweet earth and fresh-cut grass. Myrcene and Pinene can occur in high contents but this can vary depending on the particular phenotype.

The effects of Blue Dream likewise, can vary widely depending on who is consuming the flower, how it is consumed, and how much is consumed. For the average, more experienced smoker, Blue Dream tends to be considered as a lighter daytime high when smoked or vaporized in moderation, but everyone can be different.

Once you get to know Blue Dream, the overall flavor and effect are easy to recognize. It is also distinct in terms of how it looks. When taken to full maturity and cured slowly, the light blue-green buds are a pleasure to smell and gaze at, although buds can vary significantly in size depending on phenotype expression. I have seen some Blue Dream phenotypes that only produce tiny, popcorn-size buds, while others produce large, thick colas with slight elongation. Regardless, the smell is always loud and familiar.

Keep in mind that each flower is a product not only of its genetic code but also of the environment that produced it. Whether the plant was grown indoors or outdoors, or in soil or hydroponics, are all factors that will cause at least slight variability in how a plant looks, smells, and tastes.

So no, not all Blue Dreams are created equal and at the end of the day, you have to stick with the one grown in the style you like best. Some companies win awards with their Blue Dream, whilst others may possess the same (or very similar) genetic but fail to pair it with the right growing medium, environmental conditions, and/or processing methods.

One thing is for sure: when done right, Blue Dream leaves an impression on consumers of all experience levels. Like its Blueberry and Haze parent lineages before it, this modern legend has quickly established itself as one of the most ubiquitous and well-loved varieties of the 21st century.

Written by Adolfo Gonzalez
Image by Humboldt Seed Organization

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