The way Kratom is harvested and dried can significantly impact its quality and effectiveness. From traditional practices to modern techniques, each method has its own unique approach to preserving the plant’s potent properties.
In this guide, we’ll dive into the various Kratom harvesting and drying methods used by experts, giving you an insider’s look at how these processes shape the final product you enjoy.
Whether you’re curious about what makes one strain different from the other or want to learn more about the vein colors, this guide is exactly what you need.
Basics To Know Before The Kratom Harvestation Process Begins
Before we move on to the part about how kratom is harvested, let’s understand some basics first.The Kratom plant is processed in various ways, and these methods create the different Bed Kratom strains available in the market.
Bedrock Kratom Powder leaves are generally grouped into three main types: White Vein, Green Vein, and Red Vein.
The word ‘vein’ refers to the patterns found below the leaf’s surface.
- Younger Kratom trees have leaves with lighter-colored veins, known as White veins.
- As the trees grow older, the veins on their leaves blend more with the leaf’s color, which is called Green veins.
- The oldest Kratom leaves have veins that turn reddish or brownish, known as Red Veins.
Timing is of great importance when harvesting Mitragyna speciosa leaves. The color of the leaf can change as the tree matures. For example, a White Vein Kratom leaf may turn into a Green Vein leaf after a few months, and with more time, that green leaf can become a Red Vein leaf within a year or two.
Most Kratom leaves are red when harvested, and the processing methods after harvesting determine the powder’s final color and alkaloid content.
Because of the importance of timing, Kratom growers have developed precise harvesting schedules to make sure they produce the right amount of White, Green, and Red Vein Mitragyna speciosa.
Kratom has been cultivated on dedicated farms for hundreds of years, giving farmers plenty of time to perfect their techniques through experience and learning.
Kratom Harvestation With Stems & Without Stems
When harvesting Kratom leaves, some farmers choose to leave the stems attached, while others remove them. Studies suggest that leaves harvested with stems still on may develop a slightly different mix of alkaloids compared to leaves without stems.
Interestingly, it might be better to remove the stems during harvesting, but this depends largely on the experience and knowledge of the Kratom growers.
Processing Mitragyna Speciosa Leaves After Harvest
Once the Kratom leaves are picked at the perfect stage (classified as White Vein, Green Vein, or Red Vein), the next step is to either start drying them or begin the fermentation process.
Drying Kratom Leaves
After Kratom leaves are picked, they need to be dried right away, and the method used can impact the final product. Here are the two common ways:
Indoor Drying:
The leaves are spread out in dark rooms with no sunlight. Large fans are used to keep the air moving and help dry the leaves. This method needs careful attention to cleanliness, as poor moisture control can lead to mold or mildew.
Outdoor Drying:
Leaves are laid out in thin layers under the sun for 24-72 hours. Sunlight helps prevent mold and mildew, making this method easier to manage.
However, weather conditions need to be closely watched, and the leaves need to be stirred every few hours to ensure even drying.
Sometimes, the leaves go through both indoor and outdoor drying. The time spent in each environment plays a big role in determining the strength of the final powder.
Fermenting Kratom Leaves
After the Kratom harvest, some leaves are placed in burlap sacks and left to ferment in a dark indoor setting instead of being dried right away. While this is commonly done with Red Vein Kratom, any type of leaf can undergo this process.
Fermentation changes the natural compounds in the Kratom leaves, resulting in a different alkaloid mix. Because the process requires more time and careful handling, fermented Kratom varieties are often priced higher than non-fermented ones.
The fermentation period typically lasts from 24 to 72 hours. Afterward, the leaves are dried indoors or outdoors, depending on the farmer’s choice.
Now Let’s Refine Kratom Powder
Once Kratom leaves have been picked, harvested, dried, or fermented, their moisture is almost lost. At this stage, the leaves are ready to be ground down to the ideal consistency.
The finer the Mitragyna speciosa powder, the better it blends into drinks and the faster it’ll be absorbed into the body.
In the past, farmers would use a mortar and pestle to grind the dried leaves by hand. Today, with the global demand for Kratom on the rise, specialized machinery is used to crush the leaves quickly and efficiently into a very fine powder.
Pasteurization & Potency Testing
Now that the harvestation and drying of the leaves are done, it is time to check their potency, which is the most important step.
Pasteurization
To make sure the Kratom powder is free from harmful microbes, controlled heat is applied. This process, known as pasteurization, is scientifically proven to kill over 99% of any bacteria or other contaminants that could be present in the powder.
Third-Party Lab Testing & Packaging
Third-party lab tests are conducted to make sure the product is pure and potent. The two main goals of this step are, checking for harmful substances like heavy metals and analysing the concentration of key plant compounds, such as Mitragynine and 7-Hydroxymitragynine.
Bedrock Botanicals uses advanced equipment with sensitive probes that can spot even the tiniest particles that are not visible to the naked eye.
If any Bedrock Kratom product is found to be contaminated, it is safely disposed of. Only the one that meets strict purity standards proceeds to the next stages of blending and packaging.
Once the Kratom powder is thoroughly tested and screened, it’s ready for packaging.
We also prioritize safety and quality. Our packaging and shipping follow strict industry standards. This means the Kratom you get from Bedrock Botanicals is pure, potent, and free from contaminants.
Growing Kratom In The USA
Growing Kratom in the USA is a topic that requires a good understanding of both legal and agricultural aspects.
Legal Considerations
The legality of Kratom varies by state and even by city in the US. Some states like Alabama, Arkansas, Indiana, Rhode Island, Vermont, and Wisconsin have banned Kratom, making its cultivation illegal.
In other states where Kratom is legal, there may still be restrictions or regulations regarding its growth and sale.
Before you consider growing Kratom in the US, it’s necessary to check the local laws in your area to make sure that it’s allowed to avoid legal consequences.
Agricultural Challenges
Kratom naturally grows in a tropical environment, which means expecting those same conditions in the U.S. can be difficult. Its trees thrive in warm, humid climates with plenty of rainfall, similar to the conditions in Thailand, Indonesia, or Malaysia.
In the U.S., the southern states, particularly Florida, have the most suitable climate for growing Kratom.
However, even in these states, maintaining the right conditions can be challenging. Kratom trees need rich, well-drained soil, consistent watering, and protection from cold temperatures, which can be hard to manage outside of a greenhouse setting.
Growing Kratom
If you decide to grow Kratom in a state where it’s legal, here are some key steps to follow:
- Make sure the environment is warm and humid. Use a greenhouse or indoor growing setup if you’re in a cooler region.
- Kratom prefers fertile, well-drained soil. Using a mixture of organic compost, sand, and peat moss can create an ideal growing medium.
- Kratom trees should be watered regularly, but make sure the soil doesn’t become waterlogged, as this can cause root rot.
- It needs plenty of light but should be protected from direct sunlight, especially in hotter climates, to prevent leaf burn.
- Kratom is a slow-growing plant, and it can take several years for the tree to mature and produce potent leaves to harvest.
Bottom Line
As you can see now, a lot goes into the entire process of harvesting Kratom until you receive the final product. Each step, from precise harvesting to careful drying and fermentation, plays an important role in shaping the quality and effectiveness of your Kratom.
Understanding these methods highlights the complexity and dedication involved in delivering a high-quality product that meets rigorous standards.
FAQs
Can Different Drying Methods Affect The Taste Of Kratom?
Yes, different drying methods can impact the taste. Sun-dried Kratom may have a more natural, earthy flavor, while indoor drying can lead to a milder taste due to more controlled conditions.
How Long Do Kratom Trees Take To Grow For Harvest?
Kratom trees typically take 2-3 years to mature enough for harvest.
How To Correctly Harvest And Cure Kratom?
Harvest mature leaves, dry them in a shaded area, and cure them by storing them in an airtight container for a few weeks.
What Factors Influence The Colour Of Kratom Leaves?
Their maturity mainly affects the color of the leaves. Younger leaves tend to be lighter in color, while older leaves turn darker. Environmental factors and the specific Kratom strain also play a role.