You must have noticed different kratom varieties while shopping for kratom online or in a store.
The kratom plant has been widely recognized in Southeast Asia since the 19th century.
Over time, people in the West also started acknowledging the plant due to its herbal properties. This increased the global demand for kratom. Over time, the new kratom strains and varieties made it to the market, appealing to kratom enthusiasts.
Let’s learn about the common kratom strains differentiated based on their vein color.
Forms of Kratom
Some of the commonly available forms of kratom are:
- Crushed Leaf: This form of kratom is used to prepare kratom tea.
- Powder: The loose powder format is versatile and offers flexibility to the user.
- Capsule: Ideal for people who want a hassle-free experience.
- Stem and Vein: The stem and veins are separated from the leaves and used to make other products, such as soaps.
- Extract: Kratom extract is the concentrated kratom made through the process of distillation.
Varieties of Kratom Based on Vein Color
We broadly classify kratom based on its leaves’ vein color. This vein color variation is an indicator of leaf age. Based on the stage of maturity:
- White veins represent younger leaves
- Green veins represent maturing leaves
- Red veins represent fully mature kratom leaves
Different vein-colored kratom leaves have unique alkaloid compositions, distinguishing one particular strain from the others.
Also, the geographical conditions in which kratom plants grow change the plant’s alkaloid profile, further modifying its effects.
White Vein Kratom
Just as the name suggests, white vein kratom is harvested from the kratom plant when the leaves have white veins. The pale or white-colored veins are visible on the leaves’ surface. Moreover, the white kratom strains have a subtle, fresh aroma that is similar.
White vein kratom contains several (up to 24) alkaloids. The alkaloids are immature because, for the white-veined strain, the youngest plant leaves are harvested, which have spent the least time in the wild.
Forms of White Kratom
The following are different forms of white kratom, each with a unique alkaloid profile:
- Crushed Leaf
- Powder
- Capsule
- Stem and Vein
- Extract
Irrespective of the form, taking kratom depends on an individual’s:
- Weight of the person
- Metabolic health
- Desired effect
- Prior exposure to kratom
Subtypes of White Kratom
Different varieties of white vein kratom are available according to the geographical regions. The strength and overall impact of different white kratom strains greatly vary. Some of the white vein kratom subtypes are:
- White Maeng Da
- White Borneo
- White Thai
- White Bali
- White Sumatra
- White Hulu
- White Horn
- White Indo
- White Malay
- White Vietnam
- White Dragon
- White Elephant
Green Vein Kratom
Another type of kratom is the green-vein kratom, harvested from the growing kratom leaves, which appear green in color.
Green kratom is known for its characteristic earthy taste and aroma. It is a balanced strain because its potency lies between white and red kratom strains. The unique properties of green vein kratom are due to its intermediate mature alkaloid profile.
Forms of Green Kratom
Some of the commonly available forms of green kratom are:
- Crushed Leaf
- Powder
- Capsule
- Extract
Subtypes of Green Kratom
Some of the green vein kratom subtypes are:
- Green Maeng Da
- Green Borneo
- Green Thai
- Green Bali
- Green Sumatra
- Green Hulu
- Green Horn
- Green Indo
- Green Malay
- Green Vietnam
- Green Dragon
- Green Elephant
- Super Green
Red Vein Kratom
Red kratom is a well-recognized kratom variety, known for its mature alkaloid profile. The red-veined plants have a characteristic earthy aroma that feels dense and separates them from the other kratom varieties.
The red-veined strains’ leaves have prominent red venation visible from the underside of glossy dark-green leaves. Just like any other kratom form, this is also available as powder and capsules and can be used with different foods.
Subtypes of Red Kratom
Some of the red vein kratom subtypes are:
- Red Maeng Da
- Red Borneo
- Red Thai
- Red Bali
- Red Sumatra
- Red Hulu
- Red Horn
- Red Indo
- Red Malay
- Red Dragon
- Red Elephant
Yellow Golden Kratom
Yellow is not the primary color of kratom. This kratom is prepared using white and green vein kratom strains. It also goes through a special drying process that imparts the specific color.
Preparation Methods
Kratom trees are evergreen and grow in humid and hot conditions. The leaves on a kratom plant can be in different growth phases and exhibit different vein colors. For kratom preparation, both wild and cultivated kratom trees are preferred.
Kratom leaves are harvested depending on the strain type you want to prepare. Hand-picked kratom leaves then go through the process of drying. After drying, the leaves can be crushed into powder and packed into capsules.
For kratom extract, the leaves go through the distillation process, harvesting a concentrated product.
Sometimes, kratom leaves go through the process of fermentation. For this, leaves are packed into bags where moisture causes them to ferment, which results in high alkaloid concentration.
Bottom Line
Kratom strains are quite diverse and come in different varieties varying in vein color and their origin of cultivation.
Other than these basic strains, kratom blends are also quite popular. These blends are prepared by combining different strains in specific ratios.
However, one has to be mindful that not every kratom strain is suitable for them. Each strain and blend has its unique alkaloid profile and herbal properties. People with existing medical conditions or on medications should be cautious about using any of the kratom strains.
So, make sure to consult with a healthcare professional to make informed decisions.
