Baklava is a hybrid cannabis strain bred from Kosher Kush and Gelato #41, known for a creamy, sweet vanilla flavor with a light gassy edge and a tingly, focused high that eases into body relaxation. It was bred by Alien Labs in California around 2019. Leafly lists it at about 21% THC, and some batches test above 25%.
Baklava Strain at a Glance
| Type | Hybrid, often described as slightly indica-leaning |
|---|---|
| Lineage | Kosher Kush × Gelato #41 |
| Breeder / origin | Alien Labs (California) |
| THC | 21–25% (typical lab range) |
| CBD | Under 1% |
| Dominant terpenes | Limonene, Myrcene, Beta-caryophyllene |
| Aroma and flavor | creamy, sweet, light gas, earthy, vanilla, butter, tar, faint berry |
| Reported effects | tingly, focused, creative, relaxed body |
| Best for | late afternoon or evening use, dessert-flavor fans, experienced consumers |
Where Baklava Comes From
Baklava is an Alien Labs creation, bred in California around 2019 according to The Bluntness. Leafly and The Bluntness both give the cross as Kosher Kush and Gelato #41, the Cookie Fam Gelato cut that Alien Labs has used in several of its dessert-leaning releases. Kosher Kush brings the dense OG Kush family structure, while Gelato #41 adds the creamy sweetness that gives the strain its pastry name.
Alien Labs has not released Baklava as seed, and The Bluntness notes the strain is produced only by Alien Labs and its cultivation partner Connected Cannabis Co. That makes it mostly a branded flower, pre-roll and concentrate item rather than something home growers can find. Alien Labs has also used it in collaboration hash products.
One naming note: The Plug Seedbank sells an unrelated Baklava bred from Wedding Cake and Gelato. If a menu lists Baklava from a different producer, it may be that line rather than the Alien Labs cut.
Baklava Effects: What It Feels Like
Leafly reviewers most often describe Baklava as tingly, focused and creative, and Leafly’s summary calls it mostly energizing. Yet the same page and The Bluntness both describe a full-body relaxation, and some users report an intense head rush at first that settles into a calm body high. The common pattern is a bright, buzzy start followed by a loose, comfortable finish.
That arc suits a late afternoon or early evening when you want to stay engaged but unwind. With batches testing from about 21% to above 25% THC, it is strong enough to overwhelm newer consumers, so start low and give it time.
Baklava Terpenes, Aroma and Flavor
The name fits. The Bluntness describes a strongly creamy taste with sweet accents and faint berry notes over a slightly gassy, creamy nose. Leafly’s flavor tags are tar, vanilla and butter, with sweet in the description, which reads like honeyed pastry with a little Kush gas underneath.
Leafly’s lab data lists limonene first, followed by myrcene and caryophyllene. Limonene gives the bright, sweet lift, myrcene the soft, earthy base, and caryophyllene the peppery, slightly tarry edge on the exhale. The Bluntness reports a different order with caryophyllene, myrcene and terpinolene, so profiles likely vary by batch.
- Limonene: bright citrus, also found in lemon and orange peel
- Myrcene: earthy, musky and herbal, also found in mango and hops
- Beta-caryophyllene: peppery and spicy, also found in black pepper and cloves
Terpene levels vary from grower to grower and batch to batch, so check the lab label on the package. Learn more in our guide to cannabis terpenes.
Side Effects and How to Use Baklava
Leafly reviewers most often mention dry mouth, dry eyes and feeling anxious. The anxious reports usually come with strong batches or large doses, so pace yourself and keep water close.
With Baklava, as with any strain, a smaller dose usually avoids anxiety or grogginess. Our cannabis safety guide covers what to do if you take too much.
Do People Use Baklava for Medical Reasons?
Leafly readers most often say they reached for Baklava during anxiety (35%), stress (26%) and depression (24%). These are personal reports, not clinical evidence.
These are user reports, not clinical findings. For what research actually supports, see our cannabis health and research section, and talk to your doctor before using cannabis for a health condition.
Strains Like Baklava
- Gelato: the dessert family behind its Gelato #41 parent
- OG Kush: the family behind Kosher Kush
- Ice Cream Cake: another creamy, vanilla-sweet hybrid
- Wedding Cake: a sweet, doughy hybrid with similar dessert notes
- London Pound Cake: a pastry-flavored modern hybrid
Browse more hybrid strains, the full strain directory, or our guide to cannabis strains.
More Hybrid Strains to Explore
Banana Cake · Banana Cream OG · Banana Punch · Area 41 · Apples and Bananas · Apple Tartz · All hybrid strains
Where to Buy Baklava
Dispensary menus change every week, and Baklava may be sold under its own name, as a cross or as a pre-roll or vape. The fastest way to find it is to check store menus online before you go. In Detroit, browse Detroit dispensaries and check the menus at stores like Green Genie Cannabis Company and 420 Dank Detroit. In Chicago, browse Chicago dispensaries and check the menus at stores like Ivy Hall – Logan Square and Green Rose – Chicago. You can also browse licensed dispensaries in every state we cover. Adults 21 and older can buy with a valid photo ID; see cannabis laws by state for purchase limits.
Baklava FAQ
Is Baklava indica or sativa?
It is a hybrid. Leafly lists it as a hybrid, and some sources call it slightly indica-dominant.
What is Baklava a cross of?
Kosher Kush crossed with Gelato #41.
Who bred Baklava?
Alien Labs in California, around 2019.
What does Baklava taste like?
Creamy and sweet, with vanilla and butter notes, faint berry and a light gassy or tarry finish.
Can you buy Baklava seeds?
Not from Alien Labs, which has kept the cut in-house. A Baklava sold as seed by The Plug Seedbank is a different Wedding Cake x Gelato cross.
For adults 21+ in legal states. Strain information reflects breeder descriptions, lab data and user reports; effects vary by person and batch. Not medical advice.