Forbidden Fruit

Forbidden Fruit was first bred in 2015 by Joseph from Chameleon Extracts. The story is both serendipitous and fraught with drama. Using a Tangie plant from Crockett Family Farm, Joseph then dusted it with Cherry Pie pollen from the legendary breeder Jigga. Thirty-seven phenotypes were created with clear Tangie-forward genetics, but one in particular shone above the rest.

In an interview with Cannabis Now, Joseph said, “The one that we ended up keeping was purple from the beginning… out of the 37, it was the only one showing any color at all. There was a couple that maybe smelled a little better, but it had that visual appeal I knew people would enjoy. But it tastes like Tangie all the way through. It had the Pie look, it just tasted like Tangie.”

Without Joseph getting his hands on those Cherry Pie seeds and a cut of Tangie, Forbidden Fruit wouldn’t exist — but it seems its creation was destined. Joseph continued to tinker with the genetics and ended up backcrossing it two more times with Cherry Pie. This increased its potency, and infused the final Forbidden Fruit strain with a subtle cherry aftertaste. Drama continued to follow the strain, however, with many debating the legitimacy of its genetics. As it grew in popularity, and cuttings ended up in growers’ hands, the arguments dissipated. 

Unfortunately, with the genetic information confirmed, many began to cultivate their own versions. Without the expert hand of the original breeder, these plants were often less potent and less flavorful than the Forbidden Fruit from Chameleon Extracts. The moral of the story? Sometimes the original creator knows best.

Vintage: 2015

Lineage: Tangie x Cherry Pie

Breeder: Joseph at Chameleon Extracts

Forbidden Fruit Strain Effects: Indica or Sativa?

If the name makes you imagine wandering amongst fruit orchards, you’ve got the gist of this delicious cultivar. There’s something almost whimsical about the effects of this indica-leaning hybrid. While heavy use may induce the stereotypical couch lock, just a few puffs will cause your mind to pleasantly drift while your body relaxes into bliss.

The cerebral effects quickly elevate your mood and soften any stress. Forbidden Fruit is perfect for unwinding after work or before bed, particularly if you need some physical relaxation. 

One Forbidden Fruit fanatic describes it like so: “It’s like this soft blanket tucks itself around me. It helps me push my worries to the side so I can enjoy this subtle euphoric feeling. After that, I usually notice the tense muscles around my shoulders have relaxed. That almost never happens! A few more puffs and my whole body is heavy, relaxed, and I’m probably starting to feel a bit sleepy. Overall, it elevates my mood, helps me release tension I didn’t even realize I was carrying, and sometimes gives me the munchies.”

Aside from the potential munchies, common side effects include sleepiness, dry mouth, and dry eyes, but the euphoric effects of Forbidden Fruit counterbalance many of these experiences. Its uplifting effects have made it popular among medical marijuana patients looking to manage stress and/or depression. Forbidden Fruit has also been used to help those with low appetite, chronic pain, migraines, and insomnia.

Forbidden Fruit Terpenes, Taste, and Characteristics

There’s some debate about the dominant terpenes of this strain, but most agree that myrcene, beta-caryophyllene, limonene, and linalool play pivotal roles in the flavor and aroma of Forbidden Fruit.

It should come as no surprise that the aroma and flavor are magnificently fruity. Its citrusy, berry-forward lineage is fully present even before you break open the buds. Upon smoking, you’ll immediately notice the sweetness of cherries and notes of tropical fruits, and the exhale will highlight citrus and pine flavors. There are also subtle earthy notes that more advanced smokers may pick up on.

The buds themselves come in a variety of colors and shades. From purple and orange, to blue and nearly pink, the colors are almost as varied as the plethora of fruity flavors you may pick up on. 

In general, buds are dense but delicate. They are heavily coated in shining crystal-like trichomes, with very few bright orange pistils. When grown properly, this strain can have THC levels somewhere in the vicinity of 25%. 

Forbidden Fruit Strain Seeds and Grow Info

While getting your hands on seeds is hard (if not impossible), there’s good news from the original breeder in regard to growing this strain. Joseph explains, “It’s kind of a Blue Dream in that you can literally throw it in the ground and hit it with a garden hose and you’re going to be extremely happy with the end results.” He urges growers to not overdo it on the nutrients because it will actually stunt the growth of Forbidden Fruit. 

In general, Forbidden Fruit is a relatively low-maintenance strain to grow. Joseph emphasizes this, saying “It doesn’t over-veg. It keeps a nice shell. The nugs are nice and tight. It’s just a matter of not doing too much.” That being said, there are still a few caveats to consider.

While it can be successfully grown both indoors and outdoors, light control can be an issue. That may make growers consider indoor options, but with the right climate that’s not a requirement. If you do choose the indoor option, make sure the space has adequate ventilation, medium humidity, and maintains a room temperature climate. For outdoor growing, a moderate climate is preferred. Forbidden Fruit has been known to thrive in drier regions with plentiful sunshine. Outdoor harvest usually occurs in mid-October.

Unfortunately, this strain is clone-only since seeds haven’t been released by Chameleon Extracts or any affiliated breeders. Luckily, S1 seeds can be purchased from Nspecta of Humboldt CSI. Their work preserving clone-only strains is so highly respected that it’s not uncommon to find people who refuse to grow clone-only S1s unless they’re made by Humboldt CSI. So, if you can get Forbidden Fruit seeds from them, you’re in for quite a treat.