Posted by Kratom doesn’t have the same quality from every source, and processing is sure to differ from vendor to vendor. Even at the level of extraction, there are different methods. Personal discussions about kratom can mention dose-dependent effects and effects depending on the strain and vein, making it even more complicated.
But do harvesting, drying, fermenting, and processing methods really matter in the outcome of the final product? In short: Yes, in terms of developing the kratom product’s alkaloid profile, which affects everything else.
From start to finish, everything that’s done to kratom makes a difference. Get the scoop on the how and why, here.
Harvest Time
The time of maturity at harvest determines the kratom’s color, transforms the proportions of its alkaloids, and changes its effects.
White Vein
Young leaves get an early harvest ranging from within the first few weeks to 2-3 months of leaves appearing. The mitragynine is in an un-oxidized state, meaning it’s still pure and in its original chemical state. They usually get a quick drying indoors, away from light. The result is that the mitragynine predominates over minor alkaloids, binds even more weakly to mu-opioid receptors, and greatly acts on serotonin receptors and alpha-2 adrenergic receptors. They also do not contain any of the sedating, opioid-like 7-hydroxymitragynine. Effects-wise, kratom from young white leaves lead to a fast onset and short duration and result in alertness, focus, and physical energy.
If you’re looking for similar effects in a modern format, check out Real Botanicals’ full-spectrum Super Kratom capsules in mild, moderate, and maximum strengths. It’s dose-dependent, so the effects can be stimulating, balanced, or relaxing.
Green Vein
More versatile than young or white kratom are middle-maturity leaves, with moderate energy and balanced effects of relaxation and mood uplift. They get harvested at their precise midpoint of their development, allowing the leaves to fully expand.
Real Botanicals’ Acend is a broad-spectrum high-mitragynine tablet. It’s consistent every time thanks to precise formulation in their private laboratory. Much like green vein kratom, it offers effects of mental clarity and calm focus.
Red Vein
Old kratom leaves are fully mature upon harvest. Sun and wind have affected them and oxidized some of the primary alkaloids into secondary or minor ones. Speciocillatine and trace amounts of 7-hydroxymitragynine are a couple examples. The effects are sedation, comfort, and physical relaxation, with moderate pain relief thanks to stronger mu-opioid receptor binding.
Mood Boost kratom and kava shots by Real Botanicals offer many of the same effects, and more. To give you the perfect balance and offset any kratom jitters, it includes L-theanine, GABA, and Ashwagandha. Choose from two strengths with the same amount of kava and more or less kratom.
Drying Processes
The next step is drying, which is very important for finalizing the kratom’s color, potency, and effects and locking in freshness. Low temperature cycles preserve the highest concentrations of primary alkaloids mitragynine, speciogynine, and paynantheine, and you can expect high potency.
The drying environment also matters. Indoor shade-drying prevents oxidation of green vein kratom with a focus on mitragynine, while red and white vein kratom get outdoor sun-drying with UV exposure to prolong the onset and produce heavier, relaxing effects.
To Ferment or Not to Ferment
There are also yellow and gold kratom. These are not as common and are not specific strains, but are a result of special drying and fermentation or mixing different veins together.
Yellow kratom comes from lengthy exposure to indirect sunlight or several days of indoor humidity. It uses green and white kratom and has a “chill but functional” effect.
Gold kratom, on the other hand, comes from red kratom. Short fermentation and air-drying or water-based extraction gives it a golden “tea” color. Its effects are a balance between white and red kratom. It offers an energy boost, mood lift, stress relief, and physical comfort.
Mitragynine extract can also be fermented for unique effects. Then, it becomes much like traditional red vein kratom.
Extraction Process
If the kratom will require extractions for formulating into tablets and shots, then the process is another step that will influence the final product. Alcohol (ethanol) is commonly in use by commercial processors because of their highest raw extraction rates. Some use toxic solvents like chloroform and hexane, but they leave behind residues, and are being replaced with “green’ alternatives.
The extraction process Real Botanicals uses is proprietary advanced technology called ChromaPure that uses Centrifugal Partition Chromatography (CPC), which leaves no residues behind. It’s pharmaceutical-grade, so you’re only getting clean, premium-quality extracts.
Final Product Formation
The format of your kratom product is about more than just personal convenience. It involves differences in the onset, duration, and even the effects, and also depends on the specific ingredients the vendor uses.
Kratom powder (to mix into beverages) and capsules are very similar, except that capsules take longer to digest. Along with edibles like gummies, they have the longest onset but the longest duration.
Tablets are faster-acting than capsules, but probably about the same as powder. The difference is that this format contains kratom extract rather than powdered kratom, so it’s going to be more concentrated.
Kratom as shots are the fastest-acting but also the shortest-lasting. They’re more for evening use and situations where you want to be more relaxed and have a strong mood lift.
Comparison Table
| White | Green | Red | Yellow | Gold | Mitragynine | |
| Age/maturity | Young | Middle maturity | Fully mature/old | Green and white | Green and red | Green (possibly also red) |
| Drying | Outdoor UV exposure | Indoor shade | Outdoor UV exposure | Exposure to indirect sunlight or indoor humidity | Air-drying or water-based extraction | Same as individual kratom |
| Fermenting | No | No | No | No | Yes – short | No |
| Alkaloid profile | Mitragynine-dominant or high-MIT | Balanced between mitragynine and minor alkaloids; broad-spectrum | Mitragynine, 7-hydroxymitragynine, and minor alkaloids; full-spectrum | Mitragynine-dominant with speciogynine and paynantheine; negligible 7-OH; broad or full-spectrum | Higher speciocillatine and other minor alkaloids, trace 7-OH; broad-spectrum | MIT only |
| Effects | Stimulating | Balanced | Relaxing | Chill but functional | Energy, mood, stress relief | Stimulating |
Final Thoughts
Every step in the making of kratom products matters from start to finish. Not all vendors process their kratom the same way, even if they offer the same products. The harvesting, drying, fermenting, and processing of kratom changes its alkaloid profile and effects.
You might also be interested in: High-MIT Kratom vs. Enhanced Leaf: What to Know and Best Time to Take Kratom: Morning vs. Night and Timing by Strain and Real Botanicals’ ChromaPure: Pharmaceutical-Grade Kratom Alkaloid Extraction