No, this is not a recipe portal... but it could be! Among caramel hearts and ideas that melt like sugar in the pan, a traditional Brazilian recipe has just received a surprising and, let's say, provocative reinterpretation.

The love strawberry is nothing more than a reinterpretation of the traditional candy apple from Brazilian June festivals, but with another fruit, the strawberry. It reappeared on feeds, but with an ingredient that has been gaining space in creative kitchens and in more serious discussions about health, well-being, and ancestry: cannabis and its derivatives.

If the combination seems unusual, it's because it is, and precisely for this reason, it has caught the attention of the curious, gastronomes, and plant advocates. Embracing the challenge of reinventing this delight was the creator of Larica Uruguay, Marcela Ikeda. In her cannabis version of the national candy, she mixes emotional memory with innovation, surprising textures, and flavors that tell stories.

A trend that arouses curiosity and affection

“Being able to make the famous love candy with a plant ingredient is pretty cool, right? It mixes emotional memory with a new proposal, and that catches attention,” comments Marcela, with the enthusiasm of someone who knows the impact of each spoonful.

For her, the success of this sweet treat goes beyond the taste. “Curiosity is, for me, the biggest drive for people to dare to test new flavors, create new recipes, and make room for ingredients like hemp,” she reinforces.

By combining strawberry, sweet milk brigadeiro, and a handmade jelly finished with lemon peel, the recipe conquers the palate and also invites reflection on what we eat and why. “More than a sweet treat, it is a way to tell a story: where we come from, what we eat, and how we can transform classic recipes into purposeful experiences,” reflects Marcela.

A jewel made of sugar, plant, and memory

Marcela's version of the cannabis love strawberry came loaded with care and a dose of creative resistance. “I resisted a lot regarding the use of dye, especially red, with which I have an old aversion, both for health and aesthetic reasons. But it was enough to trust the ingredients and the caramel point. In the end, I fell in love. It was translucent, golden, with a shine that resembled a jewel,” she says.

On the outside, the crunchy shell without dyes. Inside, a brigadeiro filling with twice the amount of cream, ensuring deep creaminess. And in the center, a handmade jelly, with lemon peel. "The peel is rich in limonene, an aromatic compound present in citrus fruits that helps balance the sugar, highlight the fruit's acidity, and give freshness to the whole. It also connects the dish with subtle notes that refer to the plant, without needing to use the flower itself," says Marcela. Finally, on top, hemp seeds to add crunchiness and symbolize everything the plant represents.

Terpenes: the invisible aromas that transform flavor

In the cannabis universe, terpenes are natural aromatic compounds that, besides being present in the plant, also appear in citrus fruits, spices, and even flowers. They are responsible for providing unique sensory experiences and awakening emotional memories through smell and taste.

Guilherme Storti, owner of CrocBuds, a brand of terpene-infused chocolates that do not contain THC, explains that the blends developed by the company are designed precisely to provoke this type of connection. “We have already tested CrocBuds in coffee, ice creams, and milkshakes. It combines very well, offering a fusion of aromas and flavors that creates a surprising sensory experience,” he says.

The idea of incorporating terpenes into traditional recipes like the love strawberry is not only possible, it is desirable. “When situations like the strawberry arise, which is a hype product, we try to hook onto it with our product, which also has a differentiated proposal and may not reach the same audience. We love to create relationships with content outside the bubble,” says Guilherme.

A dessert that speaks of belonging

The cannabis love strawberry is not just a dessert, it is a silent manifesto. It speaks of ancestral flavors, breaking aesthetic standards imposed (like the artificial red dye), natural ingredients, and about a plant that, little by little, is reclaiming space in our kitchens and lives.

By reinventing known recipes, creators like Marcela Ikeda and initiatives like Guilherme Storti's show that cannabis can indeed be present in our diet, obviously with responsibility, poetry, and a lot of flavor. And who knows, soon, this strawberry candy with golden shine and a cannabis touch might appear in the corner bakery showcase? After all, every revolution can also start with a bite.
 

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