Although less than 1% of Americans purchase kratom on a regular basis, kratom products are rapidly gaining popularity. Once you’ve decided which strain of kratom to purchase, you’re left to consider which form of kratom is best for you.
If you’re wondering what the difference is between loose leaf kratom and kratom powder, you’re in the right place. Keep reading to learn more about the different forms of kratom!
Kratom Explained
Before diving into the different forms of kratom, it’s important to understand what kratom is. Here’s a brief overview of kratom and its history.
The Chemical Makeup of Kratom
Kratom is the common name for Mitragyna Speciosa, a tropical tree native to Southeast Asia, the Philippines, and New Guinea. It is part of the Rubiaceae (coffee) family and can grow up to 80 feet tall.
Kratom contains over 25 different alkaloids. It also contains two psychoactive ingredients — mitragynine and 7-hydroxymytragynine. The alkaloids present vary between different kratom strains.
The Origin of Kratom
Kratom was originally grown by indigenous people in Southeast Asia. Some people used extracts from the leaves as a local anesthetic. In 1836, Malaysian workers chewed the leaves or ground them into teas to combat fatigue and improve work productivity.
Kratom is often sold as a capsule or a powder rather than as pure leaves. Although it originated in the East, kratom has recently gained popularity in the West.
The Legality of Kratom
Currently, kratom is not approved by the FDA for human use. This is due in part to the lack of research available.
Kratom legality varies per state. Alabama, Arkansas, Indiana, Rhode Island, Vermont, and Wisconsin, have banned kratom. Make sure you check your state’s laws before purchasing kratom products.
The Variants of Kratom
There are 3 different veins of kratom: red, white, and green. The veins change color based on the maturity of the plant. A leaf in the early stages of development will have white-colored veins while a mature plant will have red veins.
There are numerous strains of kratom, including Red Maeng Da, Green Borneo, and White Horn. The qualities of the kratom varies per strain, as do the properties of such strains. To find what strain is best, consider a kratom sample pack.
Kratom Leaves vs. Kratom Powder
As mentioned above, kratom leaves were often farmed by workers in Southeast Asia. The leaves were readily available to them, as the Mitragyna Speciosa tree was grown locally.
In other parts of the world, kratom is often sold as a powder. Kratom powder is created when kratom leaves are dried and crushed. The leaves are fragile once harvested and break easily, which is why you won’t see many vendors selling them.
Kratom powder is more accessible in the States. Once the kratom leaves have been harvested, they are dried, either in the sun or in the shade. Different drying (or curing) processes are used to achieve different powders.
Once the leaves are dried, kratom farmers crush the leaves into a fine powder. The leaves are then put through an industrial grinder to ensure a fine powder with an even consistency.
Benefits of Kratom Powder
Kratom powder is the most popular form of kratom in the United States, and with good reason.
Because it’s dry, powder kratom is easy to transport without fear of spills or evaporation. The powder can be put into capsules to ensure security during transport. You don’t have to worry about kratom powder spoiling or losing its quality, a huge concern for those who buy kratom leaves or liquid kratom.
In addition, kratom powder is cheap and offers you the opportunity to purchase different types of kratom.
Different Strains of Kratom Powder
There are many different kinds, or strains, of kratom powder. Before you purchase kratom powder or bulk kratom, do some research to find out what strain best meets your needs. Here are a few of our favorite strains:
Maeng Da Kratom
Many kratom buyers consider Maeng Da kratom to be one of the best strains. This strain mainly comes from Thailand and contains more alkaloids than other kinds of kratom, resulting in a more potent strain.
Available in red, green, white, or yellow veins, Maeng Da kratom is recommended for experienced kratom afficionados. Kratom buyers claim that the strain’s effects are strong and long-lasting.
Green Bali Kratom
Green Bali kratom is perfect for those who are new to kratom. Despite the name, Green Bali kratom is actually grown in Borneo. Bali is used as a port of entry for exportation, thus resulting in the name.
Some users report boosted energy levels when using Green Bali kratom.
Gold Vein Kratom
Gold Vein kratom is a hybrid strain made by combining 2 or more other strains. Gold Vein kratom is rarer than the other strains and also the most potent.
If you’re looking to try Gold Vein kratom, make sure to purchase from a reputable vendor and not just search “kratom near me” and look for the closest corner store. This is an advanced strain; make sure you’re buying from a highly reviewed store like EZ Kratom.
What Is Kratom Extract?
You may have heard the terms “kratom powder” and “kratom extract” used interchangeably. However, there are some differences between kratom powder and kratom extract.
To begin with, kratom extract is more concentrated than kratom powder. Kratom extract is made by boiling kratom and filtering out a stronger concentrate. This process results in an advanced kratom product.
Because it takes longer to make, kratom extract is often more expensive than kratom powder.
Purchase Kratom Powder Today
If you’re looking to purchase kratom powder online, make sure you order it from a reliable source. At EZ Kratom, we only provide the best quality wholesale kratom and bulk kratom powders. If a strain comes in that does not pass our qualifications for freshness and quality, we won’t sell it to you.
Check out our website to find quality kratom products that you can trust.