Certain scenes in memorable films will sit with a person for their lifetime. One of mine is a scene in the original Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. There’s a moment where the timid blond kiddo peels back the silver paper with silent reverence, and, alas, he sees the last golden ticket peeking out from underneath.

I watched that as a child and imagined what that must have felt like to have such immense excitement that you experience a complete freeze–and I’ve been chasing that feeling ever since. When I tried this Wonka Bars strain, a lineage created by Exotic Genetix, it all came flooding back.

All about Wonka Bars strain lineage

Wonka Bars is a cross of Garlic Cookies, a.k.a. GMO Cookies, and Mint Chocolate Chip. The Washington state breeders use a unique seed-selling system called Build-A-Box. Growers can’t choose each strain they get with Build-A-Box. Instead, they receive a select group of unreleased genetics, backstock, and feminized heavy hitter seeds. This is how Wonka Bars was released, and it has never been available from Exotic Genetix as a feminized seed.

Getting Wonka Bars seeds must make cultivators feel like Charlie himself. As for the consumer experience, this weed variety made me feel like I’d won the golden ticket. This review is based on Wonka Bars grown by Seattle-based Calyx & Trichome from my local family-owned shop Trippy Hippie.

Wonka Bars strain: smell, look, and taste

Wonka Bars is a delicious weed variety that grows in an impressive dark mauve color. This gorgeous dark purple color takes on the slightest reddish hue in the right light. The intriguing shades are joined by a bounty of trichomes and thin orange hairs. The bud structure is bulbous with somewhat pointed calyxes. Wonka Bars nuggets are pretty-looking morsels worthy of their name, and it only got better when I took a deep whiff.

The smell of Wonka Bars is earthy and sweet with rich hazelnut and violet. Pack it up in a POTV Lobo or your preferred dry herb vape for a front seat to flavor, which I enjoyed as much as the scent. Wonka Bars tasted like savory chocolate. When I investigated further, notes of citronella and cloves emerged.

This hybrid cannabis variety had some impressive notes from look to taste–and the effects were up there with it.

Effects of the Wonka Bars strain

Being named after one of the most delicious candy bars in American literature and film creates high standards, and Wonka Bars meets them. Wonka Bars is a hybrid leaning ever so slightly indica, but that’s my opinion. I’ve seen most online reviewers say it was very sativa-leaning. This difference could come down to different growers and endocannabinoid systems–try it yourself to see what it does for you.

For me, the high started in my temples before dripping back into my throat. That honeyed effect moved from my throat into my shoulders and back tension. I experienced light muscle relaxation for the first five to 10 minutes after inhaling some Wonka Bars. Things were rolling once my body and mind adjusted to its new Wonka Bars reality.

I was relaxed but with a chipper attitude and the urge to chit-chat. This hybrid strain is adequate for my daytime pain relief when things are flared up. I also imagine it would be good for easing into social situations without too much stress. It was giggly and creative for me, stimulating but not overstimulating. This is a quality hybrid that many different kinds of consumers might enjoy.

Growing Wonka Bars weed

Like many newer dessert strains, Wonka Bars is best grown indoors. Given the right environment, the hybrid cannabis plants will flower in about 65 days. These gals will require an attentive cultivator to produce impressive, tightly wound buds.

Reports from common online sources state that Wonka Bars plants grow tall and spindly for some and medium and bushy for others. This supports my experience of feeling a tiny bit of indica vibes, while most report this as heavily leaning into sativa-like effects. Either way, give the girls a little space to find out what they do, or be prepared to train taller plants to fit a grow room.

Beginners might not want to grow Wonka Bars as their first plant. However, novice green thumbs may find it is possible with sound advice.

Wonka Bars makes everyone a winner

Taking a look at a jar filled with Wonka Bars cannabis flowers makes anyone feel like a winner, and that only doubles after they toke on it. This hybrid reminds me why even keel buds are a blessing. All my cares were alleviated as I chuckled through life’s little surprises instead of cursing them. Wonka Bars weed isn’t making claims with that name. Getting a chance to try it is a true treat.