Orange Soda

A Grandma's Cookies from the breeder's own line and a Tangie phenotype that, according to Team Elite Genetics, lacks the plastic smell otherwise typical of Tangie are the parents of Orange Soda in the line that won awards at 2 High Times competitions in 2019. The breeder lists the selection as phenotype #7 and classes it as 70 % sativa and 30 % indica. Several strains with entirely different lineages circulate under the same name.

Genetics and Origin:

By its own account, Team Elite Genetics was founded in 2011 in Orange County, California, and describes itself as a small family-run business. Another strain description gives the Cookies parent as Grandma's Sugar Cookies, and a further one confirms the 70 to 30 ratio in favor of sativa. At the Central Valley Cannabis Cup 2019, Orange Soda from Team Elite Genetics took 1st place in the sativa flower category, according to the winners list published by High Times. The breeder reports a further 1st place in the same category at the High Times Dope Cup 2019; another strain description also records this win.

Versions from Different Breeders:

Trichome Jungle Seeds crossed Mandarina with Sour Diesel and likewise named the result Orange Soda. The breeder describes the flavor as sweet and citrusy, with orange and hints of fuel. According to the details recorded for Trichome Jungle Seeds, this version is largely sativa-dominant, suits indoor and outdoor cultivation, flowers in around 70 days and exists only as feminized seed. Kosher Soda by DankHunters Seed Co and Velvet Soda Bx by The Bakery Genetics came from it, as did Orange Soul, for which Trichome Jungle Seeds combined its own Orange Soda with Soulmate from Bodhi Seeds. A producer in the USA also gives Sour Diesel and Mandarina as parents of its Orange Soda.

In Illinois, a producer markets Orange Soda as a sativa-dominant cross of Jilly Bean and Chem D. A 2023 test report gives 22.38 % THCA and 1.14 % total terpenes for a flower batch of this version, and a 2022 report gives 19.31 % THCA for another batch; neither states which laboratory did the measuring. These are single measurements that vary with batch, cultivation and phenotype. One consumer found that this version tastes more chemical and lemony than orange.

Crop King Seeds, Vancouver Seed Bank and Mary Jane's Garden describe a feminized Orange Soda from OG Kush and Orange Bud as a balanced hybrid; one strain description attributes this cross to Green Devil Genetics. All 3 providers give 13 to 24 % THC, 0.6 to 0.7 % CBD, yields of 400 to 500 g/m² indoors and 600 to 800 g per plant outdoors, and a harvest in mid to late September. Flowering time figures differ: Crop King Seeds gives 8 to 9 weeks, Vancouver Seed Bank 8 weeks, Mary Jane's Garden 6 to 8 weeks. For plant height, Crop King Seeds and Vancouver Seed Bank give 90 to 130 cm indoors and 150 to 200 cm outdoors.

Equilibrium Genetics lists Kel's Orange Soda as a second name for its Super Sour Orange, a cross of Super Sour Diesel and African Orange.

Aroma and Flavor:

Team Elite Genetics compares the flavor to freshly tapped, sparkling orange soda and names myrcene and beta-caryophyllene as the dominant terpenes. One strain description likewise puts myrcene first, followed by pinene and caryophyllene, and lists orange, citrus and apricot as aromas. Another describes sour oranges with spicy-floral and earthy notes and, on the exhale, a sweet note reminiscent of banana. A detailed 2022 test report first tasted cream soda, then citrus, with eucalyptus and honey on the finish. Not everyone shares the positive assessment: some consumers dislike a perfume-like aftertaste.

Effects:

According to the breeder, the effect starts out stimulating and sociable and fades into a long-lasting physical buzz. At their core, the user reports describe uplifted mood, focus and creativity; further accounts mention talkativeness, euphoria, relaxation without heaviness and a tingling in the body. One tester highlighted a clear head in 2022. In contrast, one consumer became active with a small amount and tired with a larger one, and another found the strain too stimulating for quiet desk work and became nervous. Several reports rate it as very strong.

As side effects, consumers mention dry mouth, dry eyes and dizziness, in isolated cases also nervousness at a high dose, a slightly increased pulse and ringing in the ears.

THC Content:

For the Team Elite Genetics line, one strain description gives 20 to 26 % THC; another lists 1 % CBG.

Community Experiences:

Those who describe the finished flowers speak of light green, loosely structured buds with prominent orange pistils and plenty of trichomes. One tester found them barely sticky, yet the smell clung noticeably to the fingers.