Somatik Sparks Golden Berries
Say high to the golden girls. Photo: ChingImages. © mymilligram. Art direction: Marcia Gagliardi. Styling: Christian Jusinski/Surfacehaus.
Everyone could use a little spark in their life, and fortunately, Somatik is looking out for us. I’ve previously written about this San Franciscan and queer-owned company’s dark chocolate goji berry and coffee bean Sparks, and now they’ve added a third player to the Sparks party: 1:1 CBD Dark Chocolate Golden Berries. Founders and partners Christopher Schroeder and Clayton Coker also recently updated the formulation of all three Sparks, adding adaptogenic ingredients to each, in order for them to be more effects-based.
The Golden Berries clock in with a balanced 1:1 ratio of 4mg of CBD and 4mg of THC per berry, with energy-boosting maca. While the 4mg may sound like a bigger dose for a microdoser, I find these berries offer a balanced high with the CBD—nothing too spacey or intense. (If you want to start with something smaller, try the goji berries first, with 2mg of CBD and 1mg of THC per berry, while the next step up are the coffee beans, with 3mg of THC per bean.)
Golden berries are also known as Inca berries, Peruvian groundcherries, and cape gooseberries—they come with a husk, like a tomatillo (a close relative!). They’re considered a super food (like goji berries), and are high in antioxidants and vitamins, with anti-inflammatory benefits, and may even boost immunity and bone density. They have a tart, sour-sweet profile. I find they start off with almost a golden raisin flavor, and then a bright, fruity tartness kicks in. These organic golden berries are ethically sourced from farms in the Andean foothills from Imlak’esh Organics, one of Somatik’s trusted partners. Somatik values artisanal and craft practices, and is committed to high-quality and ethical sourcing for everything that goes into their Sparks.
Sidebar: it’s absolutely crazy to me that Somatik can’t list the berries as an organic ingredient based on current California cannabis regulations—it ends up you aren’t allowed to say “organic” anywhere on cannabis packaging, even in the ingredients section. But I’m here to tell you, those berries are organic. And the state needs to fine-tune that reg. Okay, moving on!
The berries are enrobed in single-origin chocolate from award-winning Endorfin Foods in the East Bay, and offer a tantalizing interplay of tart and sweet as you savor the sparkly berry. Sparks feature a custom blend of Colombian and Ecuadorian cacao, a delicious chocolate, a chocolate-lover’s dark chocolate. But it’s not bitter or austere either—there’s a touch of roundness from the coconut sugar. Sparks are cane sugar–free (and low-glycemic), vegan, and gluten-free.
Now, about the added adaptogen! For the Golden Berries, they chose maca for its mood-boosting properties, as well as the way it helps with focus, mental clarity, and even libido! Rawr. When pairing plant herbs with herb herb (LOL, the cannabis), it’s like creating a synergistic version of the entourage effect! The maca definitely adds an energy boost: I consumed a berry in the evening for movie-viewing enhancement, and when I went to bed, I was feeling rather alert and awake, like if I had an afternoon coffee. And then it hit me: the berry! These things are no joke.
How I like to use Golden Berries
There’s a reason the Somatik gents call it “the get shit done” berry—they designed it to help with focus and productivity. The Sparks line was developed to be a part of your daily wellness routine, from the “chill pill” goji berry to the “mood polishing” coffee bean. And now, you can enjoy some calm productivity with the golden berries. The THC can offer a way to think differently and creatively, with a little euphoria, while the CBD keeps you calm and grounded, and the maca gives you focus and invigoration. For those afternoons when you need a little inspiration, or evenings when you’re going to be up working late, give these a try.
I’ve enjoyed the Golden Berries for my daytime exercise (perfect for a lifted walk), and I also took one before a long movie (I had “hightened” focus, and a perky walk home from the theater). Need to clean out your closet, do some yardwork, or move your office? Let the berry help you get that shit done. If you’re suffering from pain or discomfort and are looking for a daytime option that won’t make you too sleepy, I’d give these a spin. (And I hope you feel better.)
It takes about 45 minutes for me to feel some lift, so that’s how I like to time them for my activities. I tend to maintain a cruising altitude for up to a few hours, with a gentle landing. And remember, everyone is different, so you could feel some euphoric effects in 30 minutes, or it could take up to a couple hours. And the next time could be different, depending upon what you ate that day. Edibles are unpredictable like that. If you ever feel like you have over-consumed THC, here are some tricks in case of turbulence (see the last paragraph). I want you to have a pleasant flight!
Visit somatik.us for more info and getsava.com to purchase them!
Disclaimer: The statements made regarding these products have not been evaluated by the FDA and are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. Please consult your healthcare professional about potential interactions or other possible complications before using any product.