What is Kratom? If you keep up with the news from the herbal market in the US, you must have heard about this all-natural herb. Most people are intrigued by this plant and the hype that surrounds it. Sure enough, Kratom has become very popular in the US in a short span.
Let’s answer your burning question: What’s Kratom? In this article, we’ll discuss the basic features of Kratom, different types of Kratom, and where you can buy it.
What is Kratom?
Kratom or Mitragyna Speciosa is an evergreen tree that grows throughout the year in different parts of Southeast Asia. Mainly found in Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand, and Myanmar, the Kratom herb also grows in some other parts of the continent.
Traditionally, Kratom leaves were part of local culture and part of a lifestyle for the local rural population. As a result, the cultivation of Kratom has always been high.
Growing up to 82 feet, the tree’s trunk can be up to 3 feet in diameter (rare though). Thus, it’s hard to miss a bunch of Kratom plants growing on a tropical island. The distinct characteristic of the trunk is the outer bark, which is grey and somewhat smooth.
As for the leaves – the source of Kratom herb – they are green and have a glossy sheen over them. Starting from 14cm, the leaves can be as long as 20cm and as broad as 5 inches when completely open.
The pair of veins in each leaf can range from 12 to 17. It’s the vein color that differentiates different types of Kratom.
Originally, Pieter Korthals, a Dutch botanist, identified this herb that is so common now. Since its initial discovery, the herb has been renamed multiple times. Today, Kratom is sourced from different countries and islands in Southeast Asia.
Types of Kratom
Although all types of Kratom grow on the same tree, the strains have different characteristics. Mainly, the difference between Kratom strains is the alkaloid concentration and appearance of the leaves.
In general, there are two ways to categorize Kratom:
- Vein colors
- Kratom strains
What are Kratom Colors?
It can be very confusing for new enthusiasts to understand how different Kratom colors originate and how they can all grow on the same tree. Well, that’s the beauty of this tree.
As mentioned earlier, each leaf has several vein pairs. During their youth, the veins are white, suitable for making white vein Kratom.
As they get older, the color shifts from white to green. Farmers harvest these leaves to form green vein Kratom which is popular among enthusiasts.
Towards their old age, the leaves turn red, thus, being a source for red vein Kratom. It has the highest alkaloid concentration, and farmers need to be extra careful while harvesting it.
Gold Kratom and yellow vein Kratom are lesser-known strains that are slowly making their way into the mainstream Kratom community.
What are Kratom Strains
Secondly, experts classify the Kratom plant into strains, depending on the alkaloid concentration and origin. The name for every variety comes from its native lands, such as Bali Gold or Yellow Vietnam.
However, there are a few exceptions. For instance, the Red Horn Kratom strain is named after the leaves’ horned shape rather than Borneo, its place of origin.
Where Can You Buy Kratom?
If we have managed to spike your interest in the herb by now, let us do you another favor and tell you where you can buy Kratom. Luckily, Kratom is quite popular in the US now, so you won’t have to go through much trouble to acquire it.
Here are the two places to purchase Kratom:
- Local vendors
- Online stores
If you want to buy Kratom locally, head over to the nearest smoke shop, bar, gas station, or vape shop to check if they stock the herb. Make sure that you’re buying from a reliable seller because local sellers have a poor reputation for quality control.
The second and better option is to shop online. Right now, there are tons of Kratom stores online, like Kratom Source USA, that offer different strains, colors, and types. Whether you want Kratom powder or Kratom capsules, you’ll easily find it in online stores.
Also, online stores tend to have better quality than local sellers and allow bulk buying. Consider some tips for buying Kratom online before you spend your money on an online purchase.
Once you dive into the world of Kratom, you’ll find a lot of exciting things about the herb, and the answer to the question, what is Kratom. If you’re new, welcome to the fandom. As a beginner, you must be very cautious about choosing the best vendor for buying Kratom.
Otherwise, you’ll lose a lot of money on subpart purchases that will probably put you off the herb. Thus, get guidance from Kratom veterans and vendor reviews when selecting a new seller for your Kratom fix. You can also get help from our Kratom blog.
