For this year’s Tannins and Terpenes special, Wyatt Early and Shannon Sweeney teamed up to bring you hyper-localized pairings that everyone in Maryland can enjoy. Whether you indulge in beer and wine or stick to nonalcoholic beverages and even baked goods, this special has a pairing everyone can get down with. Each and every pairing was done with heavy consideration for Maryland’s cannabis products and local businesses that you can feel good about supporting.
Pairing One
Tannins
Tiesta Tea Black Thai Tropical Mango Citrus Black Tea
tiestatea.com | @tiestatea
The Black Thai Tropical tea is a standout blend that merges bold black tea with dried apple, orange and papaya chunks for a vibrant, fruity experience. Black teas are known for their higher caffeine and tannin levels, contributing to their robust flavor and pronounced astringency compared to green or white teas. The tropical citrus notes introduce limonene, enhancing the tea’s complexity. Enjoy it hot or cold!
Terpenes
Curio Wedding Cake Live Rosin
84.5% Total Cannabinoids and 8.11% Total Terpenes
curiowellness.com | @curiowellnessbrand
Curio Wellness enters the loose concentrate market with a product everyone in the Maryland market has come to love: live hash rosin. The smell and flavor of this jar are sweet, fruity and highly aromatic. On the exhale, I sensed strong notes of baked goods, like a freshly baked blueberry pie.
The Pairing
The tea’s fruitiness accompanies the slight fruitiness of the hash rosin while balancing out the baked-good, cologne-like fragrance and flavor. The caffeine content of the tea, paired with the sedating effects of the rosin, created a blend that left my mind and body feeling a clean, level-headed high. Tea and hash rosin fall into the same category for me in terms of the serene feeling they provide, making this a pairing that came easily to us.
Pairing Two
Tannins
Big Cork Vineyards | 2022 Muscat Canelli
bigcorkvineyards.com | @bigcorkvineyards
Big Cork Vineyards is a testament to the art of winemaking, nestled on 100 rolling acres of fertile land in Washington County, Maryland. As an estate-grown vineyard and tasting room, Big Cork cultivates 18 varieties, producing over 25 unique wines under the expert guidance of winemaker Dave Collins.
Among these is the Muscat Canelli, a varietal from one of the oldest and most widely planted grape families in the world, which thrives particularly well in Maryland’s terroir. Known for its intense floral notes, Muscat Canelli is rich in the terpene linalool, also found in lavender and certain Cannabis strains.
One of the unique aspects of this wine is its production process. Muscat Canelli grapes are harvested with a naturally high sugar content, or Brix. During production, Dave allows the fermentation to continue until the wine becomes completely dry. As the yeast consumes the sugar, it releases alcohol, so the higher the Brix, the longer the fermentation. This extended fermentation process ultimately determines the wine’s residual sugar and ABV. The result is a wine that captures mouthwatering aromas and flavor characteristics of a Muscat yet finishes with an unexpectedly crisp and dry profile.
Terpenes
Fade Co. Hash Burger Flower
27.37% Total Cannabinoids | .9% Total Terpenes
thefadecompany.com | @fadecoofficial
Fade Co.’s Hash Burger is a cross between Han Solo Hash Plant and Double Burger. For those who appreciate the depth of a Hash Plant landrace, this strain delivers. The buds are well-sized and perfectly cured, a consistent hallmark of Fade Co.’s flower. While the terpene content is just under 1%, don’t let that fool you; this strain’s flavonoids do the heavy lifting. The aroma is a blend of sweet and earthy notes, while the flavor profile surprises with pungent citrus and woody undertones.
The Pairing
Pairing Hash Burger with a wine that complements rather than overwhelms its subtle flavor profile was essential. Bold reds were ruled out immediately due to their strong tannic presence. Instead, the 2022 Muscat Canelli from Big Cork was the perfect choice. As I sip the wine, its pseudo-sweet aroma mingles with the linalool in the flower, drawing out delicate notes of melon and stone fruits. The contrast between the crisp, light fruitiness of the wine and the earthy, robust characteristics of the Hash Burger creates a balanced and refined experience that would appeal to both connoisseurs and novices alike.
Pairing Three
Tannins
Cushwa Brewing Co. Trust Fund Hippie IPA
cushwabrewingco.com | @cushwabrewingco
Cushwa Brewing Company is a brewery and taproom located along the C&O Canal in Williamsport, MD. There is also a second location in Columbia. Its mantra is simple: Exceptional Beer. Positive Impact. Respect.
Trust Fund Hippie is a New England hazy IPA brewed with Citra, Simcoe and Amarillo hops. Both hops and Cannabis belong to the Cannabaceae family, which explains their shared characteristics. This hop blend imparts resinous, bitter aromas that can resemble Cannabis due to its high levels of the terpene β-myrcene. Unlike traditional IPAs, which are often bitter and clear, hazy IPAs offer a softer mouthfeel and a smooth finish. The Citra hops in this brew add layers of pineapple, mango and citrus flavors.
Terpenes
Beezle Extracts Lemon G Diamonds and Sauce
84.97% Total Cannabinoids and 8.51% Total Terpenes
beezlebrands.com/beezle-extracts | @beezlebrands_md
This is one of those strains that reminds me why I love Cannabis so much, due to its expressive fragrance and flavor. When the lid comes off, the entire room fills with a sour, citrusy scent reminiscent of lemon Pledge. On the exhale, the fragrance blasts my tastebuds with sour lemon terps that remind me of a lemon-flavored Warhead candy.
The Pairing
These two are a match made in heaven. Blending the smooth mouthfeel of the beer with the transcendent citrusy notes going on in both the hash and the beverage creates a symphony of flavor. They settle each other out while complementing in every way, from the smell of both entering your nostrils to the flavor that combines on your palate.
Pairing Four
Tannins
Wild Bay Watermelon Hops Kombucha
wildbaykombucha.com | @wildbaykombucha
Wild Bay Kombucha isn’t just another kombucha brand; it’s a story of community and sustainability. Launched in February 2015 by three friends in a small corner of a Baltimore juice shop, Wild Bay has expanded rapidly. Now, you’ll find its kombucha on the shelves of over 700 grocery stores, cafes, bars and restaurants — including Whole Foods Market. Its mission goes far beyond making kombucha; it’s dedicated to nurturing a healthy community and protecting the environment, with a strong commitment to the Chesapeake Bay Foundation. The Watermelon Hops Kombucha combines the sweetness of watermelon with the bitterness of Citra hops, finishing with a very light effervescence. It’s the perfect nonalcoholic toast to bid farewell to summer, offering a unique flavor profile that stands out in the crowded kombucha market.
Terpenes
Nature’s Heritage Papaya Melonz Live Budder
83.93% Total Cannabinoids | 10.33% Total Terpenes
naturesheritagecannabis.com | @naturesheritage_
Papaya Melonz is a mouthwatering cross between OZ Melon and Papaya strains. In my experience, anything bred with Original Z presents a noticeable artificial berry and sugary citrus aroma. It was oddly reminiscent of those sugar-coated, fruit-shaped candies, or perhaps even dehydrated sweetened mangoes — a likely combination of the betaβ-myrcene and limonene dominant in this strain. The texture of the budder is ideal: smooth and scoopable without being overly saucy, even with total terpenes over 10%. When smoked, the flavor shifts to highlight the peppery notes of the Papaya, providing a satisfying body high. The packaging deserves a special mention as well. It’s rare to find something that is both aesthetically pleasing and functional, but Nature’s Heritage has achieved just that, delivering a product that is as visually appealing as it is effective.
The Pairing
The kombucha, with its refreshing ratio of sweet to bitter to bubbly, compounds nicely with the terpene-rich profile of the Papaya Melonz to create a sensory experience. The betaβ-myrcene and limonene in the budder amplify the Citra hops used to brew the kombucha, creating a unique flavor combo that lingers on the taste buds. I found this pairing to be very relaxing on both the body and mind.
Pairing Five
Tannins
Charlottetown Farm in Monkton, Maryland Cherry Goat Cheese Cheesecake
charlottetownfarm.com | @charlottetownfarm
This uniquely crafted cheesecake is locally made in Monkton, Maryland, providing a new experience for cheesecake lovers. The slight bitterness of the goat cheese blends with the sweetness of the cheesecake and cherries to take the senses on a rollercoaster. I have not always been a huge fan of goat cheese, but I can rarely make it home before eating the entire slice with my hands. It comes in several varieties, including mixed berries, caramel, chocolate, and my favorite, the cherry, which is loaded with tannins. Find it daily at Hidden Waters Farm in Pikesville, Maryland.
Terpenes
SunMed Growers Cherry Pie
29.68% Total Cannabinoids | 2.46% Total Terpenes
sunmedgrowers.com | @sunmed.growers
True to its name, this strain emits strong scents of sweet cherries and baked goods. On the exhale, the sweet, berry-like flavor continues and is accompanied by some gassiness. It seems that SunMed has really nailed this strain down and dialed in the genetics, making it a wonderful representation of their growing skills.
The Pairing
Sweet tooth lovers will flock to this pairing, initially smoking this sweet and delicious flower before getting the munchies and diving into the cheesecake. I smoked a joint while eating the cheesecake, and the cherry flavors were bouncing off of each other and divulging flavors onto my palate that blended in perfect harmony. The bitterness of the goat cheese also mixed nicely with the gassy backend of the flower, rounding out this pairing in a perfect sensory compilation.
Pairing Six
Tannins
Vent Coffee Roasters Summer Situation Coffee
ventcoffee.com | @ventcoffeeroasters
Vent Coffee Roasters is a local company located in the Union Collective on West 41st Street in Baltimore. We really wanted to dial in the local pairings for this issue without compromising the integrity of the blend, and Vent allowed us to do just that. The most notable flavors and aromas from this coffee are stone fruit and peach tea with a light body and medium acidity. Island vibes can be felt when drinking this coffee, making the name ideal for the best time to drink it — during the summer.
Terpenes
RYTHM Frozen Margarita Flower
24.35% Total Cannabinoids | 3.25% Total Terpenes
rythm.com | @rythm_official
As far as fragrance and flavor are concerned, this strain is perfectly named, bringing out strong aromas and tastes of sweet and fruity frozen beverages. It’s worth noting that the aroma is complex, with back-end notes of diesel and limonene in the mix. At nearly 1% limonene, it’s surprising that this flavor doesn’t dominate the profile more, but the mix of terpenes feels perfectly balanced.
The Pairing
Both coffee and Cannabis can produce a happy and sociable feeling, and blending the two did just that for me. From a flavor perspective, the fruity flavors and aromas in the coffee and the Cannabis churn together, creating an extremely enjoyable mouthfeel. From a high perspective, the coffee gave me clean energy without making me feel racy, and the Cannabis gave me a creative euphoria that benefited from a little uptick of energy from the coffee.
