Find your perfect wake and bake strain and even the dreariest Monday morning can become an absolute joy. Well, maybe not a joy as such, but at least a little less painful.

Which begs the question – what makes the ideal strain for a perfect wake and bake?

The answer – the combination of fabulous flavour, just the right amount of energy and no chance of crashing out at the end of the ride. Better yet, a strain you can hit periodically throughout the day to keep you fired-up throughout.

So whether it’s surviving a soul-crushing day at the office or getting to grips with the chores you’ve been putting off for months, we’ve got the perfect recipe for the ultimate wake and bake. Add one of the following strains to your arsenal and you may even find yourself looking forward to Monday morning (yeah right):

1. Chocolate Thai

Find yourself a batch of Chocolate Thai and you’re golden. Difficult to find but more than worth the effort, this iconic Sativa landrace strain typically packs a THC content in the region of 15%. Not too strong, but more than powerful enough to get your day off to the best possible start.

Bursting with early morning glory, chocolate Thai has – unsurprisingly – a distinct note of rich coffee and dark chocolate to its complex aroma profile.  Hence, it’s probably the best strain out there to accompany a tasty breakfast and a cup of coffee. It’s also just the ticket for cooking up a batch of breakfast edibles.

As for the high, it delivers a beautifully balanced and controllable hit that’s gentle enough even for the uninitiated. The ride is smooth and enjoyable, akin to the effects of a strong cup of coffee with none of the associated jitters or nervous energy. Those with an advanced THC tolerance may find Chocolate Thai a little too gentle, but it’s nonetheless an absolute winner for everyone else.

2. Green Crack

Right at the opposite end of the scale, Green Crack is no less than a sledgehammer of high-octane energy when nothing else will suffice. Boasting predominantly Sativa genetics, Green Crack tops the table with a whopping THC content of 25%, delivering an instantaneous uplift that lingers indefinitely.

Despite having nothing in common with the narcotic it takes its name from, Green Crack really is as moreish as it gets. One of the best social strains you’ll ever experience, Green Crack stimulates the kind of mindless yet enjoyable conversation that doesn’t dissipate before sunrise. Hence, it’s also useful the morning after to get you back on track.

The flavour is fruity, the smoke is satisfying and the impact is immediate.  Exercise caution, however, as the potency of Green Crack never fails to take amateurs off-guard. After all, there’s a difference between welcome morning energy and more energy than you’ll know what to do with.

3. Bubba Kush

Let’s face it – an instant and relentless hit of energy isn’t always what you need in the morning. If there’s something on the horizon that’s causing you stress and anxiety, the last thing you want is mind-race and paranoia. Instead, you want a gently relaxing and calming strain that will alleviate your worries, quickly and effectively.

Precisely where Bubba Kush steps in as the ultimate wake and bake strain for a relaxing morning. Boasting decadent notes of rich coffee and sweet chocolate, Bubba Kush delivers a head-to-toe wave of relaxation that melts away even the deepest set stresses and worries.

As with its counterparts, however, you’ll want to be careful not to overdo it with Bubba Kush. While the more energising strains can lead to a racing mind with overconsumption, too much time with Bubba Kush and you’ll find it difficult to get motivated to do anything at all. Great if you can get away with calling in sick, not so great if you’ve a busy day ahead!

4. Sour Diesel

A rich and earthy Sativa hybrid with a THC content as high as 26%, Sour Diesel really isn’t screwing around. Famed for its pungent aroma and instantaneously energising properties, Sour Diesel is also known for getting those creative juices flowing. An ideal strain for anyone in a more creative line of work, who may struggle for inspiration on those dark and dreary mornings.

Sour Diesel has also become a go-to for the treatment of mild depression and anxiety. Not to mention, the after-effects of a restless night and chronic fatigue.  Due to its potency, Sour Diesel does have a tendency to lead to bouts of nervous energy and feelings of anxiety when taken too far.

It’s therefore best to approach Sour Diesel a little like a caffeine-loaded espresso. Great to sip and recharge with gently throughout the day, rather than consuming your body weight of the stuff in one sitting and spending the rest of the day chewing your nails down to the bone.

5. Pineapple Express

Last but not least, Pineapple Express is one of the most famous and infamous strains of all time for a good reason. That reason being – it’s one of the most versatile and enjoyable strains ever to hit the mainstream market.

Another Sativa-heavy hybrid, a good batch of Pineapple Express will typically pack a THC content as high as 25%. Nevertheless, it’s also a surprisingly subtle and controllable smoke, which is perfect for instilling creativity, motivation and the desire to achieve. The initial energising hit is fast-acting, yet far from overwhelming.  Best of all, the feeling goes on for hours and hours.

If all this wasn’t enough, the fabulous fruitiness of Pineapple Express only adds to its appeal. Masses of tropical fruits and fresh pineapple, making it the perfect addition to a delicious breakfast. Caution is advised for those with a particularly low tolerance to THC, but Pineapple Express isn’t nearly as monstrous as the figures add up to on paper.