Since we launched the Leaf Bowl competitions in late 2021, the Leaf staff all agreed that we needed to move beyond the three traditional flower categories of Indica, Sativa and Hybrid. So much progress had been made in understanding the numerous terpenes and other compounds that give Cannabis cultivars their distinctive aromas and flavors that those old classifications had become outdated for judging purposes. And so, we created our own flower categories based on flavor profiles.
But soon after, while judging hydrocarbon concentrates for the Emerald Cup, I learned about the terpene classification system developed by PhytoFacts and SC Labs. And while the categories we came up with were very similar, their categories were based on a detailed analysis of thousands of different strain samples. So last year, with SC Labs’ blessing, we adopted their data-driven classifications as the official flower categories of the Leaf Bowl, with the addition of two of our own nonterpene-based groupings: CBD and Open Category.
Ideally, all flower samples should be entered into the flavor category that best fits their terpene profile. That way, our judges can rate each entry against other entries with similar characteristics. For anyone hoping to enter or judge the Leaf Bowl next year and beyond, here is a brief overview of our flower classifications:
Citrus (N/A)
The most recent addition to their classification system, this category is based less on terpene dominance and more on the prevalence of an orangey-smelling compound dubbed “tropicanna sulfur,” which often overpowers the terpenes.
Flavor/aroma: orange, tangerine
Typical cultivars: Tangie, Mimosa, Forbidden Fruit
Dessert (Hybrid)
Cultivars featuring a codominance of caryophyllene and limonene.
Flavor/aroma: spicy, sweet, doughy
Typical cultivars: Girl Scout Cookies, various Cake and Gelato strains
Gas, OG & Chem (Hybrid)
Closely related to Desserts, cultivars in this category also feature a codominance of caryophyllene and limonene, but with the addition of a heavy myrcene presence. Many strains in this classification also feature high levels of thiols, the compounds that give Cannabis its fuel-like aroma.
Flavor/aroma: sweet, gassy, peppery
Typical cultivars: OG Kush, Chemdog, Sour Diesel
Jack & Haze (Sativa)
Most closely associated with what we’ve historically considered “sativas,” these cultivars are dominated mainly by a combination of myrcene, caryophyllene and terpinolene.
Flavor/aroma: piney, woodsy, fruity
Typical cultivars: Jack Herer, Trainwreck, various Hazes
Sweets & Dreams (Indica)
These cultivars exhibit high levels of myrcene, accompanied by secondary codominance of pinene and caryophyllene.
Flavor/aroma: sweet, hoppy, herbaceous
Typical cultivars: Blue Dream, Grandaddy Purp, Cherry AK
Tropical/Floral (Indica)
These cultivars have high levels of ocimene co-dominated by myrcene and/or caryophyllene.
Flavor/aroma: tropical fruit, flowers, herbs
Typical cultivars: Hawaiian, In the Pines, most Pineapple strains
Exotic (N/A)
Cultivars with unusual terpene combinations that don’t fit into any of the previously outlined categories, including those with high levels of less-common terps like ocimene, humulene or linalool, among others.
Flavor/aroma: varied
Typical cultivars: N/A
CBD (N/A)
Strains of any flavor profile that have a significant percentage of CBD.
Flavor/aroma: varied
Typical cultivars: Charlotte’s Web, Ringo’s Gift, Cannatonic
Open Category (N/A)
This is a catch-all category we created for competitors who don’t know which category their entry belongs in or who prefer to have their entry compete in a broader field rather than against similar strains.
Special thanks to PhytoFacts and SC Labs for their outstanding work in developing these profiles and allowing us to utilize them for our competition.
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