Kratom has been used for centuries across Southeast Asia, but its emergence in the United States is relatively recent. Though it is legal in most states, federal and state regulators have struggled to keep up with the popularity of kratom use. There are currently few regulations for the production and distribution of kratom products. 

Kratom advocates and many state legislators are working on Kratom Consumer Protection Act bills to better regulate the kratom industry. In the meantime, the burden of identifying pure kratom falls on the consumer. 

If this seems overwhelming, don’t worry! We’ve put together a quick guide to help you identify high-quality, pure kratom that you can trust. 

Factors Affecting Kratom Quality

The best advice we can give when it comes to determining the quality of kratom is to do your research! Take note of the following indicators of premium kratom when making your next kratom purchase.

Source

Kratom, or Mitragyna speciosa, is cultivated across Southeast Asia. The country or region where it is grown can influence the quality of the kratom. Differences in sunlight exposure, humidity, soil, and water quality can affect the kratom plant and its alkaloids. Researching the origins and growing conditions of kratom can help determine its quality level.

Farming and Harvesting

Farming and harvesting practices will dictate the type of strain (red, green, white), potency, and general quality of the final product. Kratom trees must be maintained, pruned, and harvested at just the right time to achieve the best results. 

Processing and Preparation

Most U.S. consumers do not consume raw kratom leaves. Instead, they use kratom powder, capsules, teas, gummies and other products. To make these unique products, kratom leaves must go through certain processes, including drying, fermenting, grinding into powder, and other industrial manufacturing techniques. Quality kratom will be processed while the leaves are fresh in clean environments free of contaminants and bacteria. 

Third-Party Lab Testing

One of the best indicators for pure, quality kratom is transparent third-party lab testing. All kratom products should be tested for potency, heavy metals, microbials, pesticides, and other foreign matter. The packaging should include batch numbers and testing dates. 

Storage and Transit

Since most kratom is not grown in the U.S., these products will have a long journey before they arrive at your doorstep. It is imperative that kratom vendors prioritize safe storage and efficient transit to maintain the freshness of their products. 

Vendor Reputation

Vendors should be transparent about where they sourced their kratom, the farming, harvesting and processing of the kratom leaves, and the storage and transit of the final product. Vendors should also provide information on lab testing, as previously mentioned. 

Further, kratom should be labeled with strain type and dosage recommendations. Be sure to check out vendor reviews and their return policies as well. If you need help finding the information listed above on the vendor’s website, reach out to them for clarification. 

To assist in your search for quality kratom vendors, the American Kratom Association has a Good Manufacturing Practice Standards Program. This program maintains guidelines for kratom vendors to ensure the safety, identity, purity, and quality of their products. Kratom vendors that qualify for the program are considered “AKA Qualified Vendors” and are listed on the AKA’s website.

Use Your Senses

So, how can you tell if the kratom you received is authentic kratom? The best way to determine kratom quality is to use your senses!

  • Sight: Kratom powder should be vibrant green in color. Its texture should look clean and smooth. Steer clear of discoloration or inconsistency in color as well as coarse or rough texture. Depending on the strain, the color of the kratom may vary, but it will typically be some shade of green or greenish yellow. 
  • Smell: Kratom has a distinct earthy aroma, so be wary of moldy, musty, or other unpleasant odors. 
  • Taste: If you’ve used kratom before, you know that it has a bitter, acquired taste. It is made of plant matter, after all! But if your kratom product tastes rancid or has no taste at all, it’s safe to assume it has lost its freshness and potency. 

Other Tips for Purchasing Quality Kratom

Price

Compare kratom prices across vendors to understand the average price of different kratom products like powder, capsules, and kratom extract. If it seems too good to be true, it probably is.

Start Small

When purchasing kratom from a new vendor or one you’ve never tried before, it’s best to buy the smallest quantity available. You don’t want to waste a ton of money on a large quantity if you’re not sure of the quality or if you’ll like it or not!

Compare Vendors and Strains

To find the right fit, we suggest trying different strains and products from different vendors. Not all kratom is the same, and not all vendors sell the same strains or products. 

Listen to Your Body

Sometimes, you won’t know the quality of your kratom until you consume it. Kratom should produce the desired effects, even with small doses. If you notice that you aren’t experiencing the effects listed by the vendor when taking the suggested dosage, it might be a sign of lower-quality kratom. 

Additionally, experiencing adverse effects, or effects that do not align with what you would expect from that particular strain, can also be an indicator of lower quality, impure kratom.

Don’t Be Afraid to Ask

If you can’t find any information regarding the source, manufacturing processes, lab testing, or anything else listed here, don’t be afraid to ask the kratom vendor directly. Reputable kratom vendors will be happy to provide whatever information you need to feel secure about your purchase. 

Kratom Red Flags

  • Lack of transparency
  • Misleading marketing claims (including health claims)
  • No satisfaction guarantee
  • No contact information
  • Bad reviews
  • Recalls
  • Lawsuits

Kratom Store Has You Covered

If you have any questions about the Kratom Store’s products, feel free to reach out to us! For pure, potent kratom that’s high quality and lab-tested to guarantee freshness, shop now.