Visit the Emerald Cup, the meeting place for 100% organic outdoor cannabis
The Zmoothiez team tested the world’s biggest 100% organic outdoor cannabis competition: the Emerald Cup in Santa Rosa, California! The one and only cannabis trade show with cannabis in all its forms and in profusion!
What is the Emerald Cup?
Founded in 2003 by Tim Blake, an activist and early grower, the event was a gathering of Californian organic pioneers to celebrate the harvest and elect the best grower. Today, the Emerald Cup, which attracts over 30,000 visitors, has become the annual rendezvous for the world’s best breeders and growers.
With over 1,000 entries in the competition, it is widely regarded as the global benchmark for cannabis cups. The Fourtwenteam is off to discover the Emerald Triangle, in search of the wonderful genetics and to meet the legends of this community. The rules of this competition are very strict and reserved exclusively for organic, outdoor-grown cannabis.
High-quality organic cannabis in competition
The products presented must contain no traces of pesticides, chemical fertilizers, solvents or pathogenic contaminants. A guarantee of quality for all medical users and an example to follow for all cannabis cups worldwide. The emerald Cup takes particular care to preserve terpenes, potency and appearance by storing samples in appropriate packaging and in ideal climatic conditions, thanks to the new version of the wine cellar, the weed cellar: the Curidor. This special care ensures greater precision in tasting and scoring by professional judges.
A panel of professionals
These cannabis experts are tasked with studying, smelling, tasting and scoring according to appearance, crystallization, fragrance, aroma and quality of psychotropic effects.
These judges can be compared to real oenologists. The competition is divided into 2 main families: THC and CBD, with several categories including: best flowers, best concentrates, best confectionery…
We were lucky enough to meet Swami and Nikki from Swami Select Farm, judges since the competition’s inception in 2003 and growers of organic, spiritual and medical cannabis lovingly cultivated under the sun, moon and stars. We asked them about the evolution of taste and quality since 2003.
The evolution of tastes in the cannabis market over the past 15 years.
In the early years, the trend was towards Diesel flavours. Then, fruity flavors became more fashionable and for a long time, Kush varieties dominated the competition.
We’re now seeing a return to tangy, fruity flavors. The market and science have come a long way, and back then nobody was talking about CBD, let alone terpenes. This invaluable knowledge has enabled us to improve the quality and properties of medical cannabis.
The site is huge and is divided into 2 parts: the first zone, accessible to all, brings together the informative and educational side with 48 hours of conferences on therapeutic cannabis and a permaculture garden demonstrating ecological cultivation techniques. The second is reserved for medical patients holding the Prop 215 medical card, which has enabled them to consume cannabis legally since 1996.
Cannabis therapy, recreational cannabis, an avalanche of tastes
Recreational cannabis has now been authorized in California since the beginning of the year.
The Cannacraft Village, the biggest tent in the world, brings together the biggest names in cannabis, including AficionadoSeeds, Frenchy Cannoli, Loompafarms, Bodhi Seeds, Exoticgenetix, Crockett Family, Cookies and Mr Nice, offering you the chance to smell, taste and buy the best genetics of the year.
A multitude of aromas and flavours that you’ve always dreamed of tasting, countless cannabis extracts with the craziest textures and colors, the largest collection of seeds with exotic names and the most sought-after elite clones: Vanilla Berry Pie, White Caviar, Crème Rosé, Yeti Fuel, Key Lime Pie, Banana Punch, Purple Punch in ultra-limited editions sold at a premium. A case in point: a pack of Dead Horse by Therealogkushman we bought for $200 went for $2250 at auction!
Concentrates, edibles, the ultimate in weed derivatives
Another tent, the Solventless Experience, dedicated to solvent-free extractions, illustrates the medical side of the event. Leading manufacturers of rosin presses (solvent-free cannabis oil) showcase their latest models, designed for both experienced amateurs and the most demanding professionals. Live demonstrations put them on stage, with rosin flowing freely and trimmers cutting kilos of weed in record time.
The height of American excess, a helicopter dropped parcels filled with weed and gifts, and an impressive concert line-up headlined by the Roots – an unforgettable experience!
THE Emerald Cup, inescapable
We’ve discovered a smoker’s paradise!
We met people from all over the world with whom we had a great time, including Marc from Terpcity, a Los Angeles grower with incredible flowers, Quentin, Aficionado’s French collaborator, and MauiMagicEdible, a Hawaiian grower for 20 years and creator of delicious psychoactive chocolates. We also bumped into a few Europeans like Mila the hash queen, Arjan from Greenhouse and the team from Barcelona clubs The Backyardbcn and La Kalada.
The Fourtwenteam would particularly like to thank:
the Emerald Cup for their highly professional organization and crazy atmosphere, Chris from the Biobizz USA team for our VIP passes and the magnificent flowers grown with the famous Biobizz organic brand, Leo from Aficionado Seeds, 16-time Cup champion with the famous Chemdawg special reserve, for welcoming us so warmly and showering us with seeds and the best flowers from his special, exclusive cuvée, Frenchy Cannoli, the master Haschischin, whose stand was taken by storm during the 48 hours of the event for a tasting of his latest collection and his incredible Hookah sessions, Swami and Nikki, pioneers of this community for their passion and sharing of their knowledge, Loomparfarms, the famous yeti for his super good vibe and for offering us all his new collection. And let’s not forget our artist friend, Samitoon, the king of cannabic connections.
Results are available on the Emerald Cup website. Follow us on Instagram @fourtwenteam.
Fourtwenteam
