White Vein Kratom Strains
White vein varieties of Kratom are harvested early, when the leaves are young and still growing. The result is something similar to the process of malting, in which grains are allowed to begin the germination process before being ground. Malting produces a different balance of naturally occurring sugars than simple grain-grinding. Similarly, white vein Kratom produces a different alkaloid profile than other varieties, and tends to include a higher concentration of 7-hydroxymitragynine than others. White vein Kratom often takes on a deep creamy or light tan color.
As Kratom becomes increasingly popular, marketing-savvy producers have taken the traditional color-based naming system and run with it. Yellow vein strains that begin with white Kratom leaves might be labeled Gold or Platinum, for example. Behind the marketing hype, though, lie the same factors that have always contributed to Kratom’s rich array of varieties: growing conditions, harvest time, and drying methods. The more you know about how your Kratom was produced, the more likely you are to get exactly the product you want.
How Does The Curing & Drying Process Impact Vein Color?
The Kratom drying and curing process is a fascinating, multi-step endeavor that greatly influences the vein colors of the resulting product. Traditionally, after the Kratom leaves are harvested from the Mitragyna speciosa tree, they are subjected to specific drying procedures that can include being laid out in the sun, placed under shade, or even put into specialized drying chambers. The duration and conditions of this drying process can cause the leaves' vein colors to change, turning them into the familiar red, green, yellow, or white varieties that you see in the marketplace.
There's a lot of discussion and speculation among enthusiasts about how exactly these drying techniques impact the vein colors of Kratom leaves. While some assert that the colors are indicative of how mature the leaves were at the time of harvest—red being the most mature, white the least, and green somewhere in the middle—others argue that it's the unique drying procedures that determine the final color. Factors like exposure to sunlight, indoor versus outdoor drying, and the length of time spent drying can all play roles in shaping the vein color of the end product. Regardless, the drying and curing process is an integral part of what makes each Kratom strain distinct.