In the Netherlands kratom feels like a fairly new product, but the tree behind it has stood in the humid forests of Southeast Asia for centuries. Once you understand where it comes from, you also get a better sense of why one bag feels different from another. This piece is not about the basics of what kratom is, you can read that in what is kratom, but about the journey from tree to cupboard.
Where kratom grows
Kratom is the tree Mitragyna speciosa, native to countries like Thailand, Malaysia and above all Indonesia, with Borneo as a well known area. It is a warm, humid climate where the tree can grow quite large. The soil, the rain and the moment of harvest all help shape what ends up in the leaf. That is not marketing, that is simply agriculture.
Traditional use
In the region, workers have long chewed fresh leaves or brewed them into tea, for instance during long days of work. It was embedded in a local context of customs and habits, not in the recreational or experimental setting we know in Europe. You can find neutral historical and legal background on the plant at the EU Drugs Agency. That context helps in approaching kratom with a bit of level-headedness.
From leaf to powder
The leaves are harvested, dried and ground into the fine powder you eventually bring home. How it was dried, in the sun or indoors for example, influences the colour and the character. If you want to know how best to store and prepare it at home, preparing and storing kratom will help.
Why origin and type go together
The names you come across, such as Maeng Da, and the colours red, green and white, refer to the type of leaf and the way it was dried, not to a brand. That explains why two bags of kratom can differ quite a bit. In kratom types we explain those colours. Want to experience it yourself? The versatile Green Maeng Da is a logical first introduction.
Quality and what to look for
Because origin and processing make such a difference, the reliability of your source matters. What to look for when buying is covered in buying kratom, what to look for. Fresh, well stored and from a seller who is honest about origin, that is what you are after.
Looking further afield
If you want to compare what is on offer, alongside our kratom category you can also take a look at a large European smartshop like Zamnesia. We deliberately keep our range small and clear, and would rather explain well what we sell than put up an endless list.
This article is informational and not medical advice.