Edibles—or cannabis-infused foods, candy, or beverages—have come a long way from your neighbor’s mystery brownies or homemade gummies from a friend who ‘knows a guy.’ And while there is still a tremendous amount of inequality in the commercial cannabis industry to be rectified, we recognize the areas where regulation has had a positive impact.
One such benefit is consumers knowing more about product strains and dosages. Each batch of commercial cannabis products is lab-tested and requires highly specific labeling and tracking. More regulations regarding packaging are in process, so be on the lookout for packages like these to become more monochrome and simple.
But you’re here for the flavor, the texture, the sensory experience. As Food & Drink Editor, I wouldn’t waste any of our time suggesting something that doesn’t taste good, just for the sake of covering an edible during April.
I selected Panda Chocolates for their quality chocolate product, as well as for Alex Paulakovich. Finding a local and minority or woman-owned cannabis manufacturer to feature was a challenge to say the least. I came across Paulakovich, who worked her way up from a bud trimmer to Vice President of Nuthera during her lifetime career in cannabis. She guided me on a tour of Nuthera Labs where Panda Chocolates and other marijuana products are made.
I felt like Veruca Salt touring a science lab with a Willy Wonka touch. Seeing the velvety chocolate being mixed, the gem-like gummies being tossed in sugar, the multiple types of cannabis extraction methods… I wanted it all.
These locally-made Panda Chocolate bars are impressive. However, there’s a catch: Depending on your tolerance, you may not be able to enjoy as much of the bar as you’d like. The chocolate bars come in 100 and 300-mg packages, meaning each chocolate square has approximately 10 or 30mg of THC.
As someone with a 3-5mg sweet spot, this means that my bites were very small and enjoyed over a few days. My very first note when tasting these is that it could be very difficult to stick to your limits with something this delicious.
First up is the Campfire S’mores flavor. This brown and white layered bar has a smooth chocolate flavor, reminiscent of a Hershey’s bar but with slightly more snap. I could not detect much of the other s’mores elements, besides a hint of graham cracker.
A weedy scent is there, but not overwhelming. I still suggest letting your piece(s) air out and rest on a plate for a few moments.
The newest flavor from Panda Chocolates is Orange Cream Soda. This instantly became a favorite of mine. To be honest, it was hyped up by a few employees at Nuthera and Fresh Karma (where I picked these up) so I was eager but still tempered my expectations.
The hype was real. The white chocolate base is luxuriously smooth and rich without being overly sweet. The soft orange cream flavoring reminded me of Froot Loops cereal. Embedded in each small bite of the bar are pockets of carbonated sugar. They give the airiest, most satisfying crunch. Then, as the bite makes its way to the back of the mouth, residual pops burst like gentle Pop-Rocks.
As for the resulting feeling from the THC, it will vary between persons. I reliably feel a sense of physical relaxation and grounding, while my mind enjoys a level of focus and singular attentiveness, not experienced in my standard brain chemistry.
Alex Paulakovich, Vice President at Nuthera, says that, while gummies rule the edibles market, chocolates are a playful and familiar comfort food option. “It holds more complex flavor than gummies; And similar to why we reach for ice cream, you get that little bit of chocolate dopamine release,” she says.
Beyond having a comfort-food option for edibles, Paulakovich also knows that supporting local is important to consumers. “This is all grown, created, and manufactured in Missouri. We specifically did it that way, rather than bringing in outside brands or elements, because Missourians have a lot of pride and they want to support local things, especially Kansas City.” However, the Midwest isn’t known as a cacao hub so Seth Galusha, Director of Product Development, sources the smooth chocolate through Barry Callebaut, an industry leader in sustainable and ethical cacao.
Panda Chocolates are available at Fresh Karma Dispensaries.
Nutera’s Panda chocolates are essential for any cannabis consumer looking to get their fix through sweet treats. Read More