Speciosa Specialists, AKA SS Kratom, is an East Coast kratom vendor with a diverse collection of kratom products and a flair for the exotic. You can visit its online store at https://speciosa.com/. There you will find its full line of kratom powders and kratom extracts.
Where other vendors waste your time with an elaborate sales pitch and a lot of false promises, Speciosa Specialists takes things back to basics, with a simple collection of superfine kratom powders and robust ethnobotanicals. Find out all about SS Kratom’s pros and cons in our Speciosa Specialists Review.
Located in Chicago, IL, Speciosa Specialists is one of the oldest kratom vendors in the industry. The brand was founded in 2006 by independent artisans with a genuine passion for ethnobotanicals. Today, Speciosa Specialists stands as one of the most straightforward brands on the market.
Speciosa Specialists sets itself apart from other kratom brands by delivering honest, succinct information about its sourcing practices and uncompromising quality standards. As its homepage clearly states, “We buy our botanicals from the best sources, not necessarily the largest ones.”
The result is a line of products that have captured the enthusiasm of the kratom community, generating near-unprecedented attention at online kratom forums. Speciosa Specialists’ pricing has always been another draw, with a plethora of sublime extracts and small-batch kratom teas at fair prices.
Known primarily for its Speciosa Specialists FST (Full Spectrum Tincture) this brand is as skilled at producing premium akuamma extract as it is at manufacturing enhanced kratom teas. Its unequaled product line includes ISOL-8, Oxindole-Enhanced Bali Kratom, Sceletium-Catuaba Extract, and UEI.
Packaging is one area in which Speciosa Specialists leave something to be desired. Each pouch of its kratom powder comes in a thin, less-than-sturdy beige pouch, with oft-faulty resealable seals and insufficient labeling. This last part is worth noting in light of recent efforts to improve labeling.
One would think sixteen years would give a brand time to perfect things, but odds are good that Speciosa Specialists stuck to its original design out of allegiance to those who appreciate austerity. Some customers simply dig simplicity. It doesn’t get much simpler than a plain brown wrapper.
You can choose between multiple carriers, including FedEx and USPS (United States Postal Service). Shipping speed is also your call, as you can opt for Standard USPS Shipping, FedEx 2 Day, FedEx Overnight, and Priority Mail Overnight, among others. Packages are mailed discreetly and securely.
Speciosa Specialists has earned its name by providing well-documented quality at prices reasonable when compared to the current marketplace. The best part is, Speciosa Specialists doesn’t give its patrons unrealistic expectations. Promises of unparalleled potency are nowhere to be found.
This vendor carries a host of green vein, red vein, and white vein kratom strains, including Maeng Da Kratom, Red Borneo, Red Indo, Red Thai, Red Vietnam, and Superfine Bali, Super Green Malay, Super Indo, and White Sumatra.
The overall design of speciosa.com is less than stellar and a strong argument can be made that its overly simplistic design owes more to laziness than a commitment to minimalism. That being said, functionality is a B+ for this one, as it works efficiently despite its lack of features.
This vendor would do well to beef up its e-commerce site in the future, particularly by adding a FAQ page, lab results page, and consumer incentives. As it stands, Speciosa Specialists does not provide a loyalty rewards program, kratom military discounts, or a satisfaction guarantee.
Prices start as low as $10 for fifty grams of kratom powder, with one hundred grams going for $18-21.00. Enhanced kratom powders start at $19.00. These prices compare favorably to those charged by most industry professionals. For example, Zen Life Naturals offers fifty grams for $14.95, while Emerald Kratom charges $19.99 for the same.
One hundred grams for $18 is similarly low, as many top vendors charge anywhere from $30-50 for this amount of powder. For the sake of comparison, Earth Kratom charges $34.99, while Choice Botanicals sells for $44.99.
Speciosa Specialists currently accept Bitcoin, COD (Cash On Delivery), and wire transfers. Additional payment options may be available upon request. You can inquire about alternative payment methods by emailing root@speciosa.com or by calling (312) 948-8820.
This vendor does not offer an email newsletter or rewards program, nor does it advertise kratom promo codes on social media. If we didn’t know better, we would swear SS Kratom was a smoke shop brand. It isn’t and its website proves that…even though it lacks the bells and whistles of competitors.
As we mentioned earlier, Speciosa Specialists has been the subject of countless forum posts. It has been an especially hot topic on Reddit, where community members have discussed its exceptional UEI Kratom, the merits of its enhanced kratom teas, and its limited edition kratom kilos.
Another Reddit member said, “My first order ever was from them in like 2010. Coursely crushed Bali, was so fresh and tasty. That was when they used to send those awesome free twist pens and used those chrome stickers to seal the package inside.
“It was so annoying when they ran out of reg. leaf cause I didn’t know many vendors back then and would end up buying the extracts. And the extracts from SS were no joke!”
For every four kratom extract fans, there is at least one hater. In Speciosa Specialists’ case, that ratio may be backward. One Reddit member called it, “Yes another vendor with outrageous prices.” Another said, “Yeah, the plain leaf is pricey, but I think the extracts are worth it.”
Elsewhere, a member said, “Haven’t purchased again. I bought like 15-20 kilos during their ban sale. But those are mostly gone except a little Maeng Da and a little Super Indo. In my opinion, their pre-2013 Bali was some of the best I have ever had.
This same member goes on to say, “when they got back in the plain leaf business it was first or second best Bali at the time…But neither is as good as that old stuff, man.”
One particularly cynical skeptic accused Speciosa Specialists of fishing for fools, writing, “There are literally MILLIONS of fools, with money, who are curious about kratom…Sure, they’re happy to take your Bitcoin. Or…COD – Cash on delivery. BTC or Cash… absolutely NO Refunds. That’s clearly spelled out. Good Luck!”
Speciosa Specialists do not make any claims about third-party laboratory testing or, indeed, any form of testing. There are no certificates of analysis on its website, nor is there any information regarding the in-house assessment. As a matter of fact, there is no real promise of purity either.
Speciosa Specialists’ product descriptions are typically one to two short sentences in length. Nowhere in those descriptions do we find any reference to purity, potency, or nature. It seems that more primacy is placed on uniqueness and self-proclaimed superiority than the organic or all-natural.
Yes. Although it does not disclose third-party labs on its site, Speciosa Specialists has demonstrated legitimate business practices. Customers have been (mostly) satisfied with its behavior and performance.
Whereas many online vendors fail to register themselves as a business or renew such registration, Speciosa Specialists has been careful to update copyright information as the years have gone by. What’s more, its policies page has been revised to account for changes in shipping and payment methods.
This vendor does not participate in the AKA’s GMP (Good Manufacturing Practices) Standards Program. While this is unfortunate it isn’t evidence of any wrongdoing or neglect. Many vendors opt out of the GMP program, preferring to keep their laboratory analysis in-house.
Those who participate in the GMP Standards Program do so to assure customers and the industry of their legitimacy. Participants are expected to submit to a third-party audit while adhering to the initiative’s requirements, which extend from manufacturing and labeling to marketing and sales.
In summary, Speciosa Specialists is a long-standing kratom brand with a mostly solid track record. Despite its glaring failures, this vendor’s longevity is proof of its unyielding quality and enduring value. Not convinced? Check out our Complete List of the Best Kratom Vendors to find awesome alternatives.
