Blue Dream defined an era in classic California stoner culture and was a first love for many. It might not be hype right now, but from 2003 to present day, it continues to be a best-selling, beloved cultivar that carries a sense of familiarity and comfort for those who experience its tantalizing effects.
Popularity peaked in the mid-2000s and waned over time in favor of gelatos, biscottis, and candiez strains. It became so popular that dupes were everywhere, everything labeled Blue Dream but lacked its distinctive flavors, aromas, and effects. Aficionados are in a never-ending search for the elusive Blue Dream of their memories. Finding a real and truly authentic cut is hard to come by.
Blue Dream is on the rise again. Finding an original Santa Cruz cut, or discovering a unique and rare cut, is simply a matter of knowing where to look.
On a sunny, hazy Sunday afternoon while a bluegrass jam band twanged tunes to toke by, Blue Dream lovers converged at a secret outdoor garden in Los Angeles for a Blue Dream Tasting Party, a farm-to-table food and weed tasting and comprehensive side-by-side flower tasting co-hosted and produced by Budist, Chef Wendy Zeng, and Christina W. of Fruit + Flower Co.
Photography by Jojo Valente @thejojosnap
“This is what craft needs.”
“Incredibly well curated event!” The real future direction of our industry.”
“You all brought the Dream to life. This event was, is and will be how cannabis wins hearts and minds and ultimately embodies the California cannabis lifestyle. The exceptional food, private setting, Budist experience, participants, sense of community, all of it… Bravo! We’re here for it.”
A fully immersive Blue Dream sampling, smelling, smoking, and tasting experience with paired culinary bites by Chef Wendy Zeng inspired by the nuanced flavors and aromas of the legendary cultivar. The tasting event on March 23, 2025 featured 13 different Blue Dreams from 12 farms up and down the California coast, in addition to exploring Blue Dream in edibles, vapes, and an ice water hash infused preroll.
Described as a perfect hybrid of a blueberry strain and haze, it’s described as similar to blueberries or blueberry muffins. “With a perfumy funk in its aroma, a hit of Blue Dream evokes tastes of earth and sweet berries that’s instantly familiar,” describes author and journalist Ellen Holland.
We all have our favorites, but there is no best. Simply the joy of exploration and appreciation of craft and community.
Find Blue Dream from the following farms and brands in California:
Find Blue Dream in Los Angeles at Cornerstone Wellness in Northeast Los Angeles, 3x Best Dispensary in LA Emerald Cup award-winner with the largest selection of organic, craft, sun-grown cannabis in SoCal.
Find Blue Dream in SF/Sonoma at Solful in Northern California, the Whole Foods of dispensaries that carries exclusively sustainable-grown, sun-grown, locally-sourced flower.
By no means a comprehensive list, share your favorite Blue Dream and where we can find it.
Originally published on Fruit + Flower Unfurled, a Substack newsletter + podcast exploring the intersection where culinary meets cannabis.
Christina Wong is a cannabis food, drink and travel writer, culinary artist, and creative producer in Los Angeles, California. She’s the Founder & CEO of Fruit + Flower Co.; writes Fruit + Flower Unfurled, a weekly newsletter for culinary cannabis enthusiasts; co-host of Mogu Magu, an AAPI culture, food, and cannabis collective; and Budist edible critic. Her work has been featured in High Times, Cherry Bombe, CannaCurious, and Kitchen Toke magazines.