Kratom Explained
For centuries, Kratom has played a recurring role in the cross-cultural history of the world. However, despite the plant’s extensive past, Kratom continues to be a subject of contention and confusion. Supported by a shallow body of research and facing mounting regulatory pressures, Kratom seems to attract more questions than answers.
In the interest of providing some clarity amidst a backdrop of uncertainty, we’ve decided to explore some of the most common questions about this timeless botanical – from cultivation to coloration, products, and more.
What Is Kratom? Kratom’s History Explained
Kratom refers to the dried leaves of the mitragyna speciosa tree, a plant indigenous to various regions within Southeast Asia including Thailand, Vietnam, Indonesia, and others. The Kratom tree thrives in tropical and subtropical climates and can reach heights of 50-82 feet at full maturity. As an evergreen species, mitragyna speciosa bears leaves year-round, although some seasonal leaf shedding occurs.
For hundreds of years, locals have harvested the tree’s glossy green leaves and prepared them in a variety of ways to create Kratom. Most commonly, Kratom leaves are dried and ground into an ultra-fine powder, although other forms of preparation are equally popular.
Despite Kratom’s mixed legal status, the global demand for powdered Kratom products has soared in recent decades. As a result, Kratom has become a staple export throughout Southeast Asia, with Thailand and Indonesia ascending to become the world’s largest producers of this ancient plant.
Can I Grow My Own Kratom? At-Home Kratom Cultivation Explained
Kratom’s surge in popularity has spawned a community of home-growers who have taken an interest in cultivating Kratom outside its natural habitat. While it is possible to grow Kratom outside of Southeast Asia, those who decide to do so often encounter a set of unique challenges.
For starters, mitragyna speciosa grows best in hot, humid climates and struggles in colder temperatures. This makes growing Kratom in certain regions difficult, but these environmental challenges can be circumvented with proper climate control. However, growing a Kratom tree in a controlled, contained environment often comes at the cost of limited growth.
Most successful home-grown Kratom plants are cultivated from seeds or cuttings and require nutrient-dense soil and plenty of humidity in order to prosper. Mitragyna speciosa is often considered to be a “heavy feeder,” meaning that it absorbs water and nutrients quickly, so keeping Kratom plants well-fed is crucial for optimal growth.
In conclusion, it is possible to grow your own Kratom at home – although the process does require patience, diligence, and plenty of loving care.
What’s the Significance of Kratom Colors? Kratom Strains Explained
Due to a number of factors, no two Kratom leaves are exactly alike. Various techniques employed during the growing, harvest, and processing phases can alter the color and alkaloid composition of mitragyna speciosa’s leaves. The resulting Kratom variants, or “strains,” are commonly classified into red, white, and green categories.
Kratom coloration isn’t merely cosmetic, though – it also dictates aroma, making some strains more preferable than others.
Kratom coloration can be explained in terms of leaf maturity. Over their lifespan, Kratom leaves will turn red, to green, to yellow, and then to brown. In order to cultivate a variety of Kratom strains, farmers deliberately harvest the leaves of mitragyna speciosa during specific periods within the growing process.
Variation in Kratom strains is also a byproduct of post-harvest processing. Once leaves are picked, they’re hung to dry or placed on racks and left to “cure” in the sun. Depending on how long the leaves are dried, further alterations in alkaloid composition and concentration can arise.
What’s the Ideal Kratom Product for Me? Kratom Products Explained
Aside from the dozens of available Kratom strains, customers typically have the option of choosing from several types of Kratom products. While Kratom powders are easily the most popular Kratom product, Kratom capsules and Kratom extracts have also become staples in the inventories of most online Kratom vendors.
Finely-ground Kratom powders are what most customers associate with Kratom – and for good reasons. Kratom powders are generally inexpensive and extremely cost-effective, allowing customers to purchase large quantities and store them for later use.
As a powdered product, things can get a little messy and taking proper storage precautions is essential. But, if you’re keen on saving money and getting the most for your dollar, Kratom powder is likely the ideal choice for you.
For those who favor convenience above all else, Kratom capsules are an ideal fit. Equal parts pragmatic and time-effective, Kratom capsules contain pre-measured quantities of Kratom powder in pre-pressed capsules, allowing for easy, on-the-go use.
The tradeoff is that Kratom capsules aren’t as economical as Kratom powders, as they typically include less total Kratom powder for more due to the cost of processing and packaging. Still, if you live a fast-paced life, you might be able to justify the increased cost.
Kratom extracts are highly-concentrated Kratom powders produced using an auxiliary boiling and evaporation process. While these products are best suited to veteran Kratom users due to their increased potency, the higher cost makes standard Kratom powder more ideal for most customers by comparison.
Choose Quality Kratom
While the dizzying array of Kratom products and strains tends to perplex both new and old customers, quality rarely needs any explanation.
At Kratom Spot, we sell all-natural additive and filler-free Kratom of the highest quality. All of our products are ethically sourced and independently verified for purity and potency.
Explore our broad selection of Kratom products today and enjoy same-day shipping all orders placed before 3 PM EST, Monday through Friday (excluding holidays).