Did you know that the kratom industry is worth more than $1.3 billion? Kratom is hugely popular at the moment, but it wasn’t always that way. The Western world was obvious to this plant for a long time.
but where did it come from? When did people first find out about this plant Why is it so special?
Keep reading and learn more about kratom history below.
What You Need to Know About Kratom History
Where does kratom come from?
Kratom is a leaf that comes from the Mitragyna speciosa tree. This tree grows in the humid, tropical climates of Southeast Asia. This is a very fast-growing tree.
It can sometimes grow 20 feet tall in 2 years. It is an evergreen tree meaning it always keeps its leaves no matter the season. It is often found in Borneo, Thailand, and other countries in the area.
Many people think that kratom is new, but it isn’t. People in Southeast Asia have known about it for hundreds or thousands of years. In recent years, the Western world discovered this plant and made it popular.
This is why you can often find kratom products throughout the United States. Kratom discovery by the West occurred in the 1800s. The history of kratom is simple.
The West had no interest in this leaf for more than a hundred years. But recently, companies realized they could make a fortune on these special leaves. This is why the kratom industry value is so high right now.
Kratom trees used to grow in the wild, but most of them today are cultivated. There are special kratom farms across Thailand and other countries dedicated to growing these trees.
Much of the kratom from these trees gets shipped to the Western world. Some countries have tried to regulate kratom, but it is still mostly unregulated. The kratom tree is interesting because it can produce several different types of kratom.
The Details
The main types of kratom are red vein, green vein, and white vein kratom. There are also some special types such as Maeng Da or yellow vein kratom, but these are not as common. The same kratom tree produces all these kratom types.
This is because each kratom type is when the leaves are at a certain stage of maturity. Consider white vein kratom. This is when the kratom tree has leaves with white veins.
When the veins are white, the kratom tree is very young. It is not possible to harvest the leaves any earlier than this stage. The next stage is when the veins turn red.
This is known as red vein kratom. The change occurs as the tree gets older and produces chemicals in different concentrations. When the tree is very mature, the veins will turn green.
This creates green vein kratom. The more mature the leaves are, the higher concentration of different chemicals they will have. It is not possible to mature the leaves anymore after this point.
The leaves need to be harvested or they will go to waste. White vein, green vein, and red vein kratom varieties are all very popular. It is easy to find each type at any kratom store you visit.
The Formation of Kratom Products
The kratom products you find at the store are not fresh leaves. They instead come as powders or capsules. It is not possible to sell fresh kratom leaves, especially when shipping the product abroad.
This is because the leaves will decay during the shipping process. This is why it is necessary to prepare the leaves first. This is done by drying them.
The leaves get hung in a large, open room. The room often contains fans to blow the leaves with a steady stream of air. This helps the leaves dry out.
The drying process may take some time, usually several weeks to several months. Air-drying the leaves will slowly preserve the leaves so they won’t decompose. Some leaves spend the final drying stages out in the sun.
Some kratom leaves are then left to ferment. Fermenting the leaves changes their chemical composition. This also helps preserve the leaves so they won’t decay when shipped.
Once the leaves are dried and fermented, they are then ground into powder. Powder is the most popular form of kratom. This is because it is easy to work with.
What You Need to Know
Some brands sell kratom powder alone in a jar or other vessel. Other brands prefer to put the powder into capsules. This ensures that the powder isn’t too messy.
Other brands may create liquid kratom. This is when the oils of the kratom leaves are squeezed out and harvested. These are all very popular forms of kratom.
They are easy to find at most kratom stores. The processing that kratom goes through also ensures that it will last a long time. Be sure that you buy high-quality kratom.
Some kratom is not authentic and may get mixed with other ingredients. Check where the kratom comes from and what brand produces it. This will help you determine the best kratom for you.
It will also help you avoid wasting your money on bad kratom.
All about Kratom History and Development
Kratom history goes back thousands of years in Southeast Asia. It became popular in the last few decades in the Western world. Kratom comes from a special tree and there are many different types of kratom.
Kratom is mainly available as a powder, but you may find it in other forms too. To learn more about kratom, check out our products.
