Kratom has a long history. This herb has been used for centuries in Southeast Asia. It has stayed under the radar for many Americans until very recently and now people want to know more about it.
What is kratom and how is kratom powder made? Put on your safari gear, because we’re going to take a trip to the lush landscape of Southeast Asia to help you understand more about this amazing plant. Here’s what you need to know to help you to understand a little bit more about kratom and kratom powder.
Kratom: Where Does It Come From?
Kratom’s story starts in the humid and hot canopy of the forests of Southeast Asia. This plant thrives in countries such as Vietnam, Thailand, and Indonesia.
Kratom is in the coffee family and is a tree that goes by the scientific name Mitragyna speciosa. A Dutch botanist stumbled upon it in 1836 and brought knowledge of kratom to those outside of its home regions.
What Is Kratom Powder?
When farmers harvest their kratom trees, they pluck the leaves from the tree at their desired maturity level. The point in the lifecycle of the leaf when it is harvested is important to the type of kratom powder that is produced. White kratom, for example, is made from dried leaves that are harvested when the plant is very young while red kratom is harvested when the leaves have reached their full maturity.
Green kratom is somewhere in between white and red. The point at which the leaf is harvested impacts its alkaloid profile, which is responsible for the characteristics of each type of kratom powder.
Once the leaves have been harvested, they are dried in the sun or the shade. How long they dry and where they dry is called the curing process and it also influences the type of powder that is made. Once they’re dry, they are crushed and ground into powder. Later, a grinder may be used to make the powder even finer, with a more flour-like texture.
Specialty Colors and Strains of Kratom Powder
When it comes to kratom, it’s typical for farmers to dry their leaves on racks in the sun. However, some farmers have different methods that are designed to alter the alkaloid profiles of the leaves and create different strains of kratom. Of course, plants that grow in different regions and are harvested in different seasons will also have unique alkaloid profiles.
Fermentation
Sometimes, farmers use fermentation to create specialty kratom strains that are then made into kratom powder. During fermentation, the leaves are placed in bags and the moisture in them will kick off a chemical reaction that ultimately results in a higher concentration of alkaloids. One popular fermented kratom strain is Bentuangie, which can be found in a variety of colors.
Colors of Kratom
Unique colors of kratom powder are also easy to find. Gold and yellow kratom are two of the most common, but how they are made depends on who is making them. Some gold kratom powder, for example, is cured, but some other brands of yellow or gold kratom are simply a custom mix of white and red kratom powder.
Popular Kratom Strains
White, green, and red-veined kratom powder is the most familiar type on the market and is what most people are introduced to when exploring kratom powder for the first time. Some of the most popular in each category include:
White Maeng Da
White Maeng Da kratom is a strain that originates from Thailand. This kratom strain has higher levels of active alkaloids and flavonoids as compared to other strains.
Green Borneo
Direct from the lush jungles of Borneo, Green Borneo kratom is harvested raw before it is dried and then crushed into powder. It has a great balance of alkaloids that make it a very popular kratom powder.
Red Bali
A well-rounded strain that appeals to many, Red Bali kratom powder has a robust alkaloid profile.
Kratom powder is an easy and convenient way to enjoy kratom. Explore what it has to offer and find your perfect strain.
