Zkittlez strain: genetics, aroma and effects of the candy strain
By the Golden High teamUpdated 28 October 20268 min read
Strains
The Zkittlez strain is a Californian cannabis strain bred from Grape Ape and Grapefruit, with a third, never-revealed genetic in the mix, and it's known for its fruity candy aroma. It made its name by winning the Emerald Cup in 2016, despite a fairly modest cannabinoid content. Here's where it comes from, what gives it its flavour, what people say about it, its crosses like Gorilla Zkittlez, and why it had to change its name.
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The Zkittlez strain, at a glance.
Before we get into the story, here are the essentials on Zkittlez, as described by strain databases and the press sources cited below. Keep in mind that a strain's potency and effects vary from one grow and one batch to the next.
Its name openly played on that of a fruity candy brand. That resemblance landed it in court, and we'll come back to that below.
Zkittlez strain
Genetics from Mendocino.
Zkittlez comes from Northern California, in Mendocino County, which is also home to the company Terphogz. According to Leafly, the original phenotype was kept by a grower known as Gas Station Bob, then popularised by Terp Hogz, working with the 3rd Gen Family collective.
Grape Ape
The name says grape (grape). It brings one of the two known halves of the lineage, on the dark, sweet fruit side according to its reputation.
Grapefruit
The name says grapefruit. It's the other known half of the lineage, reputedly linked to a tangier profile.
The third genetic has never been made public. That's common among breeders, who protect their work this way, but it also means the full lineage can't be traced. Be wary of strain pages claiming to know the "secret" of Zkittlez without a source.
Indica or sativa? Leafly lists it as an indica-dominant hybrid, but those labels say little about what's actually in a flower. We explain why in sativa, indica, hybrid: do they still mean anything.
What the sources say
A win without record potency.
Zkittlez owes much of its reputation to one competition: the Emerald Cup, a Californian contest that rewards flowers and extracts every year. In December 2016, a Zkittlez took first place in the flower category. Here's what the sources report.
Cannabis Now · 12 December 2016
The magazine reports that the Zkittlez grown by the Dookie Brothers won the flower competition. The 3rd Gen Family collective, which bred the genetics, took the Breeder's Cup for best breeder.
High Times · 13 December 2016
The magazine points out that the winning Zkittlez tested at 19% total active cannabinoids, far from the records of the time. Its headline sums it up: the best weed doesn't always have the most THC.
Oswald et al. · ACS Omega, 2023
Chemists analysed 31 extracts from strains with very different aromas. Their major terpene profiles were very similar; it's mostly minor, non-terpene compounds that explain the distinctive sweet or fruity notes.
Smith et al. · PLOS ONE, 2022
Analysis of samples sold in six US states shows that commercial strain labels don't reliably match their chemical composition.
What that tells you: Zkittlez won on flavour, not on a number. And the chemistry behind that flavour is subtler than the three terpenes listed on a strain page. References at the bottom of the page.
The flavour
Why it smells like candy.
Leafly describes Zkittlez as a strain that tastes like tropical candy: a sweet blend of exotic fruit. It's that profile, more than its strength, that built its reputation. The major terpenes measured, though, tell a different story.
| Terpene listed | Associated aroma | Also found in |
|---|---|---|
| Beta-caryophyllene | Peppery, spicy | Black pepper, cloves |
| Linalool | Floral | Lavender |
| Humulene | Woody, hoppy | Hops |
Here's the paradox: none of those three terpenes smells like candy. That's exactly what Oswald and his colleagues showed: the sweet or fruity aromas of "exotic" strains come mainly from molecules present in tiny amounts, notably esters and sulphur compounds. To dig deeper into what terpenes do, read terpenes, the secret behind the flavour.
These aromas are fragile: heat and time make them evaporate. Keep your flower in an airtight jar, away from light.
Zkittlez effects
Typical effects, not guarantees.
Reviews collected by Leafly describe an overall calm effect, with a mind that reportedly stays focused and in a good mood. Users also mention relaxation, sleepiness and hunger. These are reputations, built on reports from people who used the THC strain.
- What comes up a lot: relaxation, good mood, a feeling of calm.
- What also comes up: sleepiness and appetite, especially towards the end of a session.
- Associated moment: evenings, in a laid-back setting.
Good to know: two Zkittlez plants grown differently won't have the same potency or the same terpenes. And as the 2022 study showed, a strain's name doesn't guarantee its composition. The only reliable guide is the batch's lab report.
If you want to compare with strains at the opposite end, we've written about Amnesia Haze, known as more uplifting, and Bruce Banner, known for its strength.
The crosses
Gorilla Zkittlez, Watermelon Zkittlez and the rest.
A winning strain becomes a parent strain. Zkittlez has been crossed with plenty of genetics; two crosses are especially sought after, and their pages were also renamed with a "Z".
| Gorilla Zkittlez | Watermelon Zkittlez | |
|---|---|---|
| Current name on Leafly | Gorilla Z | Watermelon Z |
| Cross | Original Glue (Gorilla Glue) × Zkittlez | Watermelon × Zkittlez |
| Breeder listed | Barney's Farm (seeds) | Not specified |
| Dominant terpene listed | Caryophyllene, then limonene and myrcene | Limonene, then caryophyllene and myrcene |
| Reputation | Well-being, relaxation, creativity | Effect described as heavy and euphoric |
Gorilla Zkittlez pairs the sweet side of Zkittlez with the potent reputation of Gorilla Glue. Watermelon Zkittlez pushes the fruity side towards watermelon, with more limonene. In both cases, the same caveats apply: reputation isn't composition.
Zkittlez or The Original Z?
Why the Zkittlez strain changed its name.
2021
Wrigley, owner of the Skittles candy brand, sues Terphogz in a federal court in Chicago for trademark infringement. It demands $250,000 and that the company drop the letter Z.
November 2021
The judge rejects Terphogz's motion to dismiss the case: the lawsuit goes on.
July 2023
Settlement: Terphogz gives up the Zkittlez name, the circle logo and the zkittlez.com domain, but keeps the letter Z. According to Terphogz's statement, no damages are paid.
Since then
The strain is sold as "The Original Z". In everyday use, everyone still calls it Zkittlez.
This story is a reminder: a strain name isn't a protected designation. It circulates freely, gets copied and repurposed. That's why a flower should be judged on what it contains and on its lab report, not on its label.
At Golden High
Zkittlez, the Delta-P version.
Our Zkittlez Delta-P 20 % isn't the Californian THC strain: it's a hemp flower inspired by its aroma profile, part of our CBDX-based Delta-P range, under 0.3% THC and lab-tested. On the nose, tropical fruit and candy; when lit, a smooth smoke with notes of citrus, red berries and sweets.
If you like sweet profiles, Cali Mochi Delta-P 25 % plays in the same league, with more lemon. All our flowers are in the Delta-P flowers collection, and the details on Delta-P are in our dedicated guide.
Smell it first
Open the bag and let the flower breathe for a few seconds: that's when the candy profile comes through best.
Grind gently
A medium grind preserves the aromas and gives a more even burn.
Start low
A small amount, and time between doses. Adults only, never before driving.
Your questions
What people ask us about Zkittlez.
What is the Zkittlez strain?
A cannabis strain from Mendocino, California, bred from Grape Ape and Grapefruit crossed with a third, undisclosed genetic. It's known for its fruity candy aroma and won the Emerald Cup in 2016.
What are the effects of Zkittlez?
Reports compiled by Leafly describe a calm, good-mood effect, with relaxation, sleepiness and appetite. These are reputations of the THC strain, and they vary with the grow and the batch.
Is Zkittlez indica or sativa?
Leafly classes it as an indica-dominant hybrid, but according to a study published in PLOS ONE in 2022, those categories say little about what's actually in a flower.
Why is Zkittlez now called The Original Z?
The maker of Skittles sued Terphogz for trademark infringement in 2021. The July 2023 settlement required dropping the Zkittlez name; the strain is now sold as "The Original Z".
What's the difference between Zkittlez and Gorilla Zkittlez?
Gorilla Zkittlez is a cross between Gorilla Glue (Original Glue) and Zkittlez, sold as seeds by Barney's Farm. It keeps the fruity side and adds Gorilla Glue's reputation for potency.
What is Watermelon Zkittlez?
A cross between a Watermelon strain and Zkittlez, with a fruity profile dominated by limonene according to Leafly, and a reputation for a heavy effect.
Can you buy Zkittlez legally in France?
The THC strain is a controlled drug in France. There are hemp flowers inspired by its profile, under 0.3% THC, like our lab-tested Zkittlez Delta-P 20 %.
Sources
The references cited in this article.
- Leafly. The Original Z (aka Zkittlez) strain; Gorilla Z; Watermelon Z.
- Cannabis Now (2016). Emerald Cup 2016 All Star Weed Roundup.
- High Times (2016). Emerald Cup: The Best Marijuana Doesn't Always Have The Most THC.
- Reuters, via Insurance Journal (2023). Skittles Maker Wrigley Settles With Cannabis Company Over Trademark.
- Terphogz, via PR Newswire (2023). "Zkittlez" originator Terphogz releases statement on settlement with "Skittles" candy maker Wrigley.
- Oswald I. W. H. et al. (2023). Minor, Nonterpenoid Volatile Compounds Drive the Aroma Differences of Exotic Cannabis, ACS Omega.
- Smith C. J. et al. (2022). The phytochemical diversity of commercial Cannabis in the United States, PLOS ONE.
