Mitragyna speciosa (Kratom): the tropical tree, cousin of coffee, botanical bad-ass. You can purchase kratom in many forms, and today we’re going to go over most of them and point out some pros and cons for each one.
Loose leaf kratom could be considered the most traditional way to partake. Before being processed for export, the leaves are deveined and dried. It’s best to use human hands to crush the leaves, which will be an easy task if the leaves were dried properly. It’s at this stage we have what’s typically called “crushed leaf,” a popular way to buy kratom.
Making tea is definitely the most enjoyable way to consume loose kratom leaf. You can also chew it, but I suggest this only if you bear an affinity for raw bitter flavor. I would also recommend chewing on a whole leaf (if you feel the need to chew something), not littering your mouth perfectly good tea leaves.
Oftentimes leaves are placed directly in simmering water and strained out after around 20 minutes of steeping. Now that you’re familiar with the preparation, let’s see those pros and cons!
Pros
– Straining out the leaves means not ingesting as much plant matter, which may be easier on your stomach.
– You can add your own ingredients – including sweeteners like honey – to the tea, making for an individually designed aroma and flavor.
Cons
– Sometimes we simply don’t have 10-20 minutes to make tea.
– Depending on the actual flavor of the leaf, the bitterness can be hard to mask.
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Undoubtedly the most efficient way for the majority of people to take kratom, powder has become the top family of products in the industry.
It’s easier to buy kratom in bulk, and the ways you can prepare powdered kratom are endless. Just like loose leaf, you can brew tea or garnish a dish with it. What makes powder more easily consumed in food over leaf, however, is that it mixes with other ingredients better. Try adding it to your yogurt, smoothies, and salad dressings!
Pros
– In most cases it will be cheaper than other forms of kratom.
– Capsules make for effortless consumption and storage.
– Super versatile – you can choose to put it into capsules yourself, mix into other foods or leave as-is.
Cons
– Ingesting a lot of plant matter.
– Finely ground powders are harder to neatly contain and measure.
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Using extracts to distill the singular qualities of herbs and spices is one of the oldest natural sciences in the world. With modern technology, we’ve been able to advance the production of such concoctions, creating concentrated versions of our favorite botanicals – kratom included!
Full Spectrum Kratom, occasionally also labeled as FST, is a way to use kratom that is popular with those who require an even more convenient intake method. What makes these set of options unique is the extraction method. Liquid extracts utilize ethanol, water, or C02 solvents, then alkaloids are pulled from the plants to create a potent concentrate, then blended with other natural flavors. Don’t hesitate to ask us about which ones are available to you if avoiding alcohol is a priority.
There are also many kinds of powdered Kratom extracts which use one of these solvents, but the liquid is evaporated out, leaving a dry powder that contains only the desired alkaloid content. We stock a variety of powdered extracts and enhanced kratom products.
Pros
– The easiest method of intake for many. Dissolves easily in other liquids.
– Higher alkaloid content, meaning using less product and saving more for later!
– Since extracts = more alkaloids in lower volume, you’ll probably consume less.
Cons
– Since extracts are concentrations of certain alkaloids, other elements of the raw plant are missing that some people like.
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For on-the-go and discrete consumption, people might turn to tablets and/or gum. Kratom tablets are usually (and hopefully) made using high-pressure machinery to press the kratom powder tightly. This procedure means the final product will lack additives such as bonding agents.
Then there’s kratom gum. Those who choose kratom in gum form simply have a preference I suppose. Almost all gums of any kind will have additives, and kratom gum is no exception.
Pros
– If you repackage the products yourself, it’s a discreet and mobile option.
– If you know your favorite serving size, taking pre-pressed kratom is an easy way to measure.
Cons
– Even if a company advertises natural methods and no additives, it’s unfortunately not always the truth. Tablets could contain bonding agents and chemically-added flavors. Contact your vendor with any questions.
Closing
Let’s quickly review: Leaf, powder, capsules, extracts, tablets, and gum. That’s a pretty solid roster to choose from. The best part is that you never have to be tied down to one option; in fact, I recommend switching it up every now and then to spice up your life.
At Kraken Kratom, we carry leaf, powder, extracts, and capsules for you to choose from. Accessories are also available for purchase if you feel like being creative and making your own capsules and bagging your own tea. We are definitely open to carrying other products if our customers are looking for something new, so let us know if you’d like to see something we don’t yet have. Don’t be afraid to reach out to us via social media or customer support if you have any suggestions!