Key takeaways
- Gelato is known for sweet cream, vanilla, sweet citrus and ripe berry, with an earthy base in some descriptions.
- Gelato 33 is the best-known cut. It is most often reported as Sunset Sherbet crossed with Thin Mint Girl Scout Cookies.
- Lab reports on the flower most often list caryophyllene first, with limonene as the usual companion.
- Elite Terpenez sells Gelato and Gelato #33 profiles in the Diamond Line, Premium, Classic Strains, DNA Series, Classic Flavour Infused, All Natural Infused and Natural Terpenes lines.
- The profiles list different aroma notes, so choose by flavour direction.
- Elite Terpenez does not sell cannabis. These are flavour and aroma ingredients for adult makers (18+).
What is the Gelato strain?
Gelato is a hybrid cannabis cultivar named after the Italian ice cream, and it is one of the most influential dessert strains of the last decade. Several selections carry the Gelato name, each with a number, and Gelato 33 (also called Larry Bird or Gelato #33) is the one most people mean. Others you may meet include Gelato 25, which is a reported parent of Biscotti.
Descriptions of the type vary. Some sources call Gelato an indica-leaning hybrid and others a balanced hybrid, because the labels are used loosely. For a flavour maker the useful part is the aroma, which is consistent enough that Gelato has become a standard reference for creamy, fruity dessert flavours.
A quick note for UK readers. Cannabis flower is a controlled drug in the UK and Elite Terpenez does not sell cannabis. This article describes the flavour and aroma the strain is known for, and the terpene profiles that Elite Terpenez has named after it.
What does Gelato smell like?
Gelato smells like sweet vanilla cream with a bright citrus top and ripe berries underneath. The lead impression is creamy and dessert-like, the middle is sweet berry, and a lemon-like zest lifts the whole thing. Some descriptions add a light earthy or woody base.
Words that describe the Gelato nose:
- Cream and vanilla: soft, rounded, ice-cream-like.
- Sweet citrus: lemon zest or orange, adding brightness.
- Ripe berry: dark, jammy fruit in the middle.
- Earthy base: a gentle, slightly woody undertone in some batches.
What does Gelato taste like?
Gelato tastes like creamy vanilla ice cream with sweet citrus and berry. The first impression is cream and sugar, followed by berry, and a light lemon tang appears at the finish. It is smoother and more rounded than a straight fruit-candy flavour.
The listed aroma notes on Elite Terpenez’s Gelato profiles show how the flavour can be steered:
- Diamond Line, Gelato: creamy citrus, berry, sweet, earthy.
- Premium Line, Gelato: sweet, berry, citrus.
- Classic Strains, Gelato: sweet cream, lemony citrus, ripe berry.
- DNA Series, Gelato DNA: creamy vanilla, sweet citrus, ripe berry.
What terpenes are in Gelato?
Lab reports on the Gelato flower most often list beta-caryophyllene first, with limonene as the most common companion and myrcene, humulene or linalool in some reports. Sources disagree and amounts vary by selection and batch, so treat any single result as a snapshot. This is general information about the flower and not the recipe of any Elite Terpenez product.
The table gives the basics for the molecules most often named. Data is from PubChem, including its caryophyllene record and limonene record.
| Terpene | Class | Formula | CAS number | Typical aroma |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Beta-caryophyllene | Sesquiterpene | C15H24 | 87-44-5 | Peppery, woody, spicy |
| Limonene | Monoterpene | C10H16 | 138-86-3 | Citrus peel |
| Myrcene | Monoterpene | C10H16 | 123-35-3 | Earthy, musky, herbal |
| Linalool | Monoterpenoid alcohol | C10H18O | 78-70-6 | Floral, lavender-like |
In plain aroma terms, caryophyllene gives the dry spice, and limonene gives the citrus brightness that stops Gelato tasting heavy. The cream and vanilla that make Gelato what it is come from the wider aroma mix and from how a flavour profile is built. Our limonene guide explains the citrus side, and our guide to what terpenes are covers the basics.
What is the lineage of Gelato?
Gelato 33 is most often reported as a cross of Sunset Sherbet and Thin Mint Girl Scout Cookies. That pairing fits the smell: Sunset Sherbet brings the creamy, fruity sweetness, and Thin Mint Cookies brings a spiced, dessert-like base. Several strain databases repeat this lineage, though they disagree on other details.
Who bred Gelato, and which group holds the most stable selection, is disputed, so we do not name a breeder or give dates. Other numbered selections, such as Gelato 25, 41 and 45, come from the same family and are described differently. If you are buying by name, check which number the seller means, because the flavour can differ between them.
How Gelato compares with its reported parents
Gelato borrows from both sides of its reported cross. Sunset Sherbet, one parent, is associated with creamy orange sherbet and berry, and Elite Terpenez lists a Sunset Sherbet profile in the Classic Strains line with the notes orange sherbet, creamy tang and berry finish. Thin Mint Cookies, the other parent, is associated with sweet, spicy and citrus notes. Gelato keeps the cream and berry, adds a gentle spice and citrus, and settles into a smoother dessert profile.
For a flavour brief, “vanilla cream and ripe berry with a lemon-zest finish” is a clear way to describe the target without relying on a strain name that different sellers use differently.
How is the Gelato flavour recreated as a terpene profile?
A Gelato terpene profile recreates the creamy, fruity smell and taste of the strain from terpenes and, in some lines, added flavouring. The goal is a repeatable match to the cream, citrus and berry character. There are two broad sources:
- CDT, cannabis-derived terpenes: taken from the plant. The Diamond Line uses a hydrocarbon-based extraction with tailored refinement to keep each strain’s nuance. The Premium Line uses live resin style, strain-specific CDTs.
- BDT, botanical-derived terpenes: taken from other botanical sources and blended to capture a strain’s aroma and flavour. The Classic Strains, Classic Flavour Infused, All Natural Infused and Natural Terpenes lines are built this way.
Strain-derived profiles aim to carry the plant’s own nuance, while botanical blends give consistency and often a sweeter, creamier result.
Which Elite Terpenez Gelato profiles are available?
Elite Terpenez sells Gelato and Gelato #33 profiles in seven lines. All come in 2 ml, 5 ml and 10 ml bottles, with bulk on request. The table lists six of them with the aroma notes shown on each product page.
| Profile | Line | Source | Listed aroma notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gelato | Diamond Line | CDT | Creamy citrus, berry, sweet, earthy |
| Gelato | Premium Line | CDT | Sweet, berry, citrus |
| Gelato | Classic Strains | BDT | Sweet cream, lemony citrus, ripe berry |
| Gelato DNA | DNA Series | CDT and BDT | Creamy vanilla, sweet citrus, ripe berry |
| Gelato #33 | Classic Flavour Infused | BDT | Vanilla cream, sweet citrus, berry |
| Gelato 33 | Natural Terpenes | BDT | Sweet vanilla, ripe berries, soft citrus lift |
A Gelato #33 profile is also listed in the All Natural Infused line, with the notes creamy vanilla, ripe berry and lemon zest.
Which Gelato profile should you choose?
Choose the Diamond Line Gelato if you want the creamy, citrus-and-earth side of the strain with a strain-specific base. The Diamond Line is made from cultivated cannabis-derived terpenes, and Diamond Line terpenes contain no THC or other cannabinoids.
Choose Classic Strains or the DNA Series for a creamy vanilla with sweet citrus and ripe berry. Choose Gelato #33 in Classic Flavour Infused or All Natural Infused for a cleaner, sweeter dessert result, and Natural Terpenes for vanilla with a soft citrus lift. For cannabinoid content of any profile other than the Diamond Line, contact us and we will confirm before you order.
Browse the Diamond Line and Classic Flavour Infused collections, or see everything in the Flavour Catalogue.
Which Gelato variants does Elite Terpenez offer?
Gelato has spawned many variants, and Elite Terpenez lists several as separate profiles with their own notes. These are different flavours from the core Gelato, not versions of it:
| Variant | Line | Listed aroma notes |
|---|---|---|
| Cherry Gelato | Diamond Line | Cherry, berry, sweet cream, tropical fruit |
| Lemon Cherry Gelato | Diamond Line | Lemon peel, cherry, vanilla, earthy cake |
| Berry Gelato | All Natural Infused | Ripe dark berries, smooth vanilla, creamy finish |
| Banana Gelato | Flavour Infused | Ripe banana, creamy gelato, smooth vanilla finish |
| Guava Gelato | All Natural Infused | Juicy guava, creamy gelato, soft tropical lift |
Because Gelato is a reported parent of Biscotti, makers often compare the two. Gelato leans fruity and bright, while Biscotti leans toasted and fuel-edged. Our Biscotti strain guide covers the other side of that comparison.
How do makers use the Gelato flavour?
Makers add Gelato terpenes at a low percentage of the finished product, never undiluted. Elite Terpenez’s starting cuts are 6% for vape cartridges, 4% for concentrates, 2% for tinctures, 1% for edibles, 0.5% for beverages and 3% for topicals. Treat these as a place to begin, not a fixed rule.
Use the terpene mixing calculator to turn a percentage into a weight for your batch size, and always test a small batch first. Creamy flavours can seem muted when under-dosed and heavy when over-dosed, so adjust in small steps and re-smell after a day.
Handling and storage
Terpene profiles are concentrated. Wear gloves and eye protection, and keep them away from children, pets, heat and flames. Store the bottle tightly closed in a cool, dark place; refrigerated is ideal. For general workplace guidance on hazardous substances, see the HSE’s COSHH basics. These profiles are for adults (18+) only.
Sizes and bulk
Each profile is sold in 2 ml, 5 ml and 10 ml bottles. For larger runs, ask about bulk on the wholesale and bulk page. Free UK delivery on orders over £80.
Is Gelato legal in the UK?
Cannabis flower, including the Gelato strain, is a controlled drug in the UK. The government’s list of controlled drugs places cannabis in Class B. Elite Terpenez does not sell cannabis, and the Gelato profiles described here are flavour and aroma ingredients for adult product makers. Check the rules that apply to your own product before you make or sell anything.
Frequently asked questions
What is the Gelato strain?
Gelato is a dessert-style hybrid cannabis cultivar, best known as Gelato 33 or Larry Bird, and most often reported as a cross of Sunset Sherbet and Thin Mint Girl Scout Cookies. It is known for sweet cream, citrus and ripe berry. Elite Terpenez does not sell cannabis, but sells terpene profiles named after the strain’s flavour.
What does Gelato taste like?
Gelato tastes like creamy vanilla ice cream with sweet citrus and ripe berry. The first impression is cream and sugar, then berry, then a light lemon tang at the finish. The balance varies between batches of the flower and between terpene profiles, so check each product’s listed aroma notes before choosing.
What terpenes are in Gelato?
Lab reports on the flower most often list beta-caryophyllene first, with limonene as the usual companion and myrcene, humulene or linalool in some reports. Sources disagree and amounts vary by batch. This is general information about the flower, not the recipe of any Elite Terpenez product.
What is Gelato 33 a cross of?
Gelato 33 is most often reported as a cross of Sunset Sherbet and Thin Mint Girl Scout Cookies. Several strain databases repeat this, though sources disagree on who bred it and on other details. Elite Terpenez treats the lineage as reported information and focuses on the flavour of each profile.
What is the difference between Gelato and Gelato 33?
Gelato is the family name, and Gelato 33 (Larry Bird) is the best-known numbered selection. Others, such as Gelato 25, 41 and 45, are described differently. When a seller says only “Gelato”, check which number they mean, because the flavour can differ between selections.
Which Elite Terpenez Gelato profile is best?
It depends on the flavour you want. The Diamond Line leans creamy citrus with an earthy edge, Classic Strains leans sweet cream with lemony citrus, the DNA Series leans creamy vanilla, and Natural Terpenes leans sweet vanilla with a citrus lift. Order 2 ml bottles of each and compare.
What aroma notes are listed for the Elite Terpenez Gelato profiles?
The listed notes are: Premium Line Gelato (sweet, berry, citrus); Classic Strains Gelato (sweet cream, lemony citrus, ripe berry); DNA Series Gelato DNA (creamy vanilla, sweet citrus, ripe berry); Diamond Line Gelato (creamy citrus, berry, sweet, earthy). Notes come from each product page, and every profile is sold in 2 ml, 5 ml and 10 ml bottles.
Ready to build a creamy dessert flavour? Shop the Gelato profiles in the Diamond Line and across the Flavour Catalogue, order 2 ml samples to compare, or contact us for bulk quantities and to confirm anything about a profile before you order.
