Hey, bro! Today, I’ll tell you about one of the most popular, refreshing, and delicious cannabis strains, which you’ve probably already tried or at least heard of. Yes, we’re talking about Gelato.
The coming of the messiah: the backstory
First, as tradition demands, let’s meet the creator. Mario Guzman, whom many of us know as Mr. Sherbinski, founder of the Sherbinskis brand, began his cannabis journey fairly early. Mario was born and spent his childhood in Sacramento, California.
During his school years, Mario was a real athlete. He managed to excel at practically everything, whether baseball, rugby, or soccer. So much so that he even played on the same team as Tedy Bruschi, who later became an NFL star and won several Super Bowls. But despite his athletic potential, Mario was becoming increasingly interested in cannabis.
Although he dreamed of playing for the University of California, Berkeley, when he was young, life intervened, and Mario decided to take a spiritual journey. At 19, he decided to move to Pensacola, Florida, to train as a pastor at a Bible college. Just a year later, during a service, he heard a sermon that touched his soul. The pastor spoke about lost sheep and how each one matters to God. He said there were people in the room who could become a light in the darkness, in places even the pastor couldn’t enter.
Those words deeply affected Mario. He realized he could be a “light” outside the church walls, and that his mission was to preach, but not necessarily in the usual sense of the word.
Next came a move to the Bay Area, which introduced him to real cannabis culture. After moving to San Francisco, where he worked as a real estate agent, Mario discovered his passion for cannabis.
Gelato’s journey
Around 2007, Mario Guzman, a.k.a. Mr. They were introduced by Dog Boy, himself a popular figure in San Francisco’s cannabis scene and, incidentally, Sherbinski’s kickboxing student.
That’s how the guys got Pink Panties.
Now Sherbinski and Jigga had exclusive, high-quality ingredients in their hands: Sunset Sherbet and GSC Thin Mint. The result of that work was the seeds of the legendary Gelato.
“Gelato is probably the best genetics I’ve worked with,” Sherbinski says. But when we sowed these seeds, every pheno was outstanding.”
Each phenotype had a unique aroma and growth characteristics.
This practice also appeared in the strain names. “People know them as 25, 33, and 41,” Mario laughs. Like calling children by their numbers.” The project included 25 phenotypes, with 75 already eliminated.
“I wasn’t expecting such diversity. We put on a real feast for the eyes with all the phenotypes,” he says in one interview.
Gelato’s characteristics
Let’s try to figure out their differences.
Gelato #25
It is known for being rich in the terpenes myrcene (0.42%), pulegone (0.33%), and caryophyllene (0.25%). These give the plants a floral aroma and a sweet flavor that many compare to strawberries and mango.
Gelato #33
Although “Larry Bird” is a synonym commonly applied to all Gelato strains, #33 is the actual phenotype named for the legendary NBA player’s jersey number. Thirty-three is also visually beautiful, with buds that can range from rich green to deep purple, purple shades appearing more often in this strain than in many others. Incidentally, Gelato #33 is a parent of Ice Cream Cake. High Times magazine named #33 the best.
Gelato #41
Gelato #41, also known as Bacio Gelato, became popular after taking first place in the Indica category at the High Times California Cannabis Cup. In laboratory testing, beta-caryophyllene (0.81%) was the most common of the 16 dominant terpenes; limonene (0.44%) and alpha-humulene (0.23%) were also present.
Gelato #42
Gelato #42, also known as Dolce Gelato, is a balanced hybrid leaning slightly toward indica. It contains the greatest amounts of beta-caryophyllene and limonene, but has a very broad terpene profile.
Gelato #45
Also known as Michael Jordan, this is a real slam dunk!
Each phenotype is impressive in its own way.
Runtz
People love it for its incredibly fruity flavor profile and smell reminiscent of sweet candy. No surprise that Runtz was named Leafly Strain of the Year in 2020. Purple Caper Seeds released the same strain under the name Gelato Zkittlez.
Biscotti
The strain’s abundant trichome coating gives it special appeal.
Ice Cream Cake
Ice Cream Cake has a creamy flavor with sweet notes of vanilla and sugary pastries.
In the cannabis world, where a passion for discovery and innovation comes first, Sherbinski’s story is a vivid example of how careful experiments and dedication to your craft, with a little chance mixed in, can produce outstanding results. It’s another reminder that with true passion and hard work, you can reach incredible heights and contribute to the industry’s culture and development.
Sources: publicly available publications about the company and the strain.