Mmm, tea. People from so many cultures enjoy tea on the daily and have for thousands of years. Kratom has traditionally been consumed in its homeland of Southeast Asia by chewing the fresh leaves or brewing it into tea, and with different ways to prepare it, there’s a perfect cup for everyone.
Just as there are several different ways to enjoy kratom, there are different way to brew kratom tea. What really matters, though, is how you want to store it, how mild or strong you want it to be, and how much work you’re willing to put into it.
Important Notes on Preparation
Before we begin, I need to address some important information.
To retain as much of your strain’s natural alkaloid content as possible, do not let kratom roll in a boil with your water. Instead, place it in the water when simmering or let the water in the hot teapot cool down for a minute or so. For an added (and delicious) safeguard, add the juice of a whole lemon to your leaf or powder, allowing it to soak before heating. The acidic nature of the juice will help keep the alkaloid content consistent. This is all done with science, naturally.
Another very important note is that, just like any other tea, the longer you boil it or let it steep, the stronger the flavor and effect. Kratom is bitter, and the taste continues to deepen the longer it has been submerged in hot water. Also keep in mind that plain kratom tea survives up to five days in the fridge. If you crave longevity, adding alcohol can preserve the tea without compromising the alkaloid content, but then you have a whole different recipe on hand.
Everyone’s body is different. The way our organs absorb natural chemicals differs from person to person. With that being said, there some guidelines to be conscious of when deciding what serving size to start your recipe off with. We recommend starting with 1-2 grams of kratom per cup of tea and increasing the concentration as you see fit.
Kratom Tea Recipes
Method 1 – Boiling Pot
Great for large batches, this method reigns supreme in pleasing a crowd or keeping in jars to enjoy later.
What You Need:
– Medium or large pot
– 4-6 cups water (or 1 liter)
– Kratom leaf or powder in desired strain
– Mesh strainer or cheesecloth
How To Do It:
Put water in the pot and bring to a gentle boil. Reduce heat, add desired amount of kratom leaves and simmer for 10-20 minutes. After simmering, pour contents through the strainer into a large container for serving or storage. If using powder, allow the plant matter to settle to the bottom. Quick tip to get the most bang for your buck – if using loose leaf, keep the leaves after straining. Depending how long your first steeping was, they can stay good for two or three total batches.
How To Enjoy It:
It’s common for brewers to sweeten the kratom tea to mask the bitter flavor. You can use any sweetener you like: maple syrup, agave, or honey to name a few. Measurements are to taste, of course. You can always just plug your nose and chug, though – no one’s judging you!
Method 2 – Teapot
I don’t know about you, but I love processes that are simple and require little thought so I can focus on other things. This method is exactly that; all you need is a little prep work.
What You Need:
– Teapot (or preferred vessel for boiling water)
– Water to fill your boiling vessel
– Tea bags, either empty or opened, or Tea ball
– Kratom leaf or powder in desired strain
How To Do It:
Empty an existing tea bag or pick up empty ones ready for stuffin’. Place desired amount of leaf or powder in bag or ball (loose leaf works better than powder in the ball). If you want to babysit your kettle, you can place the tea bags directly in the teapot and keep an eye on them to prevent boil damage. Otherwise you can safely place them in your mug or thermos. After your kettle whistles, turn off heat and let cool for at least one minute. Pour water over your tea vehicle and ta da! Steeping time varies on your taste and level of patience.
How To Enjoy It:
The squeeze of a lemon slice works wonders here, as well as some sugar cubes or honey. If iced tea is more your thing, put the lemon and sweetener in while it’s still hot, then store the brewed tea in the fridge overnight and pour over ice the next day.
Method 3 – Sun Tea
Regardless of water temperature, leaves release flavor when wet. Hot water infuses with the flavor faster while cold water takes a little more time, and although there are other aspects that differ between temperatures, one method doesn’t create more flavor than another. Making sun tea is a fun way to brew your beverage in large amounts. It gives you this special DIY feeling even though it’s super simple.
What You Need:
– One gallon jug or container
– Water in the appropriate amount
– Kratom leaf in desired strain
– Optional: Tea bags or balls
How To Do It:
Fill your jug with cool or room-temp water. From here, you can choose to infuse the water with your kratom swimming freely and strain it out later or use tea bags (which is my preferred method). How many tea bags or balls you add is totally up to you, but I recommend filling your bags with leaf, not powder, and using anywhere from 7-10 bags based on your preference.
Find a sunny spot a place your jug there. You want to make sure it gets sun for at least an hour, up to five hours. You can move your jug when necessary to keep it warm!
How To Enjoy It:
Slice up some lemon and lime circles for a decorative and protective garnish. If serving immediately, feel free to place some ice cubes in the jug and enjoy chilled. Because you’re subjecting your kratom to a lot of sunlight, it’s possible that your sun tea will be weaker than the large batch you made on your stove; this is because UV rays and kratom don’t get along too well and exposure can deteriorate the alkaloid content. That’s why I love this recipe for a get-together, and save the stronger pot-made tea for the evening.
Closing
Kratom tea is a wondrous thing, not only for versatility, but for quick absorption and enjoyment too. Whether you’re hosting or attending a party or planning to sip by yourself, we want to know your recipes! What’s your favorite?
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