powder

What’s The Difference Between Kratom Powder & Kratom Extract?

by

Once Kratom is grown and harvested, the leaves go through a cycle to become the powder that most enthusiasts are familiar with. Kratom vendors process their products in multiple ways to create the unique and varied lineup available for sale today.

For example, it can be hard to see how Kratom powder and extract are not the same product types because they can both be powdered substances.

Here at Left Coast Kratom, we sell both Kratom powder and Kratom extract. Each of these products offers a unique experience to consumers, but not all customers are familiar with what the differences are.

Find out how both of these substances come to be and when you might prefer to try one over the other in today’s article.

Kratom: The Common Denominator

Kratom powder and Kratom extract share a common denominator: the Kratom plant itself!

Common kratom products all originate from the same type of tree. This evergreen tree, scientifically known as Mitragyna speciosa, grows in tropical regions of southeast Asia. People in Malaysia, Thailand, Borneo, and other places in the area have used Kratom for hundreds of years. These traditional practices have revived today, and Kratom has become a natural choice for many enthusiasts worldwide.

Powder vs. Extract: Where Things Diverge

Though Kratom powder and Kratom extract share the same roots, the two products have important differences and are taken in different situations. Where exactly do things diverge, and what makes this divergence so interesting?

Let’s learn more about each of these substances!

Kratom Powders

While Kratom powder is not the most basic form of the plant, it is very close. The most basic form belongs to Kratom leaves which are often used to brew tea. But, we’ll leave that for another blog post!

When Kratom is processed, the leaves are harvested and then dried. People then brew the leaves into a tea or grind them into a powder that can be mixed into drinks, taken in capsules, or brewed. This is the substance we know as Kratom powder.

Large kratom leaves easily grind down into a fine powder once thoroughly dried. When the plant is processed into Kratom powder, it contains a similar level of alkaloids to the plant itself.

Kratom Extracts

In a way, Kratom extract is a further extension of Kratom powder. Without whole leaves or powder, Kratom extracts would not exist.

Kratom extract is a higher-concentrate version of Kratom made through an extraction process. Compared to other Kratom products, extracts have the highest alkaloid concentration levels. As alkaloids are largely responsible for Kratom’s effects, extracts often have the most potent effects.

To create this high concentration product, plant matter is reduced so that the alkaloids in  the extraction are in a higher concentration than the Kratom leaf had in its original form.

There are different extraction methods with varying cost associations and degrees of success. The most common extraction methods rely on water, solvents, and evaporation, as this method is time- and cost-effective.

Banner For Shopping

Why People Choose One Or The Other

Concentration

The most significant difference between Kratom powder and extract is that extracts are more concentrated. This means there is a greater percentage of alkaloids in the same amount of powder. Alkaloids are the component most responsible for Kratom’s effects.

Kratom extracts are sometimes advertised with a ratio number, such as 2x, to show the level of concentration. You might also see extracts labeled with a percentage, such as 10% Mitragynine. Trying out different ratios or percentages until you find one that generates the desired effects is one way that enthusiasts explore what Kratom offers. 

Side Effects

Some Kratom users face frustrating side effects, such as nausea, when using standard powders alone. For these individuals, an extract might be the better choice. Ingesting less plant matter when taking Kratom extract can reduce side effects and improve efficiency for some people.

Change It Up

Trying extracts doesn’t always have to be about revolutionizing the way that you experience Kratom. Instead, it can simply be about changing up your routine! Extracts offer new blends and experiences that you haven’t had before. Check out different options to see what might work well with your body’s routine.

Remember Reliability

Whether you’re new to Kratom or experienced in this world, make sure that you continue to check that you are shopping from reliable brands!

It can be hard to tell the difference between Kratom powder and Kratom extract just by comparing the two. Buying from honest vendors that clearly label their products will make it easier (and safer!) to enjoy Kratom on your own terms.

The best way to be sure that you are doing this is to buy Kratom from vendors that are part of the American Kratom Associations GMP program. This program ensures that vendors properly test and label their products to prevent customer confusion.

Experience More With Our Top Sellers

Are you interested in finding the best Kratom powders or extracts?

Our catalog includes a variety of high-quality options. Whether you are looking for Kratom powders as a beginner’s start or Kratom extracts to change up how you experience Kratom, we have various great offerings.
Hopefully, you’ve learned something new about the world of Kratom today. Our goals include providing valuable and exciting information to our customers so that you can make more informed selections. Check out the rest of our resources to learn more!

How Are Kratom Extracts Made?

by

If you’ve browsed our line of kratom and kratom-based products here at Left Coast Kratom, you’ve probably noticed that we sell a lot of items that we call kratom extracts. In fact, these are some of the most popular things in our store.

For many browsing customers, however, they do not fully understand what kratom extracts are or how they compare to the other kratom leaves and powders that we sell. Even those that use extracts might not be able to clearly tell you what the differences are.

It’s your right to know more about extracts and where they come from, and we want to make finding that knowledge easier than it has ever been before. Today’s guide will make that dream a reality!

Banner For Shopping

What Are Kratom Extracts?

Kratom extracts are a specific type of kratom product in which a larger volume of kratom powder is concentrated. The final product, known as a kratom extract, is a higher-alkaloid serving of kratom. The final alkaloid concentration depends on which type of kratom was used for the original extraction and the method of extraction used.

Why Do People Use Kratom Extracts?

There are a lot of different reasons why some people choose to use kratom extracts rather than other types of kratom products.

For some, using kratom extracts means that they can use smaller servings. Smaller servings sizes are easier to take, travel with, store, and may even be more affordable depending on what type of extract they are going to be using. Overall, these people usually applaud the convenience of kratom extracts. 

On the other hand, some use kratom extracts when they want to change up their routine. Kratom lovers know that changing up your schedule regularly prevents any type of singe strain resistance. Additionally, kratom extracts can be mixed into your serving schedule on days when you need extra effects.

How Are Kratom Extracts Made?

As mentioned above, kratom extracts are made by taking a larger volume of kratom powder and then making it more concentrated. How exactly is it made to be more concentrated at a smaller volume?

Generally speaking, there are three main extraction methods that are used to create the final kratom extract that you might buy from a kratom vendor like us. Depending on which extraction method is used, the final product will have different potencies. Let’s take a closer look to see why.

Resin: The Most Expensive (And Rare)

The most expensive and rare way to extract kratom is to make a kratom resin extract. This technique is quite difficult as well as money intensive, so you don’t often see this product on the market. 

Resin is created through a process in which the kratom powder is steeped, frozen, evaporated, simmered, and evaporated again. This repetitive process is actually faster to create than most water-based extracts, but it can be difficult to get the process right.

Generally, the process could go something like this:

  1. 1. A small amount of water and lemon juice are added to kratom powder. Just enough to cover the powder is used, the product steeps for 12 hours, and then the mixture is frozen.
  2. 2. The frozen block of kratom is added to boiling water with more lemon juice. Once ¼ of the water has evaporated, it is removed from the heat, cooled, and strained.
  3. 3. Let the strained mixture evaporate until its volume reduces by half.
  4. 4. Simmer the powder with lemon juice one or two more times, repeating the same filtration process again.
  5. 5. The remaining liquid is placed into an oven-safe container and heated at 200 degrees Fahrenheit until nearly all remaining water is evaporated. The remaining kratom will be a thick kratom resin extract.

Water Extractions: Labor Intensive, But Effective

Another way that kratom extracts are made is through simple soaking and evaporation. After adding raw leaves to water and citric acid, the mixture can be shaken thoroughly. Then, allow it to steep for up to two weeks. After that time is up, the mixture should be strained and reduced by half through evaporation.

The final product will be a slightly thick liquid, and it can be stored in amber bottles for regular use as a tincture. Many manufacturers add glycerin to these liquids to help stabilize the acidity in them.

Kratom Extract Powders

Kratom extract powders are made using a similar extraction method to the resin method above. Essentially, a large amount of kratom powder is put through a boiling process with lemon juice and regular straining. Once the extraction has occurred as fully as possible, the liquid is put into a spray bottle.

The concentrated liquid is sprayed and allowed to crystallize. As the final water evaporates out of the crystallized patches, only kratom extract powder will be left behind.

Are These The Only Methods?

These are not the only ways that kratom extraction methods can be made, but methods that follow procedures similar to these have been the most effective in keeping a high ratio of alkaloid to powder in these concentrated substances.

Banner for shopping

How Does Enhanced Kratom Compare To Kratom Extracts?

When browsing kratom extracts, you may have seen something known as enhanced kratom up for sale as well. These extracts have higher amounts of alkaloids per gram. This higher potency is achieved in a number of different ways.

Storing Your Extracts

Some customers have asked us what the best way to store their extracts is. After all, you don’t want to risk any product degradation after spending more on a high-quality extract! 

The best storage method is going to depend on what type of extract it is:

  • • Liquid extracts: dark glass bottles stored away from the light; keep tightly sealed to prevent evaporation
  • • Powders: airtight container in dark cabinet, preferably in a cool part of the house 
  • • All extracts: away from light, strong smells, and hot spots in the house

5 Awesome Kratom Facts That Everyone Should Know

by

After you’ve discovered the positive results of kratom in your life, it’s time to uncover some more facts about what it is, how it’s used, and other important things that you should know about this botanical!

Kratom is more than just a plant that can be ingested, and it has a much longer history that you should be aware of when you decide to use it regularly. Today, we’ll help you expand your knowledge about this great substance.

Banner For Shopping

1: The Kratom Tree Is Unique

One of the coolest things about where kratom comes from is the tree itself. Kratom is a tropical tree, and it grows best when things are all wet, all the time. Kratom products are made from the leaves of the trees, and they are unique because of their distinct chemical composition.

The Kratom tree is one of seven different trees in the Mitragyna speciosa variety. The leaves of the kratom tree contain two major chemical compounds that have effects on the body: mitragynine and 7-hydroxymitragynine.

These chemicals are known as alkaloids. Alkaloids interact with the body in specific ways; when you consume kratom, those effects start happening!

2: Kratom Has A Long And Varied History

Did you know that Kratom has been used for hundreds of years in different parts of the world? In Southeast Asia in particular, kratom has been part of many cultural rituals and traditional practices. The tropical tree is native to Thailand and Malaysia among other countries, and that is how it became a part of their practices.

In particular, Kratom is often brewed as a tea. Sometimes, it is chewed on directly for a different type of effect.

While the use of Kratom in these regions is mostly historical, kratom is still used in those traditional ways. Around the world, however, kratom leaves tend to be ground into a fine powder and then brewed into a more concentrated, effective tea. As you might already know, there are a lot of different ways to brew tea.

3: Kratom Consumption Has Changed

While the ways that we just mentioned are the traditional ways of consuming kratom, there are a lot of different ways that people consume kratom in today’s modern world. As we mentioned, people typically grind the leaves up into a fine powder. This powder can then be prepared in a few different ways.

Method #1: Tea

While a bit different from traditional brewing, this fine powder can be made into a tea. The tea must be strained appropriately and flavored to make it drinkable, but it can provide the boosting effects of the chemicals in kratom.

Method #2: Capsules

Some people prefer to skip the need to taste the kratom at all and stick to capsules. Capsules of any size can be filled with your specific serving of kratom powder. These are easy and discreet to take, no matter where you are.

Method #3: Tinctures

The powder can also be made into a very strong tincture. This tincture can then be used mixed into other beverages or taken directly.

The particular method that you use to take kratom is going to depend on how much you want to take, what you are hoping to accomplish, and how your body processes things. Everybody’s body is different, so taking the time to try different amounts and intake methods is very important for personal discovery.

4: Kratom Has An Interesting Legal Status

Right now in the United States, Kratom is not illegal. However, it wouldn’t be accurate to call it legal either. It’s true that you wouldn’t get into trouble for using it, but the status of it is somewhat complicated.

Due to difficult reports and manufacturing problems, some believe that Kratom should be completely banned in the USA. The FDA, in fact, has been making a clear and concentrated effort to support this movement. Thankfully, many states are making their own judgments and passing regulatory protections for kratom consumers.

Why has this happened?

The main reason that kratom has not yet been put into a positive light as CBD has been that there isn’t enough research yet about the benefits of kratom. The research is so limited that it is difficult to prove once and for all that kratom is not dangerous. Without any regulation to keep bad kratom off the market, the problem isn’t improving quickly enough.

Hopefully, individual states will continue to support the movement to fully legalize kratom and to protect its consumers with basic regulations. These regulations, though simple, can save people’s lives by keeping bad kratom under control as soon as possible.

Banner For Shopping

5: Kratom Needs Your Help

Due to the complicated legal status of kratom in America, kratom needs your help! If you have ever been curious about trying kratom or already use it, it is time to step into the ring and help fight for the safety of kratom users everywhere.

While we do our best to ensure that every product that we put it out is the highest quality, not all vendors hold themselves to the same standards that we do. We’ve learned through the years, and we are doing our best to ensure that only the highest quality kratom makes it to the market.

To further our mission to keep kratom safe and legal, we’ve put our full support behind the American Kratom Association. Also known as AKA, this group works tirelessly to create guidelines for companies to follow while also working directly with politicians in each state to pass laws protecting the kratom community.

With swift and positive actions like these, we believe that kratom will one day be a safe and accepted substance. But that won’t happen without the support of people like you!

If you believe that more research should be done about kratom so that it can become a safer product, reach out to your local kratom stores or politicians and find out how you can make this opinion help. Together, we can secure the future of kratom!

Kratom: How To Store Your Powder To Keep Fresh

by

So you’ve found out that you love using Kratom. It helps make your day-to-day life better, and you’ve invested in a large stash of powder so that you can easily create your daily brew or capsules. In fact, you have a lot of different stains on hand because you like to change it up from week to week.

You have all of this Kratom at home, but do you have any idea if you are storing it correctly?

Like other botanicals, Kratom has specific conditions under which it should be stored for best results. Just like leaving milk on the counter can lead to spoiled milk, not finding the right storage method for Kratom can affect its taste and freshness.

Here’s what you need to know about Kratom storage solutions that you can use at home.

Why Does Storage Matter?

Before we get into the details of your Kratom storage, let’s talk about why you should make it a point to store things in an organized way.

The main reason is that Kratom can and will lose alkaloid content over time. If you have a lot of Kratom stains at home and leave some of them untouched for a long time, they will change in this way.

Further studies are needed to confirm how quickly this happens, but the active ingredient in Kratom, known as mitragynine, will turn into mitragynine pseudoindoxyl over time. Though it may sound similar, this alkaloid has significant differences from mitragynine, and this transformation would be apparent to you upon consumption.

Additionally, it’s just better to take good care of your Kratom! You are putting an investment into your wellbeing by buying Kratom. If you store it haphazardly, you might lose some powder, spill powder, or just generally not be able to find the strain that you are looking for on any given day.

Banner For Shopping

Top Things To Avoid

When you’re storing your Kratom, these are the main things that you want to avoid to ensure that the powder’s alkaloids are not affected:

  • • Humidity
  • • Oxygen
  • • UV light

Each of these things can and will break down the quality of your item. When you are thinking of storage solutions, you should be making sure that your product will be exposed to as little of these three things as possible.

Storage Solutions

Now that you know more about what the risks are of your powders losing freshness over time, let’s talk about what you can do to prevent that from happening.

Daily Use Kratom

When you are using a specific Kratom powder daily, you simply need to do the following:

  • • Keep in a cupboard.
  • • Keep it in a sealed bag – and make sure it is sealed.
  • • Keep using it daily!

If you are using this powder daily, you’ll likely consume it all before it can degrade in quality. Keeping it sealed and in a cupboard helps to protect it from UV light and oxygen, so your Kratom will be in the best shape for you to use.

Long Term Storage

If you are the type of Kratom consumer who has many different strains at home, or if you simply have a large stash of backup Kratom, you’ll want to ensure that you’re protecting this botanical investment. Kratom that isn’t used quickly can degrade in quality; you want to prevent that from happening.

We’ll walk you through a few tips on how to smartly store extra Kratom powder.

Divide It Up

Separate larger bags of Kratom into two- to four-day supplies. If you keep it in smaller bags, it will be easier to ensure the freshness of the Kratom, and it will also be easier to grab a small amount from your storage area when you need it.

You can even choose to divvy it up in different rotations or mixes. Take into account how you usually take your Kratom, and set up the small baggies to reflect your needs so that you aren’t struggling to restock your daily supply area when needed.

Airtight Bags

It’s important that you ensure that you get all of the air out of the bag. If you plan to have a large backstock of Kratom at all times, you may even want to invest in getting a vacuum sealer to ensure that there is absolutely no air in the bag.

If you aren’t ready to do that, you can simply squeeze as much of the air as possible out of the bag before you close it up.

The more airtight your storage method is, the better chance you have of the product retaining its quality for a long time.

Light-Blocking Containers

You’ll want to store these bags of Kratom in a container that blocks light. UV light is one of the most damaging things to Kratom powder’s quality, so you should ensure that you do not have an issue with this because of how you store your Kratom.

Put It In The Right Place

Find somewhere that is cool, dry and dark to put your Kratom container. There are some users that actually store their containers in the freezer! While we aren’t sure what the effects of freezing Kratom are just yet, we know that placing your container in a cool and dry environment is essential for ensuring the longevity of the powder.

Store as Tea

If you’re a tea user, you might be able to make a large batch of tea and then freeze it in a plastic container to be thawed for later use. Kratom tea only stays fresh in the refrigerator for up to one week, but freezing can extend how long you can use the tea. This can even save you a lot of weekly prep time if you prep once every month or two instead!

Banner For Shopping

Kratom Storage Matters

We hope that today’s article has helped you see just how important it is to store your Kratom properly. After all, having a quality Kratom can make a huge difference in how much you enjoy the product. We sell you the highest quality products, and we hope you’ve learned how to make sure they stay fresh!

Best Kratom Powder and Leaf: Strains From Left Coast Kratom

by

When you start shopping around for kratom power, you’ll know in seconds that there is a lot more to this botanical product than you might have originally realized!

While all kratom is known for its unique combination of alkaloids, mitragynine and 7-hydroxymitragynine, not every strain that we sell here at Left Coast Kratom has the same characteristics, uses, or look. Today, we’re going to untangle the confusion that is Kratom strains.

Our full inventory of Kratom powder and leaf products contains many different strains; here is a complete list of what we currently offer!

Banner For Shopping

Maeng Da Thai Kratom

Maeng Da Thai Kratom is one of the most popular choices, but most people don’t realize that is is a modified version of a less-popular kratom plant! The plant was first cultivated in Thailand and then Indonesia in an attempt to have a higher alkaloid content. The experiment was a success, and now Maeng Da Thai is one of the most sought after strains!

Here at Left Coast Kratom, we offer Maeng Da Thai Kratom in a few different forms:

These varieties are characterized by red veins on the leaves and are typically harvested from more mature trees. Regardless of which vein or product you end up with, it’s fun to check out the different consumption methods for Maeng Da Thai Kratom products. You can try brewing tea with the leaf or powder and adding honey or flavorings to enhance the taste!

OG Bali Kratom

Kratom from Bali is one of the most well-known and popular types of kratom. In fact, it might be the most in demand kratom strain of them all! Because Bali has been a leader in kratom production for so long, many companies focus on this strain as their primary target. It’s also a great strain for those who are new to kratom, making it a common first choice.

While the leaves on Bali kratom are generally darker than other strains, the veins can set apart three different types of Bali kratom: white, green, and red vein.

The two Bali products that we currently offer are the OG Bali Kratom Leaf and its counterpart, the OG Bali Kratom Powder.

Sumatra Kratom

Sumatra Kratom is a strain that has been around for thousands of years, but it has only started to grow in popularity in recent years.

Red Vein Sumatra Kratom powders like our Sumatra Kratom Powder (Red Vein) is one of our bestselling types kratom. Our powder contains an average of 1.3% mitragynine content and is from the islands of Indonesia.

White vein varieties like our Sumatra Kratom Powder (White Vein), on the other hand, are a great choice for those looking to switch up their typical kratom routine or try a new strain. Our powder contains an average of 1.4% mitragynine content.

Borneo Kratom

Borneo Kratom is probably one of the most prolific types of kratom. When searching for strain types, Borneo kratom shows up very frequently, and the information provided can be overwhelming as you are basically starting everything from scratch.

Left Coast Kratom currently carries these two Borneo products: Borneo Kratom Powder (Red Vein) and Borneo Kratom Powder (White Vein).

Thai Kratom

Thai Kratom powders, unsurprisingly, originate from trees that are native to Thailand. These leaves can be grown with different veins depending on the specific type of tree and where it is grown.

Here at Left Coast Kratom, we carry both red vein and green vein varieties of Thai kratom.

Our Thai Kratom Powder (Red Vein) is sourced from mature trees that have the red pinnate venation, leading to a reddish-tinted powder. The average mitragynine content is 1.3%. This blend has many fans among regular kratom consumers.

On the other hand, the Thai Kratom Powder (Green Vein) is sourced from trees that have veins that are green in the middle regions of the leaves. Still native to Thailand, this variety is usually harvested from younger trees.

Banner For Shopping

Other Kratom Strains

We have a number of other standalone strains that you may be interested in experimenting with as well.

Super Green Malaysian Kratom Powder is known to be one of the highest potency strains of Kratom on the market. Originating in Malaysia, our strain has an amazing average mitragynine content of 1.9%.

Kali Kratom Powder (Red Vein) is sometimes confused with Bali kratom powder, but this strain is from the Kalimantan region of Borneo. This balanced strain falls somewhere between the green and white veins.

If you are already getting overwhelmed by all the choices that we have available, you may be interested to try out some of our Kratom Powder Samples! These samples are just one gram, so you can invest in trying them out without a huge commitment. Find your new favorite with samples!

Next up, let’s talk about the Red Dragon Kratom Powder. This relatively new strain is native to Thailand, and we have a very reliable supply source. Fans of Thai kratom and Red Maeng Da should give this one a try!

Finally, our last strain on today’s guide is the Super Indo Kratom Powder. This strain from Indonesia is made from large leaves with high alkaloid content, so you can expect super high potency. Its balanced alkaloid profile indicates a well-rounded experience.

Which Kratom Strain Is Right For Me?

Now that you’ve been introduced to all of the strains that we have available here at Left Coast Kratom, you may be left wondering what strains are the best for you. Ultimately, it will depend some careful experimentation to find which veins and strains you prefer.

If you cannot narrow down your choice to one or two varieties to try for right now, we recommend using our Kratom Samples package to try out those that sound like they might be right for you. In time, you’ll discover your favorite kratom strains!