Um, who doesn’t want to eat cannabis and chocolate–covered coffee beans and goji berries WITH SPARKLE in them? The first time I shook a Sparks by Somatik out of its package, I was like, wait a minute, did that little coffee bean just sparkle at me? It sure did. Because Somatik founders and partners Christopher Schroeder and Clayton Coker like to keep things sparkly.

Somatik initially launched with a cannabis-infused, cold-brew coffee, made in partnership with Ritual Roasters (10mg or 30mg per bottle). That product is a fun one, but we're focusing on the Sparks today.

The Somatik Sparks line includes the Coffee Bean Sparks (purple box) which contain 3mg of THC per bean (with 25 beans per container) and the Goji Berry Sparks (red box) are 2:1, with 2mg of CBD and 1mg of THC per berry (30 berries per container). 

The Somatik crew values artisanal and craft practices, and is committed to high-quality and ethical sourcing for everything that goes into the Sparks. The beans and berries are enrobed in single-origin chocolate from award-winning Endorfin Foods in the East Bay. Sparks feature a custom blend of Colombian and Ecuadorian cacao—it’s a delicious chocolate, a chocolate-lover’s dark chocolate, and not milk chocolatey sweet like what some other edibles makers use. But it’s not bitter or austere either—there’s a touch of roundness from the coconut sugar. Sparks are cane sugar–free (and low-glycemic), vegan, and gluten-free.

The Coffee Bean Sparks feature single-origin and direct-trade beans from Ritual Coffee Roasters, so the sourcing and quality are impeccable. The beans also rotate seasonally—right now they’re using heirloom varieties from the Nano Challa cooperative in Ethiopia. The bean pairing with the chocolate makes for a vibrant tasting experience of fruitiness, bite, richness, roast, crunch, and let’s not forget SPARKLE (they are gold sparkles from mica, and safe to eat). Somatik worked a long time on the development and production details of this treat, and you can see and taste it.

The goji berries are from Imlak’esh Organics and are grown organically by small farmers in Tibet. They have a wonderful chewy texture, and aren’t brittle and dry like some other goji berries. Gojis can be really sour, but these have a mild tartness to them. And when paired with the chocolate, it all comes together to be more fruity, maybe a little sour cherry-raisiny. As for the party factor, these are all about silver sparkle. And let’s not forget their antioxidant properties!

The cannabis used in the Sparks is a hybrid distillate sourced from quality extractors (and butane-free). The CBD in the goji berries is from our very own Level Blends here in SF (the makers of the Tablinguals I'm a fan of).

A great feature is their portability—I keep a couple of each kind of Sparks in my purse for when I want a little boost (or some chill) on the go. 

A quick user note: the new July 1 childproof packaging can be challenging if you don’t read the tiny instructions on the box that tell you to pinch the corners of the plastic container to open it. Ahhhh, yes, I see, got it. Pop! (P.S. I would take a closer look at the box, it has all kinds of cute notes on it.)

How I like to use Coffee Bean Sparks

The coffee beans are my little going-out buddies—I like to pop one as I’m out the door, whether I'm on a walk or going to a show. At 3mg THC per bean, they’re a manageable microdose that you can surf as needed: they take about 45 minutes to come on for me, depending on what’s in my belly, and if I'm being active or sedentary. So if I’m at the club or a party, I can pop another coffee bean two or three hours later, depending on how I’m feeling (and consuming—there may be other things in the mix, like alcohol, which will heighten the effects of the THC, and I like to tread carefully in that area). The goal is a cruising altitude—no turbulence! 

Sparks are great for all-day festivals, hikes, and other excursions—and bring a few for your friends! Effects can come on a little later than expected since you're digesting them, so remember, go low and start slow with just one bean for your first time.

Pro tip: you’ll want to check your grill after eating a coffee bean—you may find some little pieces hiding in your teeth, and we don’t want that happening while you’re talking to a cutie, so be sure to do a quick swish-swish with your beverage. 

While I’ve had fun taking a few beans throughout the night while out dancing, they’re also equally effective for exercise for the same reason: you can more easily glide into a flow state, and by tuning in to your body, you can go for longer (or just find more engagement with the workout). My friend who is a runner likes going on long Sparked runs.

They’re also a good productivity tool for me—if I’m feeling a little pokey in the afternoon or am working late into the evening (which is my favorite time to write), I can pop a Spark for a petite boost. It mostly works in the background and offers a little lift, nothing too spacey, but is definitely in the room (so stay on task!). 

If you’re suffering from a lot of stress in your life or anxiety (sorry about that), you could try a Spark in the morning, and then another in the afternoon, and see how that works for maintaining a cruising altitude of good vibes and mood boost (and then try a couple goji berries before bedtime). Chris at Somatik calls it “mild mood shine.” Love it. Chris also tells me some people who suffer from chronic pain report using Sparks for effective pain management throughout the day.

A tasty option: enjoy the coffee bean Sparks in these coconut-cardamom-chocolate muffins, a sassy recipe from Mother Indica. They sound awesome.

How I like to use Goji Berry Sparks

Now, the goji berries are a different animal, because we’re talking just 2mg of CBD and 1mg of THC per berry. Which is a good thing, because you can eat a few and still be juuuust right (and you won’t want to eat just one). I have nibbled on three about 30 minutes before a massage, and that dose offered a relaxed body and receptive mind (well, until I decided the massage therapist was lousy and we weren’t vibing—way to harsh my mellow, lady). 

The gojis are a good beginner cannabis edible to try since their individual dose is so low. You could eat two goji berries (2mg of THC total) and see how that feels for your first time. Even just one, especially if you’re trying it out on mom or dad (a side benefit to tell them: these gojis may help with arthritis).

If you already know your THC dosage ballpark, start with two or three berries. I like the gojis for a little chillax snack at home in the evening, especially when the late-night sugar tooth hits. And if you’re looking for a new ice cream topping, well, here you go.

My recommendation is to take out how many you plan to consume and then close the container (byeeeeeee)—you don’t want to be tempted to start mindlessly eating them. That’s how “oops” moments happen.

The gojis are surprisingly effective for relaxing before bedtime. Sometimes I’ll eat three gojis and am so chilled out and feeling all stretchy and snuggled into my body. I’m like, “Is this psychosomatic? It’s just 6mg/3mg of THC.” But no, it’s Somatik! Chris calls them a “little chill pill” and recommends popping a couple in moments of stress.

Visit somatik.us for more info and getsava.com to purchase them!

Disclaimer: The statements made regarding these products have not been evaluated by the FDA and are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. Please consult your healthcare professional about potential interactions or other possible complications before using any product.