Have you been seeing the word “kratom” a lot lately? If so, it isn’t your imagination. This tree, which is indigenous to Southeast Asia, has entered the mainstream vernacular at an unprecedented rate.
The leaves of the kratom tree contain two psychoactive alkaloids: mitragynine and 7-Hydroxymitrogynine. Yet, when people talk about the plant, they’re actually referring to a broad category that consists of many different strains.
What are the main types of kratom and what makes each one unique? Today, we’re breaking down the major differences and similarities you need to know.
What Are Kratom Strains?
Before we dive into all of the different kratom strains that exist, let’s take a step back. What is a strain in the first place?
Put simply, the word “strain” refers to plants that have the same genetic makeup. This differs from a “species”, which describes plants with different genetics. If you’re familiar with the various marijuana strains that researchers have discovered, then it may be easier to understand how kratom strains develop.
The various strains of a plant are all derived from the same species. However, they will have notable differences that set them apart. These usually occur because of a genetic mutation, cross-breeding, or variations in growing environments.
In kratom, the alkaloid content in each strain is what sets it apart. To date, there are more than 50 individual strains of kratom, and more could be on the horizon as we continue to learn more about this plant and its leaves.
Thankfully, there’s a relatively easy way to categorize all of these different strains: by color! Once you understand what each color represents, it becomes easier to sort and classify them. Let’s take a look.
What Causes Different Colors?
Have you ever wondered why one strain of kratom may look completely different from another? This is due to the color of the leaves. As they mature on the tree, the color of their central vein changes, which affects their overall appearance.
Color changes represent a shift in the leaf’s alkaloid content. When a leaf is completely immature, it will be white. As it slowly matures, it turns green and then red.
A kratom leaf that’s completely red is known to be fully mature. At each maturity stage, the kratom leaves will possess different qualities, and they retain those qualities when they’re harvested.
In addition to color, there are a few other ways you can categorize kratom strains. These include:
- The place of growing origin
- The shape of their leaves
- The techniques used to produce them
While these represent the different kratom variations, all strains will fall into one of the four primary color categories. Here are the ones to know.
Red Vein Kratom
Red vein kratom is one of the most popular varieties. These leaves are fully mature and contain a high amount of the 7-Hydroxymitrogynine alkaloid.
One example is our Red Bali Kratom Capsules, which contain red vein kratom powder. Other popular types of red vein kratom include:
- Red Borneo Kratom
- Red Hulu Kratom
- Red Thai Kratom
- Red Asia Kratom
- Red Maeng Da Kratom
In addition to capsules, you can also find 100% pure red vein kratom powder in our online shop.
Green Vein Kratom
Maturity-wise, green vein kratom is in the middle. Their alkaloid profile is balanced, as there isn’t one that outweighs the other.
Take a look at our Green Borneo Kratom Capsules, for instance. Made without any fillers or additives, it’s 100% pure.
Other common forms of green vein kratom include:
- Green Bali Kratom
- Green Indo Kratom
- Green Maeng Da Kratom
- Green Malaysian Kratom
- Green Raiu Kratom
Falling right at the midpoint of the color spectrum, green varieties of kratom aren’t as mature as red but have remained on the tree longer than white varieties.
Yellow Vein Kratom
The maturity scale that applies to red, green, and white kratom isn’t exactly applicable to yellow vein varieties. Instead, this strain is likely produced when two different strains of kratom (such as green and red or white and green) are mixed together.
While yellow vein kratom isn’t as popular as some other strains, it’s still important to mention. You’ll find several varieties in our online shop, including Yellow Maenga Da Kratom Capsules. Other common types of yellow vein kratom include:
- Yellow Bali Kratom
- Yellow Vietnam Kratom
- Yellow Horn Kratom
- Yellow Elephant Kratom
- Yellow Malay Kratom
In terms of strength of properties, yellow vein kratom appears to exhibit a level that is most similar to green strains.
White Vein Kratom
While red vein varieties are higher in 7-Hydroxymitrogynine, this isn’t the case with white vein kratom. Instead, this strain has higher amounts of the mitragynine alkaloid.
Our White Horn Kratom Capsules are a great example. They’re filled with wholesale and bulk kratom powder sourced directly from family-owned and operated farms in Indonesia, optimizing the quality and purity.
Other common types of white vein kratom include:
- White Maeng Da Kratom
- White Bali Kratom
- White Horn Kratom
- White Sumatra Kratom
- White Elephant Kratom
As mentioned, white vein kratom leaves have not reached full maturity at the time of harvest. In addition to capsules, you can also find white vein kratom powder in our online shop.
Discover Different Types of Kratom Today
Are you interested in buying kratom online in bulk? Now that you know more about what you can expect from the different types of kratom, it’s important to make sure you’re purchasing it from a reputable source.
At EZ Kratom, our team is dedicated to providing the highest-quality kratom products at a fair, affordable price point. We source all of our products from small, family-owned farms, making sure all of the leaves are precisely picked, finely ground, and dried indoors to retain alkaloid content and consistency.
Interested in learning more? Feel free to shop all of our kratom products today!