The extraction process of Kratom from growth to your cup of tea
Introduction:
Kratom is a tree-like plant native to Southeast Asia. It is found in Indonesia, Malaysia, and other nearby regions. Kratom leaves have been used for their medicinal properties for centuries. They make people feel more energetic and motivated, which can increase productivity.
Kratom has been used in society for a long time as a natural botanical to promote health and wellness. Users take it to increase their overall happiness and for its benefits of increasing alertness and cognitive function. Kratom also offers support when trying to decrease irritability in the human body.
Thanks to Kratom’s growing popularity in Western culture, more people and suppliers are taking notice. The Botanical Education Alliance estimates that the Kratom industry is exploding, with an estimated worth of over $1 billion this year.
This article examines how processing applies to the Kratom industry in general and what consumers need to know before they try it.
How Kratom is grown?
Kratom is an evergreen plant that can be grown in environments with warm, sunny, and humid climates. It can be grown in rainforests. It grows best in soils with a pH level of 5.5-6.5. It grows best in is moist places that also get sun exposure and has a humidity of more than 70%.
This plant does well with a regular amount of water, but excessive amounts can cause fungus and bugs which may endanger the plant’s wellbeing. The importance of irrigation and drainage in the growing process should not be ignored.
Kratom can grow tall up to 80 feet, in the right conditions. It is a type of evergreen tree, so it has large, dark green leaves that will regrow quickly after they have been shed in autumn. This means you can grow the plant and produce it all year-round.
How Kratom is harvested?
Kratom trees can grow to a height of 20ft and their leaves should be harvested before they naturally drop. If you wait too long, the leaves become less fresh and this impacts the quality of your final Kratom products.
For example, certain Kratom strains, such as red vein Kratom, consist mostly of mature leaves while green and white strains are produced with younger leaves. The right age is indicated in the name of each strain; for instance, red vein (older) or green (younger) is usually used.
The Leaves are hand-picked in large quantities by farmers and then they remove the stems
How Kratom is manufactured?
After harvesting, Kratom leaves need to be dried and processed. Different methods are used in the manufacturing process and it all depends on what you want from the end product.
Natural Drying process:
Traditionally, farmers would dry Kratom leaves in the sun. This is also sometimes done today. But there are more advanced ways of drying the plants to produce a higher-quality product.
To prepare Kratom leaves, they are dried or cured for various lengths of time. Three major strains are red, white, and green. Most Kratom begins as a red strain but the color and variety depending on how it is dried, in the sunlight or UV light are used to speed up the process.
Fermentation process:
It is unclear how this process impacts the potency or alkalodic profiles of Kratom but some strains are thought to be fermented before being sold because they have different colors or variations. The way it is grown and harvested also affects the concentration of substances like alkaloids, but not as much as fermentation.
Pasteurization:
One other step in the production of Kratom is pasteurizing it. Kratom suppliers following a multi-tiered treatment process typically involve pasteurizing Kratom with mild heat to reduce the microbial load, increasing shelf life, and making the color more consistent.
Testing process:
Once the Kratom has been processed, reputable Kratom providers use third-party testing to ensure the powder is free of any filler or other harmful contaminants.
If you are purchasing Kratom, make sure it has been tested for any harmful or dangerous contents. Reputable sites use third-party testing before release to their consumers. When purchasing from a new site, check their reviews and if they can show tests on their products.
For assurance and health safety, consumers can ask vendors for certificates of analysis (COA), microbiology tests to ensure they’re safe and not contaminated, statements of identity, or contact information so you can verify their legitimacy.
Kratom companies have to follow the FDA’s GMP standards in order to comply with federal regulations. If they abide by those, they should be able to provide a certificate of analysis or microbes test that shows adhering to standards.
How Kratom can be consumed?
Once Kratom has been harvested, processed, and tested, it’s ready for consumption.
Chewing Kratom leaves:
Kratom leaves are traditionally made for chewing them. Some modern methods of consuming it include chewing its raw leaves with a betel nut and other plants, mixing it with food. As Kratom is known for being bitter in taste, some people like to sweeten the taste by adding things like honey and other sweet syrups.
Brew it in tea:
Kratom leaves are traditionally made into a drink by boiling them. Kratom tea can be enjoyed on its own or as a base for another type of tea such as green, black, or ginger tea. Some people take it with coffee to enhance the effects, which is a popular way of taking it. It can increase energy levels and improve body functionality when mixed with coffee.
Kratom powder:
Another way to enjoy Kratom is to use the powder. So, like crushed leaves, you can put them in tea or add them to other drinks. Some people like putting it in their smoothie and adding other ingredients so they can make a healthy meal/snack.
Kratom can also be taken in capsule form or mixed in with a drink. The toss-and-wash technique includes putting Kratom on the back of your tongue and following it with water or citrus juice.
Kratom capsule:
In addition to the popular consumption method which is tea, another frequently used way to consume Kratom is in capsule form. This is an alternative for people who don’t like the bitter flavor. They come in various formulations and are a simple way to enjoy the different flavors.
Conclusion:
Kratom, the common name for Mitragyna speciosa, is harvested from a tropical tree living in hot, humid areas. The leaves of the tree are harvested and dried and processed until ripe. After drying and fermenting them they are tested before being packaged and sent to customers.
The leaves are crushed to produce a powder that can be mixed with water or tea. It has been used as an opioid substitute by those wishing to stop using heroin or other strong opioids but has also been used recreationally because of its psychoactive properties.
The process of Kratom production takes many steps and is heavily regulated by the FDA. After manufacturing, it’s tested for any toxic contamination. When buying from any internet vendor, be sure to check that their products feature an FDA-approved certificate.