White Widow. If any flower deserves the title of « most-tried variety in the world », it would be this one. Born in 1990s Amsterdam coffeeshops, crossed from a Brazilian indica and an Indian sativa, it redefined what a balanced strain could be. Thirty years later, it still sits on serious shelves all over Europe — and at Horus too.
The origin: Amsterdam, 1995
The story is well-known. A Dutch breeder crosses an extremely resinous South American indica with an airier Kerala sativa from India. The result: a 50/50 hybrid, covered in a trichome layer so dense the buds looked dusted with sugar — hence the name White Widow. It wins multiple Cannabis Cups in the following years and becomes an absolute reference.
Today, you'll find hundreds of versions. They aren't all equal. The genetic drift between the original Dutch White Widow and some modern crosses can be considerable — to the point where, in practice, we're no longer talking about the same flower.
The aromatic profile of our version
Our White Widow is a phenotype close to the Dutch original, selected for profile stability. Three main notes:
- Resinous pine — the signature White Widow note, from a strong alpha-pinene. Immediate, fresh, almost camphor-resinous opening note.
- Damp earth — mid-palate, more discreet, from myrcene. The « deep » component you find in the relaxation experience.
- Black pepper — on the finish, signature of caryophyllene. Adds length on the palate and a subtle spicy edge.
The almost total absence of fruity or sweet notes is what sets White Widow apart from very « gourmand » modern strains like Cherry Moon or Permanent Marker. Here we're in the European classics register: freshness, earth, spice.
Our version: why White Widow at Horus
White Widow is probably the most mistreated variety on the French CBD market. The name is so famous that many shops slap the label on any generic indoor. The promise isn't kept: you buy « White Widow » and get a nondescript variety without the characteristic pine-earth-pepper profile.
Ours is strictly indoor, traceable batches, controlled terpene profile. If you compare it side by side with a generic « White Widow » from another shop, the difference hits you the moment the jar opens. Precisely because we won't compromise, we carry only one version, our pick.
How to enjoy it
White Widow is versatile — one of its great strengths. As at home mid-day as in the evening, it suits very different usage profiles:
- Vaporisation — ideal temperature 180-195°C to reveal pinene and caryophyllene. At 175°C you keep more pinene (fresh); at 195°C you push caryophyllene (spice). Vary by mood.
- Classic infusion — works very well thanks to myrcene. 0.2g of crumbled flower per cup, 10 min in hot whole milk, strain.
- Storage — White Widow keeps relatively well (6-9 months in opaque glass jar). Pine-spice terpenes are less volatile than the fruity notes of modern varieties.
The Horus stance: the classic done seriously
Selling a proper White Widow today is almost an act of conviction. We see so many mediocre versions priced as premium indoor that we've considered pulling it from the catalogue just to avoid being confused with those practices. We keep it for the opposite reason: to show that a properly made White Widow still exists. The price reflects sourcing — not marketing.
Available at Horus shops in Boulogne-sur-Gesse and L'Isle-en-Dodon, and on our website. If your usual seller's version doesn't smell of fresh pine on opening the jar, there's a problem. Not at our place.
White Widow
THC 0.30 %To go further on sativa-dominant classics: Crazy Amnesia, on a daytime energy register. To explore more aromatic modern strains: Permanent Marker.
Frequently asked questions
Is White Widow more indica or sativa?
Balanced 50/50 hybrid in its original version. Depending on phenotype and growing conditions, some lots can lean slightly indica (more relaxation) or sativa (more cognitive stimulation). Our current version leans very slightly indica.
What's the CBD content?
Between 13 and 17 % CBD depending on the batch. THC < 0.3 % per French regulation. Exact figures on the certificate of analysis provided with every order.
Is White Widow suitable for beginners?
Yes — it's even one of the best varieties to start with. Classic aromatic profile, moderate intensity, balanced effect. If it's your first CBD flower, White Widow is a more predictable entry point than the very aromatic modern strains.
How do you tell a real White Widow from a copy?
Three signs: (1) very visible trichome layer giving the characteristic « frosted » look on the buds; (2) dominant pine-earth-pepper nose, never fruity or sweet; (3) relatively compact buds, no excess sugar leaves. If the flower smells of red berries or candy, it isn't a White Widow consistent with the original genetics.
Is White Widow good for cooking?
Yes, it works very well in infusions or cannabis butter, thanks to myrcene and caryophyllene which solubilise in fats. The pine-earth-spice profile naturally pairs with savoury dishes (pasta, sauces, soups) rather than desserts.