Behind the Scenes: How Kratom is Harvested, Processed, and Produced
Kratom, also known as Mitragyna Speciosa, is a herb that has gained tremendous popularity in recent times, especially among wellness enthusiasts. What many people don’t know is that Kratom grows in the wild. The leaves are harvested, cleaned and processed to make them ready and convenient for you. Due to lack of information about this, many have trouble understanding the Kratom products as well. In this blog, we will delve deeper into the fascinating world of Kratom and explore how it is harvested, processed, and produced.
Kratom: A Quick Backstory
The origin of Kratom is still somewhat of a mystery. There are conflicting opinions about where the herb first grew in Southeast Asia, whether it was in what is today Thailand or on the island of Borneo. However, local villages and tribes have been passing down verbal histories for centuries, which suggests that the herb’s origin lies in both places. Despite its uncertain beginnings, Kratom has been highly sought after for its remarkable soothing properties since as early as 500 B.C.
Today, the herb can be found growing in many Southeast Asian and Pacific countries like Malaysia, Indonesia, Vietnam, Cambodia, Thailand, and more. These regions have the perfect weather, climatic conditions, and soil composition that make them ideal for cultivating Kratom plants. Growing Kratom outside of Southeast Asia is challenging due to its intolerance to colder temperatures and frost, making large-scale cultivation outside of its native region difficult. The Kratom tree can grow to be over 18 meters tall and over 4.5 meters wide, with light to dark green oval-shaped leaves. In addition, Kratom is highly valued for its diverse range of benefits that have helped countless people in their daily lives.
Kratom: Harvestation of the Leaves
Kratom harvesting is an intricate process that requires careful attention to detail. Farmers must consider many factors, including the size and coloration of the leaves, the plant’s maturity, and the time of harvest, to produce high-quality Kratom leaves. The Kratom leaves are broadly classified into three main categories, like the white-vein, green-vein, and red-vein Kratom strains. However, the coloration changes based on the amount of sunlight received, genetics, and maturity of the Kratom plant. The main vein of the Kratom leaf is also a source of inconsistency as it changes the vein color over time. Kratom farmers harvest the leaves upon reaching the intended ideal maturity. The time of harvest affects the alkaloid composition and concentration of Kratom leaves directly. Alkaloids are certain naturally occurring botanical compounds that are primarily responsible for the plant’s fascinating properties.
The timing of the harvest is crucial, as a white-veined leaf can become a green-veined leaf within a few months and progress into a red-veined leaf within a year or two. Therefore, Kratom cultivators have developed accurate harvesting schedules to produce the desired amount of leaves from each vein category and ensure they produce high-quality Kratom leaves with optimal alkaloid content.
Kratom Processing: How Are the Harvested Kratom Leaves Processed?
After the Kratom leaves are harvested, the processing begins with cleaning, drying, and grinding. The leaves are cleaned in water to remove dirt and debris, as it is impossible to detect any contamination without lab tests once the products are made. Leaves are layered on large trays to dry either indoors or under the sun. The duration of drying time determines the final alkaloid composition of the leaves, which is responsible for the distinct differences between Kratom strains. The leaves are then ground with the help of large industrial grinders to produce the fine-grained Kratom powder that most customers are familiar with. Some Kratom strains are produced with an alternative drying process depending on the strain and manufacturer. Some may include fermentation of the leaves as well, which results in a unique aroma and alkaloid concentration.
Kratom Products: How Are Kratom Products Produced?
After the preparation of Kratom powder, it undergoes post-processing and packaging to create various Kratom products. Among these products are Kratom capsules, which contain accurately measured Kratom powder in pre-manufactured gelatin capsules. Additionally, Kratom extracts are also available, which are concentrated Kratom alkaloids created by boiling the powder with other liquids and then evaporating them. Although Kratom powder remains the most popular form of the herb, capsules and extracts offer customers alternative options to purchase their preferred strains and explore new ones.
This article emphasizes that high-quality Kratom is the result of careful attention to detail throughout the entire growing, processing, and packaging process. Krave Kratom provides a range of all-natural, ethically sourced Kratom products without any additives or filler ingredients. We highly recommend checking out our website to explore our full range of Kratom products and start shopping today.