Zikigai

Recently, Flyte Company dropped its very first batch of Zikigai onto the Oregon market. It’s a fairly new strain that is named after “Ikigai,” the Japanese concept of a person’s reason for being. So far, I’ve been seeing it pop up in a couple of cities, and I think we’re going to start to see a lot more of this strain coming around. 

Bred by Raw Genetics and dropped around October of last year, Zikigai combines Zkittlez and Archive’s Rainbow Belts 2.0. This is a Z brew with a touch of Moonbow flavoring. Talking with Flyte Co., they told me they sourced their original clone directly from the breeder, who also has a Red Zikigai pheno that Flyte is looking to run in the future. For now, they’re working on dropping some rosin on the market first.

Flyte Co. is a small, family-run farm that’s been operating out of Bend for almost two years now. Before that, its owner worked on Oregon’s recreational scene for eight years. The flavors I’ve seen so far have them running gear from other quality names, like Bloom Seeds and Exotic Genetix. At their micro-batch location, they grow under LEDs, but they told us they also have a mixed-light room where they grow some of this flower to test the difference. 

Zikigai makes some nice-looking buds that show off that Rainbow Belts 2.0 bag appeal but also gives off a very Z-forward presence in its taste and smell. Ground up, this has an aroma that’s like someone mashed up candy with a Tide Pod. 

While the dry pull has that bright candy flavor, lighting it up brings out a pronounced creaminess along with a hint of citrus that sits at the back of your mouth. 

The effects hit hard and fast, bringing on a euphoric body high that’s not too cerebral but allows a sort of calm focus on whatever task is at hand. Flyte Co. grows some noteworthy weed on a farm with more artisanal-sized batches. Don’t sleep when it hits the shelves of your local store.

rawgenetics.io | @flyte_co_oregon