The Golden Goat strain is a popular sativa-dominant hybrid. Here’s all you need to know about its history, its appearance, flavor and aroma, its cannabinoids and terpenes, its side effects and medical benefits, and its cultivation process.
Strain History
Here’s all that’s publicly known about the Golden Goat strain’s genetics and origin.
Genetics
A Sativa-dominant strain (specifically 65% sativa and 35% indica), Golden Goat is a cross between the female Hawaiian-Romulan (which is itself a cross between, you guessed it, Hawaiian and the Star Trek inspired Romulan), and Mr. Dank’s female Island Sweet Skunk (which is a cross between Sweet Pink Grapefruit and Skunk #1).
The strains which have the most in common with Golden Goat include XJ-13 (also known as XJ13, or XJ Thirteen), Slow Lane, Amnesia Lemon Haze, and Lemon Meringue (also known as Lemon Meringue Pie).
Origin
The Golden Goat strain reportedly originated in Topeka, Kansas, and was (and we’ll phrase this in the politest way possible) an accident. Some would call that fate! Others would, far more accurately, call it non-human pollination.
It was first made publicly available back in Colorado in 2009, and it’s still its most popular in said state, along with Blue Dream (which dominates most major markets), Durban Poison, and Original Glue (formerly known as Gorilla Glue).
Strain Appearance
It’s clear just by looking at Golden Goat that it’s of Hawaiian origin. This is due to its distinct colors, which are mostly various shades of light green, as well as some pink or red, making it seem almost neon in appearance.
Interestingly, the variety of these shades is due to cold weather activating the pigments called anthocyanins, during the strain’s vegetative period.
Its thick coating of amber trichomes lend it its particularly frosty look- and its name!
Strain Flavor
Its most widely reported flavors include earthy, lemon, and honey, although users have reported a wide range of other flavors.
Just a handful of these include apple, blueberry, cheese, grapefruit, lavender, mango, pine, plum, rose, sage, and vanilla. And if your nose is trained enough to spot all of those, you should be smelling stuff professionally.
Its smoke can be acrid, and the taste isn’t for everyone- some even speculate that the ‘goat’ in the name is referring to the taste, rather than its frosty amber sheen!
Strain Aroma
The aromas of the Golden Goat strain are as complex as they are strong. As is the case with most strains of Hawaiian landrace descent (such as Mango), the primary scents are tropical and fruity.
There’s also undeniable undertones of sourness, which is most likely due to one of its parents, Island Sweet Skunk. Burning the buds will activate spicy and earthy aromas, too.
Strain Cannabinoids
A strain’s cannabinoids are the naturally occurring compounds found within the cannabis plant. The most abundant of these is THC (tetrahydrocannabinol). THC is the primary psychoactive component found in cannabis.
Golden Goat’s THC level has a fairly consistent average in the low 20’s, and its highest reported count is 23%. If you’re not aware, that’s pretty high!
The average THC level found in most Dutch ‘coffee shops’ is around 16%. Its CBD (cannabidiol) level is just a smidge more than most other strains with such a high THC level, sitting at roughly 1.07%. Its highest recorded CBD level was just 1.42%.
Strain Terpenes
Terpenes are the aromatic compounds found in a variety of plants. They are most synonymous with cannabis because of their high concentrations within these plants. The terpenes are what gives a strain its characteristic scents.
The most abundant terpene present in Golden Goat is terpinolene. Terpinolene is what brings out the fresh, fruity aromas, as well as florals, pine, herbs, and citrus. This terpene is also found in cumin, nutmeg, and lilacs.
Golden Goat’s second most and third most abundant terpenes are caryophyllene, which brings out aromas of pepper, and myrcene, which brings out herbal scents and is the most common terpene found in cannabis plants.
Strain Side Effects
When considering getting into a strain with such a high THC level (23%, remember!), it’s important to be aware of just how it’s going to hit you. Obviously user experience varies, but the following are the most widely reported side effects of the Golden Goat strain, both those positive and those negative.
Golden Goat has been described as a primarily euphoric high. Users report to have experienced an increase in energy and happiness.
The strain has also been referred to as mildly psychedelic. Its effects tend to take a while to kick in, which is why it’s commonly known as a ‘creeper’ strain. If you’re getting impatient, reject the impulse to start increasing your dosage. All in good time!
Users first experience heightened perception of visual and auditory stimuli. If you’re not too experienced with weed and that sounds like a lot, then a small dosage is highly recommended. However, even if you’re very experienced, it’s important not to overdo a strain like this.
Once the sativa effects have begun to wear off, the indica will start kicking in, and you’ll feel joyous relaxation. You’ll also avoid couch lock (if you’ve taken a small enough dose); this strain is far more focused on relaxation than sedation.
As with all strains of weed, it’s important to be aware of the potential negative side effects. The main ones here, as is the case with most strains, are simply dry mouth and dry eyes. These can be easily remedied with a glass of water.
It’s always important when smoking any strains to remain hydrated before, during, and after. This will also help alleviate any potential headaches that might have otherwise struck you the next day.
Some users have also reported paranoia as a result of Golden Goat, but these effects are nothing to worry about in the long term, especially if you haven’t overindulged.
If you have overindulged and are feeling nervous or paranoid… this should probably go without saying, but don’t smoke more!
Medical Benefits
As with other strains of its ilk, Golden Goat can also offer medical benefits to users. Due to the uplifting and relaxing high, it’s no wonder this strain can help with depression, anxiety, and even (in some reported cases) post-traumatic stress disorder.
A more substantial dose of Golden Goat would also likely bring on a more sedative effect, but there are other strains out there more tailored to dealing with insomnia (in smaller doses).
While Golden Goat isn’t as effective in dealing with physical pain as other strains, it’s still reasonably efficient when it comes to mild chronic aches. If medical marijuana doctors were allowed to prescribe specific strains, it’s a safe bet that this would be high on their list.
Strain Review
While the taste isn’t for everyone and it probably won’t suit someone new to marijuana, this is certainly a strain worth trying.
If you’re after a particularly euphoric then relaxing high, and are willing to wait longer than usual for it to kick in, this might be the strain for you. The medical benefits of Golden Goat alone are enough to make it worthy of our recommendation.
Users report that the Golden Goat strain pairs best with yoga, people watching, and exploring nature. To top all this off, it’s also supposed to be a pretty great hangover cure!
Strain Grow Info
The following is all that’s publicly available regarding the cultivation process of Golden Goat. When it comes to cultivating this strain, growers tend to rate its difficulty as moderate. With this in mind, it’s not really recommended for those new to cultivating cannabis.
Some strains recommended for first-time growers are Durban Poison, Northern Lights (formerly known as CI #5 F1), Jack Herer (also known as The Jack, Premium Jack, and Platinum Jack), White Widow, and Mango Kush.
Strain Seeds
The Golden Goat strain is clone-only, meaning growers are unable to obtain seeds. Instead, growers must find clippings of a mature female Golden Goat plant.
Strain Flowering Time
Golden Goat can be grown both indoors and outdoors, but it can grow as high as 78 inches, so growing it outdoors is the safest bet. If you are unable to grow the plant outdoors, make sure there’s more than enough space indoors before beginning the cultivation process.
Because of the plant’s height, and the flowering nodes being so widely spaced, it is usually not essential that the grower trims the broad fan leaves while the plant is in its vegetative state.
The ideal climate for growing Golden Goat lies between 72 and 80 degrees Fahrenheit. Naturally, if you do decide to grow the plants indoors, these conditions must be replicated.
The flowering time can be substantial, averaging somewhere between 9 to 11 weeks. For outdoor growing, the ideal time for harvesting is late October.
Luckily, the Golden Goat strain is highly resistant to disease, and will need just a moderate level of feeding.
Strain Yield
With the right amount of attention and care, the Golden Goat strain should yield roughly 14 ounces per plant, if grown outdoors. If grown indoors, you should be looking at around 16 ounces per square meter.
This website will serve as the ultimate guide and record for various different cannabis strains that are available, from melon gum and golden goat, to wookie and hog strains. There is so much to learn about each strain, and each has its own benefits and medicinal properties.
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