Walk into Haze Buds in Chiang Mai, and the first thing that hits you isn’t the sight of the jars; it’s the smell.
It’s a complex, invisible cloud. To the uninitiated, it might just smell like “weed.” But to the connoisseur—to you—it is a symphony. You catch a whiff of ripe mango. Then, a sharp hit of diesel fuel. Then, a subtle undertone of fresh pine needles or baking vanilla cake.
For a long time, the cannabis conversation was dominated by one number: THC. Everyone wanted the highest percentage. They wanted to get as high as possible, as fast as possible.
But the culture is shifting. We are moving from the era of “Moonshine” to the era of “Fine Wine.” We are realizing that the character of the high—whether it makes you feel energetic, creative, relaxed, or sleepy—is largely dictated not by THC, but by Terpenes.
Terpenes are the aromatic oils secreted by the cannabis plant. They are what give Orange Cream Pop its zest and OG Kush its earthiness. But they do more than just smell good. Through the “Entourage Effect,” they actually steer the high.
Today, we are ignoring the THC percentages for a moment. We are organizing the Haze Buds menu by Flavor Profile. Whether you have a sweet tooth, a craving for tropical fruit, or a love for the pungent “gas” of the old school, we have a jar for you.
Here is your guide to the best tasting strains in Chiang Mai.
1. The “Sweet & Dessert” Profile (The Bakery)
The Vibe: Indulgent, Comforting, Smooth. Primary Terpenes: Caryophyllene, Linalool, Limonene (in creamy expressions).
This category has exploded in popularity over the last few years. Breeders have managed to isolate genetics that smell uncannily like baked goods, candy, and ice cream. These strains are perfect for after-dinner sessions or lazy Sundays. They tend to taste “purple” and creamy.
The Headliner: Oreo Big Stuff (Indica)
The Smell: Open this jar, and you will swear you are smelling a bag of crushed chocolate cookies and vanilla cream. It has a deep, rich earthiness that mimics dark chocolate, layered with a sweet, doughy finish.
The Taste: The smoke is thick and velvety. On the exhale, you get distinct notes of cream and roasted nuts.
The Effect: Just like eating a whole sleeve of cookies, this strain is heavy. It is a “comfort” strain. It wraps you in a warm blanket of relaxation. It is perfect for movie nights or treating insomnia.
The Contender: Jelly Donutz (Sativa)
The Smell: While Oreo is dark chocolate, Jelly Donutz is bright, sugary confection. It smells like strawberry jam and fried dough. It’s sweet, but with a slight tartness that keeps it from being cloying.
The Effect: Don’t let the sweetness fool you; this is a high-octane Sativa (30% THC). It gives you a sugar rush of energy without the crash. It’s the perfect “wake and bake” for people who like their morning coffee with a side of pastry.
The Wildcard: Cashew Sundae (Indica)
The Smell: This is a rare profile. It combines a nutty, savory scent with a creamy, fermented fruit sweetness. It smells sophisticated, like a high-end dessert at a fancy restaurant rather than a candy bar.
2. The “Fruity & Tropical” Profile (The Jungle)
The Vibe: Refreshing, Energetic, Bright. Primary Terpenes: Myrcene (Mango), Limonene (Citrus), Terpinolene (Apples/Lilac).
This is the sound of Thailand. Tropical, humid, and bursting with life. These strains usually lean towards Sativa or Hybrid. They are “daytime” smokes that make you feel like you are sitting on a beach, even if you are just sitting on your balcony in Nimman.
The Headliner: Pineapple Express (Sativa)
The Smell: Legendary for a reason. It punches you in the face with fresh cut pineapple, cedar, and mango. It is incredibly sharp and acidic in the best way possible.
The Taste: It leaves a lingering sweetness on the tongue, like you just drank fruit juice.
The Effect: Happy. That is the only word for it. It lifts the mood instantly. It is the best strain for outdoor activities—hiking the Monk’s Trail or kayaking on the Ping River.
The Contender: Orange Cream Pop (Hybrid)
The Smell: Imagine peeling a tangerine. That mist of zest that sprays into the air? That is exactly what this strain smells like. It mixes that sharp citrus zest with a creamy vanilla undertone (hence the “Cream Pop”).
The Effect: It’s a social lubricant. The Limonene terpene is a known anti-anxiety agent. This strain makes you talkative, giggly, and open.
The Wildcard: Miracle Fruit (Sativa)
The Smell: This one is harder to pin down. It’s a fruit salad. You get notes of berries, lemon, and something exotic like lychee or mangosteen. It is a complex, mysterious sweetness that keeps you going back to the jar to try and identify the specific fruit.
3. The “Gas & Fuel” Profile (The Garage)
The Vibe: Intense, Pungent, Serious. Primary Terpenes: Myrcene, Caryophyllene, Humulene.
For the old-school smokers, “fruit” is for kids. They want Gas. They want weed that smells like a petrol station, a skunk, or a damp forest floor. These profiles are aggressive. They sting the nostrils. They are often associated with the strongest, heaviest highs.
The Headliner: Bangkok OG (Hybrid)
The Smell: Pure chemical funk. It smells like diesel fuel and pine-sol. It is loud. If you open this jar in a coffee shop, everyone will turn around. It has that classic “dank” aroma that screams potency.
The Effect: A heavy-hitter. It provides a strong body stone that radiates from the chest outwards. It’s great for pain relief and appetite stimulation.
The Contender: Trop Cherry Gas 14 (Sativa)
The Smell: This is a modern hybrid of the two worlds. You get the sour, rotten-fruit smell of the cherry, but it is buried under a heavy blanket of industrial gas. It’s a “sour diesel” profile for the modern era.
The Effect: Despite the heavy smell, the effects are surprisingly cerebral. It creates a “tunnel vision” focus that is great for working or gaming.
The Classic: OG Kush (Indica)
The Smell: The godfather of gas. Earth, pine, wood, and fuel. It smells like a wet forest after a rainstorm. It is grounded and spicy.
The Effect: The ultimate stress buster. It doesn’t just relax your muscles; it relaxes your mind. It stops the racing thoughts.
4. The “Herbal & Mint” Profile (The Spa)
The Vibe: Cooling, Crisp, Sophisticated. Primary Terpenes: Pinene, Eucalyptol, Terpinolene.
This is a profile that is often overlooked but is gaining traction among sophisticated smokers. These strains don’t smell like food or fuel; they smell like medicine (in a good way), herbs, and spices. They are refreshing and cleanse the palate.
The Headliner: Alien Mint (Indica)
The Smell: This is a unique sensory experience. It has a distinct “cooling” aroma, similar to fresh mint, eucalyptus, or sage. It feels cold in the nose. It’s combined with a spicy, peppery undertone that gives it a savory edge.
The Taste: The smoke is incredibly smooth. You actually get a sensation of menthol on the exhale.
The Effect: Deeply relaxing but with mental clarity. It’s like a cold compress for your brain. It numbs the body but keeps the mind alert enough to meditate or watch a movie.
The Contender: Purple Thai (Sativa)
The Smell: A classic Landrace profile. It smells floral, spicy, and tea-like. It has notes of lemongrass and dried herbs. It lacks the aggressive sweetness of modern strains, offering something more subtle and organic.
The Effect: A gentle, buzzing energy. It feels very clean.
How to Taste Weed Like a Pro (The Sommelier Guide)
Now that you know what to look for, how do you actually taste it? Smoking a joint often destroys the delicate terpenes with heat. To truly appreciate the flavor of strains like Jelly Donutz or Alien Mint, follow this protocol:
1. The “Dry Pull” Before you light your joint, put it to your lips and take a deep drag of air through the unlit flower. This is the purest flavor you will get. You will taste the raw terpenes on your tongue.
What to look for: The sweetness of the dough, the sharpness of the citrus.
2. The Retro-Hale When you are smoking, don’t just blow the smoke out of your mouth. Push a small amount of smoke out through your nose (retro-hale). Our sense of taste is 80% smell. By passing the smoke over your olfactory sensors in the nose, you will unlock flavors you missed on the inhale. This is where the “Gas” and “Mint” notes live.
3. Lower the Temperature If you really want to chase flavor, use a dry herb vaporizer set to a low temperature (around 170°C – 180°C). This boils the terpenes without burning the plant matter. The flavor of Pineapple Express in a vaporizer is life-changing—it tastes like warm pineapple juice.
Conclusion: Trust Your Nose
The best way to choose a strain isn’t to look at the THC percentage on the menu. The best way is to come into Haze Buds. Ask our budtenders to open the jars. Close your eyes. Take a deep breath.
Your body knows what it needs. If the smell of Banana Melt makes your mouth water, that’s the strain for you. If the sharp sting of Bangkok OG makes you feel alert, go with that. Don’t just smoke weed. Taste it.
Find the flavor that matches your palate in our Menu section.


