Kratom and me

Kratom strains are NOT different species of the plant. In fact, all Kratom strains share the same genetic material and belong to the same species of plant known as Mitragyna speciosa. What differentiates Kratom strains is the region where it originated, the cultivation methods used, the harvesting process, and environmental factors, just to name a few. All of these different variables end up providing each Kratom strain with a unique alkaloid profile.

One way to look at this is by studying tomatoes. There’s only one tomato species out there, but there are hundreds of tomato varieties available around the world. Although they are genetically the same plants, a variety of factors have caused different genetic material to be active in the plant.

When different genetic material is active, you find different characteristics exhibited by the same plant. As people get increasingly picky about what traits they enjoy in their Kratom, these small differences begin to matter and that’s where we get the many different strains of Kratom.

Many Kratom strains get their names from their country or region of origin. Because Kratom is primarily grown in Southeast Asia, you’ll often find names that include areas like Thailand, Bali, Malaysia, Sumatra, and so on.

Seasoned Kratom customers develop the taste to discern the subtle differences between strains with genetic roots in different regions, and eventually settle on a specific source as their favorite.

Kratom is an evergreen tree, indigenous to Southeast Asia and tropical regions of Africa. It is primarily grown in Thailand and Indonesia, where locals have chewed Kratom leaves for centuries. The leaves are also ground into a powder, dried to make tea, extracted into oil, or even cooked into food. Found in the same family of flowering plants as Coffee, the Kratom plant shares many characteristics with our favorite morning beverage.

In Thailand, Malaysia, and other areas where Kratom trees are native, leaves are often chewed or brewed with hot water. Used for a variety of traditional purposes, Kratom is believed to actually predate coffee in terms of human consumption. Kratom’s unique qualities have long been utilized by humans, but it wasn’t until recently that this plant became recognized in the western world.

Although the exact mechanism through which Kratom exerts its physiological effects is unknown, scientists believe that mitragynine and 7-hydroxymitragynine, two alkaloids found in the leaves, are the responsible parties. Alkaloids are compounds, or phytochemicals, that occur naturally in many plants and may have effects on the human body. More well known examples include caffeine, quinine, and tomatine.

The leaves of Mitragyna speciosa generally contain 1-1.5% mitragynine, thought to be the primary active constituent, along with lower concentrations of related alkaloids which include:

These alkaloids may work together to create an entourage effect, but more research is needed to determine the role of each. Mitragynine is definitely the most dominant alkaloid found in Kratom, making up around 66% of its content. These phytochemicals – and many more – all contribute to Kratom’s unique botanical profile.

If you’ve ever seen raw Kratom products such as leaves or powder, you may have been struck by the distinctive colors they come in. The color of Kratom is affected by 2 factors – maturity of the harvest and the drying process.

Kratom leaves exhibit veins of different colors that correspond with the leaf’s maturity. White veins are thought to be the least mature, with red at the other end of the spectrum and green in the middle.

These differences may account for subtle variations in Kratom’s hue, but the plant’s primary characteristics – colors, flavors, and alkaloid profile – are brought out by drying, or curing, the leaves. The drying process – both the length of time and whether the leaves were exposed to direct or indirect sunlight – is highly technical and many farmers have their own proprietary methods to ensure consistent and high quality products.

In recent years, a new yellow strain of Kratom has become popular. Interestingly, there are two different yellow Kratom strains available in the market, but most retailers do not bother to educate their customers on their differences. In short, one type of yellow vein Kratom is the result of the drying process and the other type of yellow vein Kratom is actually a blend of multiple different strains.

At Kraken Kratom, we offer yellow vein versions of our Borneo, Thai, and Maeng Da Kratom strains.

Besides the color and origin, Kratom products often carry two other descriptive names – Maeng Da and Horned.

“Maeng Da” loosely translates to “pimp grade” in Thai, which is used in reference to high-grade Kratom. Maeng Da Kratom is usually obtained by grafting multiple strains of Kratom to obtain the most powerful and desirable effects from the parent plants.

In contrast, “Horned” merely describes the shape of the leaves. A rare mutation gives some Kratom plants horned leaves. This distinction allows Kratom consumers to identify and use horned Kratom if they’ve enjoyed that particular strain in the past.

You may see other names related to Kratom, in addition to color and region. These are often taken up by individual vendors to label specific blends and small batches or to attract new consumers.

Now that you are familiar with how Kratom strains get their names, let’s take a closer look at a few of the most popular strains out there.

Bali, also known as the OG, is by far the most popular Kratom strain in the United States. It originates in Bali, an island in Indonesia. You can find Bali in every formulation, including red, green, white, and yellow vein varieties.

As the name indicates, Maeng Da Thai traces its origins to Thailand. However, its immense popularity has galvanized farmers in Indonesia and Malaysia to take up its cultivation. Traditionally, Maeng Da Thai is available in red, white, and yellow veins only.

Super Green Malaysian Kratom, commonly known as Super Green Malay, is a unique version of the conventional Green Malay. Green vein strains are the least processed Kratom and are little more than just dried leaf or powder.

Indonesia is home to multiple Kratom strains and Super Indo is one of the most popular. It beats out most other Kratom strains in terms of raw alkaloid content.

Red Dragon is one of the newest Kratom strains and an interesting find. It has a higher alkaloid profile than that of many other Thai strains, and yet, in some cases, it’s less expensive.

Borneo Kratom is one of the oldest, most popular, and widely available strains on the market. Originating in Borneo, an island divided among three countries (Indonesia, Malaysia and Brunei), Borneo Kratom is relatively well-balanced. It’s available in red, white, and yellow vein varieties.

Kali is grown in Kalimantan, a region of Indonesia known for its lush rainforests. This unique strain is typically only available in red vein varieties.

With so many choices, it may be hard to know where to start. The best choice is to just pick one that sounds promising and dive in. If you don’t find what you’re looking for, you can always try a different strain. The good news is that with so many options and varieties available, anyone with an adventurous spirit can find a Kratom product that’s right for them.