In the ever-evolving landscape of cannabis, few names have earned the kind of global reverence that Dutch Passion commands. Founded in 1987 in Amsterdam by biologist Henk van Dalen, Dutch Passion isn't just a seed bank - it’s a cornerstone of modern cannabis breeding. For nearly four decades, the company has introduced some of the most iconic strains to grace coffeeshop menus and home grows alike, revolutionizing the genetics game and shaping consumer experiences from the Netherlands to North America.

But what exactly makes Dutch Passion a living legend? The answer lies at the intersection of science, innovation, and old-school cannabis soul.

The Feminized Revolution

Dutch Passion’s claim to fame isn’t just its strains - it’s what it did for cultivation itself. In 1998, the company became the first seed bank in the world to develop and commercialize feminized cannabis seeds. For growers everywhere, this was a game-changer.

Before feminized seeds, cultivating cannabis meant growing multiple plants, identifying and removing the males (which don’t produce buds), and hoping the females didn’t get pollinated. The process was time-consuming, wasteful, and unpredictable. Feminized seeds flipped the script, ensuring that 95-99% of plants grown from them would be female - meaning resinous, cannabinoid-rich buds every time.

Today, feminized seeds are industry standard, with companies around the world following Dutch Passion’s lead. According to New Frontier Data, over 90% of commercial cannabis grows now use feminized seeds.

Strains That Shaped a Culture

Walk into any seasoned cannabis user’s memory palace and you’ll likely find Blueberry, Orange Bud, or Mazar tucked away in there somewhere. These strains didn’t just ride the wave - they made it.

  • Blueberry, developed in the 1970s and introduced to Dutch Passion’s catalog in the 1990s, remains one of the most legendary indica-dominant strains of all time. Its rich, fruity flavor and calming, euphoric high earned it the High Times Cannabis Cup for Best Indica in 2000. More than two decades later, Blueberry continues to influence countless modern hybrids and is often referenced as one of the tastiest cannabis strains ever created.
  • Orange Bud is an energetic, sativa-dominant classic that helped define the citrus-forward terpene profile so popular today. First bred in the early 1980s, it quickly became a hit in Dutch coffeeshops thanks to its uplifting high and vibrant orange pistils. With THC levels reaching up to 23%, it’s still a favorite among creative users and social smokers.
  • Mazar, named after the Afghan city of Mazar-i-Sharif, is a resin-heavy indica that delivers a deep, relaxing body stone. Its heritage traces back to pure Afghan landraces, giving it that unmistakable hashy aroma and long-lasting physical effects. Mazar won 2nd Prize at the High Times Cannabis Cup in 1999, and it remains a cornerstone for growers looking for yield, potency, and old-school charm.

These aren’t just strains - they’re cultural touchstones. They represent a golden era of cannabis, when Amsterdam was the epicenter of innovation and discovery, and Dutch Passion was one of the few brands leading the way. To this day, many breeders credit these genetics as the building blocks of modern cannabis breeding.

From Coffeeshops to Grow Tents Worldwide

Today, Dutch Passion’s genetics are grown on every continent where cultivation is legal, from California’s craft farms to South Africa’s emerging cannabis industry. Their seeds are stocked in hundreds of licensed stores and online platforms, and their influence can be found in many of the modern hybrids we smoke today.

The brand has also kept up with the times, investing in high-THC and CBD-rich varieties, autoflowering strains, and even high CBG and THCV genetics. Their Auto Mazar and Auto Orange Bud strains are widely praised for combining potency with quick turnaround times - a vital feature for small-scale or home growers.

And now, Dutch Passion cannabis seeds are available to U.S. customers. Thanks to global seed retailers like Herbies Seeds, American growers can legally order a wide selection of Dutch Passion genetics, including the classics and new experimental lines. Whether you're a first-time grower or a seasoned cultivator, this kind of access opens up a piece of cannabis history to an entirely new generation.

Why It Still Matters

In a world flooded with new hybrids and cannabis start-ups, Dutch Passion’s staying power speaks volumes. For consumers, their strains offer reliability, nostalgia, and a direct link to cannabis heritage. For growers, the genetics mean consistency, quality, and decades of accumulated knowledge.

In a personal sense, as a long-time cannabis user, I always return to Dutch Passion for one simple reason: their strains deliver exactly what they promise. When I light up a joint of Orange Bud, I’m not just chasing a high - I’m connecting to a history of cultivation, experimentation, and cannabis culture that stretches back generations.

As legalization expands and cannabis culture continues to evolve, Dutch Passion remains a rare constant: a brand that helped define the past, and continues to shape the future - one legendary strain at a time.