The okra-thickened stews we know as gumbo were created by enslaved people of West African descent. The name probably comes from the word for okra in their languages, ki ngombo.
Today, chefs of all heritages riff on gumbo's classic flavors. But their versions are different in many ways, especially the roux, which takes hours to cook and bind the dish together.
Origins
As its name suggests, Gumbo is a strain that pays homage to a classic dish from the Deep South. Like the dish, this potent Indica leaning hybrid offers a rich flavor profile and energizing effects. With a THC content of up to 20%, this strain is perfect for smokers and vaporizers alike. It is commonly enjoyed in a joint or bowl, but can also be used in edibles to add an extra layer of flavor and energizing effects.
Gumbo has a unique origin story that combines cultures and culinary traditions from around the world. Some historians believe the name of the stew originated from a West African word for okra, “ki ngombo,” while others point to its roots in French, Spanish, and Native American Choctaw cuisine. It is likely that all of these influences contributed to the creation of this hearty savory stew.
The modern version of this beloved meal is a complex combination of various herbs, spices, and vegetables. Okra is still an essential ingredient, but many cooks will also include other vegetables such as tomatoes and bell peppers to give the stew its signature flavor and color. This mixture is then simmered for hours to create a thick and savory broth. Depending on the recipe, meat may be added for a protein boost. cold fire extracts
Medical marijuana patients that enjoy a good hearty meal and are in need of some serious appetite stimulation will love this strain. Gumbo buds are mint or olive green with hues of purple or blue and feature above average trichome coverage. This strain has a unique aroma that blends pungent skunk with sweet bubblegum.
The resulting strain is smooth on the inhale and exhale, with a flavor that is reminiscent of ripe bananas and candy floss. Users will feel relaxed and energized throughout the high, which comes on slowly and steadily before easing into an intense stone. This calming effect is great for those who suffer from chronic stress or depression. It is also a popular choice for those who experience headaches or migraines, as this strain has been known to alleviate these symptoms.
Genetics
Despite their many differences, gumbos all share one key ingredient: roux, a thickener made of flour that’s been browned in oil. The technique is credited to Louisiana’s French heritage, but it’s also believed that Native American tribes such as the Choctaws incorporated a similar process with their use of sassafrass leaves (gumbo file) and okra pods as thickeners for stews. When enslaved Africans brought these ingredients to the Americas during transatlantic slavery, they helped establish the Creole cuisine that is known as gumbo today.
Discover Gumbo is a powerful hybrid strain that combines the potent effects of Indica and Sativa genetics. The high THC levels in this cannabis variety will help to soothe pain, reduce stress and anxiety, and provide a euphoric mood boost. This bud is ideal for consumers looking to relax and unwind after a long day. It is recommended to enjoy this marijuana strain in the form of a joint or a bowl. Alternatively, this strain can be vaporized using a dry herb vaporizer for a smoother and more discreet experience.
This cannabis cultivar produces large, dense buds with a thick coating of trichomes. It has an aroma that combines elements of pungent skunk and sweet bubblegum for a unique and satisfying flavor. The high THC content in this strain will help to relieve symptoms of depression and insomnia. It will also stimulate the appetite and can improve concentration.
For consumers who are new to cannabis, this strain is a good choice because of its balanced effects and mild side effects. The high THC level will provide a strong cerebral high without causing any paranoia or anxiety. It can be enjoyed on its own or with other strains to produce more intense effects.
Gumbo is a perfect choice for people who want to enjoy cannabis in the comfort of their own home. This strain is a great choice for nights when you want to stay in, watch movies, and have a few snacks. It’s also a good choice for social gatherings with friends.
Varieties
As with any recipe, there are countless variations of gumbo. However, the main differences between the various dishes are based on the type of meat or protein used and the amount of spices and herbs used. Another distinguishing factor is whether or not tomatoes are added to the dish. Regardless of the differences in ingredients and methods of preparation, one thing that most chefs agree upon is that gumbo should be served over rice. The type of rice used, be it long grain, wild or brown, is also a matter of personal preference. Typically, some form of file powder is also added to the stew.
It may come as no surprise that gumbo is a strain that’s best enjoyed in the comfort of your own home. Its effects are powerfully sedating and can induce deep muscle relaxation, as well as a calm and peaceful mind. It’s no wonder that medical marijuana patients have been flocking to this strain, using it to treat insomnia, loss of appetite, anxiety, depression, chronic pain, stress, and muscle spasms.
Gumbo’s aroma is a riot of pungent skunk and sweet bubblegum, making for an incredibly delicious smoke. This strain’s THC levels are also quite high, with its average concentration hovering around 20%. This potent terpene is what gives Gumbo its intense sedation and mood elevation properties, as well as its ability to help relieve nausea and stimulate the appetite.
The origin of the name “gumbo” is unclear, but is thought to be derived from either the West African word for okra, kngombo, or the Choctaw phrase for ground sassafras leaves, kmbó. One of the main contributions that the French-influenced cuisine of South Louisiana brought to gumbo was the use of roux, or flour browned in oil.
Like a gumbo, gumbo cannabis is a complex strain with many layers of flavor and effects. It’s not an easy strain to grow, though, as it requires precise environmental controls. It is especially susceptible to mildew, and it needs to be watered with care not to overdo it, as too much water can lead to root rot.
Recipes
Follow Folse around his gumbo factory like a Willy Wonka in his chocolate factory and you’ll see what it takes to make gumbo — on a massive scale. It’s the same old-fashioned Cajun ingenuity that got him to this point, with a little help from a newer kind of magic: technology.
He has a machine to grind okra seeds into a fine powder, an automated system that cooks 2.5-ton batches of gumbo at once and a computerized inventory that lets him know exactly what ingredients are in each pot. The only thing he doesn’t have yet is the large kettles to cook them all in. That will come soon.
A big part of what makes gumbo so good is the way it melds different cultures and cuisines in a single pot. West Africans brought to the American South during the slave trade transported traditional dishes and techniques, which merged with European and Native American traditions that had already begun to coalesce in Louisiana. This beautiful blending is what made gumbo possible, with a soup-like base and a stewed meat or seafood served over okra and rice.
In gumbo, the roux is a crucial part of the recipe. It’s the thickener, and it’s usually made from a mix of oil and flour that gets cooked and stirred until it’s dark brown almost like mud or cocoa. It adds rich flavor and texture, as well as a deep color to the gumbo.
But there are gumbo recipes that don’t require a roux. For example, Native American Choctaws used file (ground and dried sassafrass leaves) to thicken their gumbos instead of or in addition to okra. And some Creole cookbooks from the 1885s list several different gumbo recipes using chicken, ham or bacon, oysters, shellfish and other proteins along with a variety of okra and file options.
Two gumbos will never be alike, even when they use the same ingredients. But they do share one common truth: okra is essential. Okra is versatile, affordable and available across Louisiana and has the ability to bring a sense of consistency to the many variations of gumbo that simmer in home kitchens across the state.