Hybrid60% Indica / 40% Sativa20–25% THC

Gelato #25

Also known as: Barry Bonds, Guava Gelato

Breeder: Cookie Fam Genetics (Sherbinskis / Jigga)

Gelato #25 is one of the original five phenotypes kept from Cookie Fam's legendary Sunset Sherbet x Thin Mint GSC seed run, selected alongside #1 (Guno), #33 (Larry Bird), #41 (Bacio), and #45. Nicknamed Barry Bonds (jersey #25), it is the most indica-forward of the famous Gelato phenos — known for heavy limb-weight body effects paired with a clear, uplifting mental state. It is also the direct parent of Biscotti (Gelato #25 x South Florida OG), making it one of the most consequential genetic building blocks in modern dessert-strain lineages. SeedFinder lists 17 direct descendants. Gelato #25 emerged in San Francisco during the 2010s through the work of Cookie Fam Genetics, specifically Mario Guzman (Sherbinskis) and Jai Chang (Jigga). The numbered Gelato phenotypes were selected from large populations of the Sunset Sherbet x Thin Mint GSC cross, with each number representing a distinct expression of the genetics. The #25 earned the nickname \"Barry Bonds\" (after the San Francisco Giants legend) for its home-run flavor and potency. THC levels typically range from 20-25%, and the terpene profile is dominated by sweet candy and mint notes with undercurrents of gasoline, cream, and woody earth. Gelato #25's most significant legacy may be as the genetic mother of Biscotti, which has gone on to become one of the most influential breeding parents in modern cannabis. Clone-only access to the original #25 cut means authentic expressions are limited to those with verified genetics.

Lineage

Sunset Sherbet x Thin Mint GSC

THC Range

20–25%

Flower Time

8-10 weeks

Difficulty

Moderate to Advanced

Lineage & Genetics

Cross: Sunset Sherbet x Thin Mint GSC

Parent strains in encyclopedia:Sunset Sherbert→Thin Mint GSC→

Sunset Sherbet: An indica-dominant GSC descendant (Girl Scout Cookies x Pink Panties) bred by Sherbinskis — contributes the sweet, sherbet-like fruit terpenes and body relaxation. Originally a happy accident from a Pink Panties pollination at Sherbinski's grandmother's house. Thin Mint GSC: The minty, gassy Girl Scout Cookies phenotype (OG Kush x Durban Poison) — contributes the mint/fuel aromatics, dense bud structure, and trichome-heavy resin production that defines all Gelato phenos.

Lineage Dispute

Sources disagree on ratio: SeedFinder.eu classifies it as 'mostly indica,' AskGrowers lists 100% Indica, xplantdna and StrainGuide list 50/50. The indica-lean consensus (~60/40) aligns with breeder-adjacent descriptions and SeedFinder. The 'Guava Gelato' alias is also contested — SeedFinder maps it directly to Gelato #25, but some breeders use 'Guava Gelato' for distinct crosses (e.g., Guava x Gelato). Treat 'Guava Gelato' as a common alias for #25 only in Cookie Fam context.

Terpene Profile

DOMINANT

Caryophyllene — Spicy, peppery warmth

DOMINANT

Limonene — Bright citrus, lemon zest

SECONDARY

Myrcene — Earthy, herbal, musky foundation

SECONDARY

Linalool — Floral, lavender sweetness

Aroma: Sweet cream and mint on the nose with a citrus-berry underbelly. Breaks open to reveal lavender and light earth notes. Moderate to loud — fills a room when jars are cracked but not as pungent as #41. Growers report needing carbon filtration by mid-flower.

Flavor: Leads with sweet cream and sherbet, mid-palate delivers mint and ripe berry (strawberry-mango per AskGrowers), finishes with a subtle fuel/earth exhale. Cleaner and sweeter than #41, less gassy than #33. Multiple reviewers note the dessert-forward profile as the defining trait separating #25 from its siblings.

Effects & Experience

Onset: Fast-acting — cerebral pressure and euphoric uplift within minutes. Described as a 'joyful mental lift' that arrives before the body effects settle in.

Indica-forward body weight lays heavily on the limbs while the mind stays excited and uplifted. Happy, talkative, and giggly in the first phase, transitioning to deep physical relaxation without full couchlock. Appetite stimulation is commonly reported. The head stays clear enough for conversation and creative tasks despite the heavy body.

Duration: 2–3 hours. The cerebral phase tapers after ~45 minutes; the body relaxation and appetite effects carry through the remainder.

Commonly Reported Uses

Stress reliefChronic painNauseaAppetite stimulationInsomnia (higher doses)InflammationMood elevation

Grower's Notes

Flower

8-10 weeks

Indoor Yield

450-600 g/m²

Outdoor Yield

500+ g/plant

Difficulty

Moderate to Advanced

Height / Stretch

Medium (0.8-1.2m indoor)

Environment

Indoor preferred

Gelato #25 (aka Barry Bonds) by Cookie Fam Genetics is one of the original numbered Gelato phenotypes selected from the foundational Sunset Sherbet x Thin Mint Girl Scout Cookies cross. Among the Gelato family — which includes the widely known #33 (Larry Bird), #41 (Bacio), and #45 (Michael Jordan) — the #25 phenotype is distinguished by its sweet candy-forward aroma with rancid funk undertones, balanced effects, and impressive resin production. It is also notable as the mother of Biscotti (Gelato #25 x South Florida OG), making it a cornerstone of modern dessert-strain breeding.

Growth Structure and Training

The plants exhibit a compact-to-medium stature with short internodes and heavy lateral branching, making them naturally suited to indoor cultivation. Expect a moderate 1.3-1.7x stretch after the 12/12 flip, with most plants finishing at 0.8-1.2 meters when trained. Top once or twice during veg to establish 6-10 strong mains, then spread with LST to create a flat, uniform canopy. SCROG or two-tier trellis setups are highly recommended — the heavy, closely-stacked calyxes will need physical support as they pack on weight from week 5 onward.

Flowering Time and Harvest

Flowering runs 8 to 10 weeks (56-70 days), with most growers harvesting around day 63-67 for peak terpene expression. Indoor yields of 450-600 g/m2 are achievable under high-intensity lighting with dialed environmental controls. The strain demands precision — temperatures should hold at 68-78°F with relative humidity maintained at 40-50% during the flowering stage. These controlled conditions have been shown to significantly improve resin production, a critical factor for maximizing both potency and the Gelato line's signature flavor.

Lighting

Light management is key to unlocking Gelato #25's full potential. During veg, the plants thrive at 400-600 PPFD with a daily light integral of 30-40 mol/m2/day. In flower, ramp up to 800-1000 PPFD for dense, resinous development. With CO2 supplementation at 1200-1500 ppm, the plants can tolerate up to 1200 PPFD, significantly accelerating metabolic rates and increasing yield. VPD management is equally important — target 0.8-1.0 kPa during veg for optimal stomatal function, increasing to 1.3-1.5 kPa in late flower to drive trichome production as a plant defense response against desiccation.

Nutrient Management

Nutrient strategy should follow classic Cookies-family guidelines: nitrogen-rich feeding during veg (supplemented with foliar sprays and organic inputs like fish emulsion or worm castings), transitioning to phosphorus and potassium-heavy bloom nutrients at the flip. Gelato phenotypes are moderately sensitive to overfeeding, so start at 75% strength and adjust based on leaf color and tip condition. Soil pH should be maintained at 6.0-6.5 for optimal nutrient uptake. To encourage the Gelato line's signature purple coloration, drop nighttime temperatures by 5-10°F during the final two weeks — this triggers anthocyanin production without compromising yield or potency. Clone propagation is strongly preferred for consistent phenotypic expression; seed runs will show significant variation.

History & Origin

Bred by Cookie Fam Genetics — specifically Mario Guzman (Sherbinskis) and Jai Chang (Jigga) — in the Bay Area of California. The original Gelato seed run (Sunset Sherbet x Thin Mint GSC) produced dozens of numbered phenotypes. Per High Times' 2016 Top 10 Strains feature, Cookie Fam conducted a group taste test to narrow the field; the five keepers were #1 (Guno), #25 (Barry Bonds), #33 (Larry Bird), #41 (Bacio Gelato), and #45. Each number corresponds to the phenotype's selection order, and the nicknames reference famous athletes' jersey numbers. #25 became known as the sweetest, most indica-leaning keeper and later proved its genetic significance as the parent of Biscotti, which itself spawned an entire sub-lineage of modern exotics.

Notable Crosses

Strains bred using Gelato #25 as a parent:

Biscotti— Gelato #25 x South Florida OG. Cookie Fam→

Guava Biscotti— Gelato #25 x Biscotti. Cookie Fam

Banana Dulce— Gelato #25 x Modified Banana. Skunk House Genetics

Cosmopolitan— Gelato #25 x BlowPops. Envy Genetics

Bag O' Dosi— (Gelato #25 x Do-Si-Dos

Guava Oreoz— Gelato #25 x Oooze. Obsoul33t Genetics

Crystal Orchard— Guava Gelato x Baker's Dozen. Exotic Genetix

Frequently Asked Questions

6 common questions about Gelato #25

What is Gelato #25 and what are its genetics?

Gelato #25 is a hybrid cannabis strain (60% Indica / 40% Sativa) bred by Cookie Fam Genetics (Sherbinskis / Jigga). It is a cross of Sunset Sherbet x Thin Mint GSC, testing at 20–25% THC. Gelato #25 is one of the original five phenotypes kept from Cookie Fam's legendary Sunset Sherbet x Thin Mint GSC seed run, selected alongside #1 (Guno), #33 (Larry Bird), #41 (Bacio), and #45. Nicknamed Barry Bonds (jersey #25), it is the most indica-forward of the famous Gelato phenos — known for heavy limb-weight body effects paired with a clear, uplifting mental state.

What does Gelato #25 smell and taste like?

Gelato #25's dominant terpenes are Caryophyllene, Limonene. The aroma is described as sweet cream and mint on the nose with a citrus-berry underbelly. breaks open to reveal lavender and light earth notes. moderate to loud — fills a room when jars are cracked but not as pungent as #41. growers report needing carbon filtration by mid-flower.. The flavor profile features leads with sweet cream and sherbet, mid-palate delivers mint and ripe berry (strawberry-mango per askgrowers), finishes with a subtle fuel/earth exhale. cleaner and sweeter than #41, less gassy than #33. multiple reviewers note the dessert-forward profile as the defining trait separating #25 from its siblings..

What are the effects of Gelato #25?

Fast-acting — cerebral pressure and euphoric uplift within minutes. Described as a 'joyful mental lift' that arrives before the body effects settle in. Indica-forward body weight lays heavily on the limbs while the mind stays excited and uplifted. Happy, talkative, and giggly in the first phase, transitioning to deep physical relaxation without full couchlock. Duration is typically 2–3 hours. the cerebral phase tapers after ~45 minutes; the body relaxation and appetite effects carry through the remainder.. Commonly reported uses include Stress relief, Chronic pain, Nausea, Appetite stimulation.

How hard is Gelato #25 to grow?

Gelato #25 is rated moderate to advanced difficulty. It flowers in 8-10 weeks, reaches medium (0.8-1.2m indoor) in height, and yields 450-600 g/m² indoors. Best suited for indoor preferred environments.

What are the parent strains of Gelato #25?

Gelato #25 is a cross of Sunset Sherbet and Thin Mint GSC. Sunset Sherbet: An indica-dominant GSC descendant (Girl Scout Cookies x Pink Panties) bred by Sherbinskis — contributes the sweet, sherbet-like fruit terpenes and body relaxation. Originally a happy accident from a Pink Panties pollination at Sherbinski's grandmother's house.

What strains were bred from Gelato #25?

Gelato #25 has been used as a parent in several notable crosses, including Biscotti, Guava Biscotti, Banana Dulce, Cosmopolitan, Bag O' Dosi. Its genetics contribute to a wide range of modern cultivars.

Sources & References (23)

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