Whether you’ve tried kratom in the past or you’re brand-new to this plant, there’s a good chance you haven’t heard of kratom resin. That’s because this version of the substance isn’t as widely known or sold as other forms, such as powders and extracts.
To understand why this is the case, it helps to dive into the different types of kratom that are readily available. Today, we’re taking a closer look at kratom resin and sharing the characteristics that set it apart from the rest.
Understanding the Different Kinds of Kratom
Kratom is an herbal substance derived from a tropical evergreen tree known as the Mitragyna speciosa. Part of the coffee family, this tree grows natively in Southeast Asia. Although all kratom products are derived from this species, the products can vary based on how the leaves are harvested and dried.
As a result, kratom is usually characterized by the color of its leaves. This is why in most shops you’ll find products that range from Green Borneo Kratom to White Maeng Da Kratom and a range of different strains in between.
Today, you can find kratom in many different forms. Some of the most common and popular ones include:
- Kratom extract
- Kratom powder
- Kratom leaves
- Kratom capsules or tablets
While kratom resin shares certain properties with these forms (such as extract), it belongs to a separate classification. Let’s take a look at the defining features of this substance.
What Is Kratom Resin?
At its core, kratom resin is a type of kratom extract. Extracts are more concentrated versions of the plant than you’ll find in other forms, such as powders.
To make most forms of kratom, manufacturers begin with leaves from the kratom plant. Then, they put those leaves through a special type of extraction process. The final product can take many forms, including liquid, solid, or powder.
When the output is solid, it’s known as kratom resin. This highly processed, concentrated substance contains some of kratom’s top alkaloids, as well as other key bioactive compounds. It’s also more dense than more traditional forms, including Kratom powders or capsules.
Appearance
Most resins are dense and a little sticky, and kratom resin is no exception. It has a distinct, different look that makes it recognizable from other types of kratom on the market.
Some people think the resin looks like honey. If it’s especially dark, it can even look like tar.
If you’ve mostly dealt with powdered or whole-leaf kratom, you’ll definitely notice a difference! Size-wise, it’s usually shaped like small, dark rocks when whole.
Texture
Apart from being sticky, kratom resin is also hard and breakable. This solidified extract is highly concentrated and contains tightly condensed plant matter within it. In fact, the plant matter is what gives it its trademark dark hue.
You can break the resin into smaller pieces or even grind it into a powder. In many ways, its texture is similar to glass. It’s hard enough to be solid and substantial but will break or crack when you apply force.
The Manufacturing Process
Now that we’ve covered what kratom resin looks like, let’s explore how this unique substance is made. The process required to create this extra-concentrated solid extract involves a few key steps. Here’s a quick breakdown:
Extraction
Kratom resin begins the way that all of the plant’s extracts do. First, the whole or powdered leaves will go through a type of extraction.
In certain cases, manufacturers may apply a specific kind of alcohol-based extraction method. More often, they’ll obtain the extract by boiling, evaporating, and cooling the plant matter. Despite the type of extraction used, they’ll normally add citric acid to increase the concentration of the substance in its final form.
Boling and Evaporation
Of all the different kratom extracts, resin is the most concentrated. Once the plant matter evaporates, manufacturers give it time to harden into hard blocks. When the blocks are completely cooled and solid, they’ll break the resin into smaller pieces.
The characteristic potency of kratom resin comes from this boiling process. During that time, anything that isn’t a strong alkaloid concentrate is boiled off, leaving the most powerful substance behind.
Measuring Concentration
It’s important to understand the concentration of any kratom resin product. However, this metric can be challenging to decipher, especially if you’re at home. Most manufacturers will list this information on the label, so be sure to read the product information carefully.
Typically, they’ll label their resin in terms of multiples compared to the original plant form. For instance, the label might say “7x Kratom Resin” which means that it’s seven times as concentrated as the original. This substance can even go as high as ” 20x” in some cases.
When a substance like kratom becomes concentrated, that simply means it contains a greater number of alkaloids.
Understanding Safety
Resin is the most high-concentration kratom you can find, and it’s important to handle it carefully. It also has a very high alkaloid concentration, though not all manufacturers are as forthcoming about exactly what is contained inside of it.
If you do decide to purchase kratom resin, only do so through a vetted, reputable supplier that makes all of its products in a lab and follows standardized processes. This way, you can get a more accurate measurement of the product’s total alkaloid content. It’s important to understand exactly what is in the product, especially if you’re accustomed to other forms, such as powders.
Learn More About Kratom Resin
Now that you know a little more about kratom resin, are you curious about other forms of the plant? At EZ Kratom, we’re here to answer your questions and help you find the products you need!
We offer wholesale kratom powders, extracts, and capsules, and we lab-test all 10 of the strains we offer for quality and purity. Our team is available to help you learn as much as possible about this substance. Feel free to shop all of our selections online, and reach out to us if you have any questions!