If you’ve shopped for kratom, you’ve probably seen a lot of funny-sounding product names. Names like “Green Maeng Da” or “Indo White” actually have specific meaning in the kratom industry. They may refer to the product’s origins, the harvesting and processing methods used, or the color of the original kratom plant.
Color is one of the most defining features of a kratom strain. If you’ve ever been curious about what kratom colors actually mean, read on. At Mitra Bros, we’ve put together a useful primer on how different kratom colors come about, what they say about the plant, and how different kratom colors affect people.
What Do Kratom Colors Mean?
Kratom is a tropical tree native to countries in Southeast Asia, including Thailand, Indonesia, and Myanmar. Kratom products are made by harvesting the leaves of the kratom tree. The leaves can be chewed raw or brewed into tea, although most kratom products in the United States are made by drying, crushing, and processing the kratom leaves into powders, extracts, and capsules.
When you see a color on the label of a kratom product, such as “Green Vein Kratom,” the color refers to the veins of the original leaves from which the product was made. The color of the veins in the leaves is an indicator of the alkaloid profile of the kratom plant at the time it’s harvested.
Alkaloids are the primary active chemical compounds that give kratom its effects on people– heightened concentration, increased comfort, feeling more grounded, etc. Different color veins can emphasize different effects, allowing kratom enthusiasts to pick the strain that best suits their mood and their needs.
The main kratom vein colors are green, red, white, and yellow. Not all of the colors are actually naturally occurring. Certain strains are made by blending different strains or utilizing special processing techniques.
The color of the kratom strain is actually determined in large part by the age of the leaves when harvested. Younger plants and older plants have different color leaves and are used to produce different kratom strains. It’s similar to how green and black olives come from the same plant, but black olives are left on the tree for a longer period of time in order to mature further. The same goes for red, green, yellow, and orange peppers. They reflect different points of ripeness.
White Vein Kratom
White vein kratom comes from kratom leaves harvested early in the plant’s life cycle. The younger leaves emphasize kratom’s motivation-enhancing effects. Many kratom enthusiasts take white vein kratom in order to get an extra boost before a long workday or an intense exercise session.
Red Vein Kratom
Red vein kratom is at the other end of the spectrum. Kratom leaves turn red when they are much more mature. As compared to other strains of kratom, red vein highlights kratom’s more soothing, grounding properties.
Kratom still acts as a focus booster at low doses, so even red vein kratom may help with concentration and vitality. For people who get jittery from caffeine and other stimulants, however, red veins may be the perfect balance. At higher doses, kratom is more likely to help you unwind, so it’s important to do your research, experiment carefully, and listen to your body.
Green Vein Kratom
Green vein kratom comes from plants harvested at the middle of their life cycle. Many kratom lovers find that green vein is the “Goldilocks” color, offering a nice balance of the overall kratom experience.
Green is also popular among people who are newer on their kratom journey, as the experience does not lean too far in one direction or the other. Many people say that green vein kratom helps enhance their mental clarity.
Yellow Kratom
Yellow kratom is an interesting strain because kratom leaves do not actually turn yellow on the tree. Instead, yellow is a hybrid strain made through specialized harvesting techniques, drying methods, and production processes. Yellow refers to the color of the final powder rather than the color of the leaf veins, like the other strains. Some companies offer a “gold” kratom, which is yellow by another name (and, depending upon the product, may refer to a “premium” strain).
Yellow kratom enthusiasts say they enjoy a more positive mindset while taking yellow and that there’s a pleasant soothing effect that can be more balanced than other strains. Some people say the effects of yellow kratom last longer than other strains as well.
Which Kratom Color is Right for Me?
So, if you’re trying to plan your ideal kratom journey, which color should you get? The answer: it depends. Different strains can highlight different parts of the kratom experience. White vein can be more motivating, red vein can be more mellow, while green and yellow are somewhere in the middle.
Moreover, kratom may hit differently for different people. Your body composition, your level of familiarity with kratom, the size of your dose, and even what you ate that day can affect your experience. Read reviews of different products to see what other users have said, decide what you want from your kratom, and experiment!
We always advocate for people to do their research, listen to their bodies, and consult with their trusted healthcare professionals where appropriate. When using kratom, especially if it’s a strain you haven’t tried before, always start with the smallest possible dose and go slowly.
Finding the right kratom strain is all part of your kratom adventure. Take your time, feel it out, and find what works for you. Most importantly, get your kratom from a source you can trust.
Find Your Perfect Kratom Strain With the Mitra Bros
Whether you’re looking to wind down after a long day or you need that extra boost to get through a workout, Mitra Bros has you covered. Head over to our online shop to browse our selection of kratom products. We’ve got a wide range of kratom strains and we’d love to help you find the perfect option to kick your kratom journey off right. Feel free to contact us with any questions.
