The Different Strains of Kratom: Myths vs Facts

If you’re a new kratom enthusiast, you’re probably eager to learn more about the different types of kratom strains and how kratom strains differ. When you start out looking for where to buy kratom and which are the best kratom strains to try next, it’s important to learn about the different types of kratom strains—not only in a kratom strain chart, but in terms of the science behind their differences.

Even if you’re a veteran kratom lover, you might desire clarification regarding what the differences are between types of kratom strains. One of the main things to know about the herb is the primary differences between kratom strains and the reason behind these differences, but finding accurate information online can be difficult.

In this guide, we’ll go over different the myths on kratom strains as well as the facts so that you’ll be more equipped to discover the best kratoms strains to try next according to your preferences.

How Are Kratom Strains Charts Organized?

Generally, Kratom strains charts are categorized based on two bases:

• Kratom vein Color
• Kratom Origin

You may see other vendors sell kratom strains as house blends or by batch number. No matter how kratom strains are labeled, they all serve the same purpose: to group kratom products by alkaloid content.

How Are Kratom Strains Different?

If you’ve ever looked at a kratom strain chart to figure out the next best kratom strain for you to try, at one point, you may have wondered “how are kratom strains different?”  Due to the relative lack of scientific research on kratom strains, many people get a little confused about the science of kratom strains and alkaloid research. If you quickly search “kratom strain differences Reddit” or “Reddit kratom strains,” you’ll encounter the controversy.

For example, on one thread in r/kratom, someone asks the other Reddit kratom members “what are the best kratom strains?” The first answer is as follows:

“Strain labeling isn’t real, there are color differences and different kratom but there’s far fewer differences than they’d like you to believe based on how kratom is bulk processed and by the time it’s labeled it’s really not known where it came from.”

Many people come to believe that the different types of kratom strains are all the same thing, but they fail to fully understand alkaloid research. Another Reddit kratom comment disagreed, providing a better answer, stating:

“Have you ever read the recipes one farmer uses to make up the so-called strains? It’s true there are only slight variations, that the word “strain” is a misnomer and another word should be used, as it really is just the “recipe” or list of processes done to the leaves after they’re harvested and blended.”

While this comment is long and gets more into the nuances of the differences between kratom strains, it still lacks some key scientific evidence.

Different kratom strains are created by the different growing conditions and process methods (i.e. how the kratom leaves are dried) that affect the alkaloid content of kratom leaves. The kratom strain names are more like “recipes” than different types of kratom leaves. That being said, let’s get into the difference between kratom strains and kratom vein colors.

Kratom Vein Color vs. Kratom Strain Name

Most types of different kratom strains have two parts to their strain name:

1. The Vein color (i.e. red, white, green, yellow)
2. The “Country” or “Origin” (i.e. Bali, Vietnam, Kapuas Hulu)

There are many misconceptions surrounding kratoms strain names, and unfortunately, many kratom vendors do not accurately explain the difference between their strains of kratom for sale.

The definition of kratom vein color does not indicate where the kratom plant was grown. The country of a kratom tree’s origin may have once influenced the original farmers who created different kratom strain recipes, but now it’s not as important, and it’s hard to verify. The meaning of kratom vein color in a strain mostly has to do with the drying process used on the leaves. Different drying processes produce different alkaloid concentrations found in the Mitragyna speciosa leaves.

The purpose of kratom strain names is not directly related to the name of the “country of origin” for the kratom. Rather, strain names are like recipe names that group types of kratom by alkaloid profile. The different strains can have different combinations of other kratom strains or process methods, but they are distinct due to their grouping based on alkaloid content.

Kratom Strain Myths

As we’ve seen before on the Reddit kratom discussions on the different strain types of kratom, there is a lot of misinformation on kratom strains and processes. Let’s get into some of the common myths about kratom strains and vein colors.

Myth #1: Kratom veins refer to the age of kratom leaves

A common myth about kratom vein colors is that the vein color indicates the age of the kratom leaves when they are harvested. The myth goes something like this,

“Kratom colors differ with the plant’s age. In the earlier stages, the kratom plants are green. Thus, farmers harvest them to make green vein kratom. As the plant goes to its middle age, it’s used to make white vein Kratom. Lastly, as the Kratom plant gets mature, it yields Red vein Kratom.”

While the age of kratom leaves may play a role in their alkaloids, this isn’t the main difference that defines kratom color strain names. In truth, white kratom strains often may contain a mix of kratom stems in the blend. Here are the differences between kratom veins:

1. Red “Vein” Kratom: is created when the kratom leaves are first dried in sunlight, grow lights or UV lights. Often, they undergo a fermentation process, but the exact processes can vary. The longer drying time and/or fermentation of red vein kratom generally enhances the alkaloids associated with relaxation over energy. over others.
2. Green “Vein” Kratom: is created when drying kratom leaves dried in an air-conditioned room with little to no light. Then, they may be transferred outside or placed under a light that mimics the sun’s UV rays for about an hour. Green vein kratom maintains a greater balance of alkaloids found in both red vein kratom and white vein kratom due to its process that falls in between the two.
3. White “Vein” Kratom: is created when kratom leaves are dried entirely indoors, without any light, or with limited light exposure. This drying process takes longer than green strains and red strains. Sometimes, ground stems from kratom leaves are added to white strains to add more of the stimulating alkaloids that are naturally found in kratom veins.

In general, these different processes for kratom strains are the most common ways to make kratom strains. They can differ from vendor to vendor, but all that matters is that the alkaloids in the kratom strains fall into the correct ratios. For example, some kratom farmers or vendors may mix green and red to create a kratom strain with the alkaloids associated with gold kratom. There is no set standard for what gold/yellow kratom must contain: it’s often a mix that varies from vendor to vendor.

Many kratom vendors use lab tests as a way to create kratom strains with batches that maintain a consistent alkaloid profile for each type of kratom product.

Myth #2: Kratom Strains Are All the Same

As we’ve seen before in the kratom Reddit thread, many kratom enthusiasts are convinced that there are no differences between kratom strains; that it’s all clever marketing.

In truth, while there are many myths regarding kratom strain names, there scientific studies on kratom strains reveal differences in alkaloid profiles for each strain. So if you find that you prefer one kratom strain over the other, you’re not crazy. It doesn’t mean that the kratom leaves were harvested from different countries or at different ages, but they did undergo different drying processes that create a scientifically provable difference.

Unfortunately, some kratom vendors have turned the “there’s no such thing as kratom strains” into marketing (ironically). Instead of offering Green Maeng Da, White Vietnam, or Red Bali kratom for sale, they sell their kratom “strains” by batch number. It’s silly when you look at it; both batch number and strain name do the same thing—they indicate a kratom “recipe.” The thing is, kratom strains are easier to remember and learn about than a series of numbers.

That being said, some bad kratom vendors don’t take care to separate their kratom strains by alkaloid content. They might not conduct lab tests, so they have no idea what the alkaloid content of each strain is. To find the best kratom strains that are actually different, look for vendors that know exactly how much 7-hydroxymitragynine and other kratom alkaloids are in each strain.

Myth 3#: Kratom Strain Names Refer to the Country of Origin

Originally, kratom comes from various countries in Southeast Asia. Since there are many kratom strain names that feature the names of different countries where kratom grows, people have come to believe that the kratom strain takes its name from the country’s or region name.

Some examples of such strains include:

• Malay Kratom
• Borneo Kratom
• Bali Kratom
• Indo Kratom
• Vietnam Kratom 

Although it might make sense that these names indicate different origins of kratom strains, it’s not accurate. Most of the kratom in the US comes from Indonesia. Since kratom has been grown for millennia in traditional Southeast Asian medicine, the strain names may have once referred to the location of a kratom farm. Now, these names don’t have the same meaning.

Given this information, it might make a lot more sense why you see kratom strain names that don’t signify a country. Some examples are:

• Elephant Kratom
• Maeng da Kratom
• Horn Kratom

How are these strains named? Well, we can’t be totally sure. You’d probably have to ask the farmers in Southeast Asia if they know the meaning of these kratom strain names. If not, you may have to ask the kratom vendor who created them to label their kratom recipes.

Where to Buy Kratom?

Now that you’re familiar with the different strains of kratom, let’s discuss where to buy them from. Obviously, you’d want to buy from the best kratom vendors 2021, but that requires a little research.

First off, make sure you have an idea of what type of kratom strain you want to buy. Now, look for reputable online vendors that stock the strain of your preference. Try to steer clear of kratom vendors who use health claims or false kratom facts in their product descriptions. Look for a kratom vendor who lab-tests their kratom, is AKA certified, or has agreed to the Good Manufacturing Practices program to safely manufacture kratom.  As an added resource, you can read our kratom vendor reviews to check if a vendor is credible and trustworthy.

Moreover, if you prefer kratom capsules over kratom powder, check the vendor’s products list. Some sellers also offer same-day or free shipping. Consider all these things when choosing where to buy kratom to get the best quality and prices.

Once you’ve found your favorite seller, you can buy kratom wholesale kilo to satisfy your monthly needs.

Final Words

Hopefully, the kratom strains guide has helped you understand the differences between the various types of kratom strains. At the end of the day, the most important thing is to buy from a reliable seller, no matter which strain you’re purchasing. Every vendor has a responsibility to fight misinformation.

Here at Buy Kratom Bulk USA, we are going through the process of revising our kratom blog articles to improve their accuracy. We also source our kratom directly from farms in Indonesia from people we’ve talked to face-to-face. These are just one of the many ways we strive to be completely honest and transparent about our kratom for sale.