We like big buds and we cannot lie—and the biggest and most beautiful nug is the coveted Top Cola. There’s a size stigma when it comes to cannabis buds, everyone wants that giant nug shot for their socials. At the very top of a flowering cannabis plant there is one giant, dense and sticky nug referred to as the top cola—top referring to the location and the quality.
A "cola" on a cannabis plant refers to the flowering bud at the tip of a branch, particularly the main branch. These colas develop because the bud sites receive the most light as they grow vertically. A healthy plant will typically have one main cola at the top, along with smaller colas on the lower branches.
Growers can use techniques to influence how colas develop. A common practice is called "topping" which involves removing the top growth tip of the plant during its vegetative stage. This redirects the plant's energy to lateral growth, essentially creating multiple colas instead of just one large one.
The sentiment that friends don’t let friends smoke mids implies that smaller colas found further down from the apex top cola aren’t as good. Some licensed producers even sell small popcorn nuggets at a cheaper price than larger buds. But are they any less potent? What makes the top cola the gold standard of cannabis colas?
What makes the top cola cannabis so special?
The top cola of a cannabis plant is popular among growers and consumers for a few reasons:
Potency: The top cola receives the most direct sunlight during growth. Sunlight is a key factor in cannabinoid production, the chemical compounds that give cannabis its psychoactive effects from THC and other properties. So, the top cola is generally considered to have the highest concentration of cannabinoids compared to lower buds on the plant.
Appearance: Because it gets the most light, the top cola often has the densest bud formation and the most trichomes, those sticky crystal-like drops that contain most of the plant's cannabinoids, terpenes, and flavonoids. A visually dense cola frosted with trichomes is generally seen as higher quality.
Convenience: During harvest, the top cola is the largest and easiest bud to trim and separate from the stem. This makes it more efficient for growers to process, especially for large-scale production. But appearances can be deceiving, drying a top cola whole needs to be done with care as mould can easily form in the dark and dewy parts near the stem.
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Is it true that top colas are the biggest and best bud?
So, the top cola is a good indicator of potentially high potency, but it's not a guaranteed winner. Here are some additional factors to consider when shopping for cannabis products:
Full-plant utilization: Different parts of the cannabis plant are typically used for different purposes. Lower buds might be used for extracts or edibles where bud appearance doesn't matter.
Trichome quality: A keen eye can help identify trichome colour and cloudiness, which can be indicators of cannabinoid maturity. To find the best trichome quality, stick to craft growers who hand manicure each bud with care to preserve terps and trichomes.
Individual plant variation: Genetics and growing conditions can significantly impact cannabinoid content. A well-grown lower bud from a potent strain might have a higher potency than a top cola from a less potent strain.
Testing is key: If potency's your top concern, check the cannabinoid content verified through lab testing. Cannabinoid content will be listed on the product packaging but the proudest producers will also post the Certificate Of Analysis to their own channels.
The top cola is a desirable part of the plant, but it's not the only source of valuable bud material. Consider a combination of factors like lab results, visual inspection, and intended use to determine the "best" part of the cannabis plant for your needs.
