The Mitragyna speciosa tree thrives in the mercurial conditions of Southeast Asia’s tropical rainforests. It weathers torrential downpours, acrid dry spells, and treacherous flooding in its native climate.
The resilient shrub takes one to two years to reach optimal maturity and as much as 10 years to reach maximum height. Despite kratom’s patience and perseverance, patrons wonder, Does kratom go bad?
If you’re one of the many consumers worried about the kratom shelf life, we can assure you that it takes longer to expire than you might think. Today’s post will walk you through the deterioration of kratom plant matter over time and what you can do to prevent its decay.
Fresh kratom is essential to a positive experience, whether sensational, emotional or otherwise. This ancient herb’s purported wonders are dependent upon that herb’s crispness. There is a reason why native farmers pluck kratom leaves directly from live kratom trees. This act ensures peak potency.
While kratom’s aroma can diminish over time, its expiration date could be more precise. Many online vendors include expiration dates on their labeling. These dates are not technically expiration dates. Instead, they are sell-by dates that closely estimate the date on which a specimen will no longer be viable.
Without direct knowledge of a tree’s harvesting date and an advanced understanding of kratom science, it would be impossible for a kratom processor to predict kratom shelf life. On the contrary, vendors tend to arbitrarily include expiration dates that fall approximately one year from your date of purchase.
As Thor has said, “The only thing that is permanent in life is impermanence.” Leaves will wither and plants will die. But from the cuttings of these dying trees other plants will blossom. Such is the nature of the kratom life cycle.
Many mitigating factors contribute to the degradation of crushed leaf and/or micronized kratom powder. Protracted exposure to gases, such as oxygen, can lead to mitragynine’s regression into a lesser chemical substance. Mitragynine is kratom’s most vital alkaloid.
One must learn how to appropriately house kratom plant matter to ward off such deterioration. This is true of small-batch kratom, just as it is true of those who wish to stockpile bulk kratom.
We’ve all been there. A package arrives from an online vendor, and we nearly prick our fingers in our haste to unwrap the box. But as soon as that unboxing is complete, it becomes clear that something is amiss.
The pale, “off” color of the kratom powder contrasts the striking design and vibrant colors of the brand’s packaging. This is a good sign that your kratom had gone bad before you even had a chance to enjoy it.
The good news is kratom will usually arrive fresh or close to mint. The better information is you will generally have a significant window of time before your kratom is no longer viable.
If you’re curious about how long your kratom will last, there are some fundamental considerations you must bear in mind. They include strains, strain origins, kratom preparation, storage, preservation, and brand reputation.
To ensure your kratom is up to scratch, you’ll want to choose a kratom strain known for its rigor. We recommend shopping around for a kratom strain grown via the grafting process. This growth method requires two disparate plants to be developed in concert to produce one sturdier cultivar.
Preparation is another crucial factor that may determine kratom shelf life. For example, are you purchasing raw crushed leaf or kratom extract? Although intended to be superior in strength, extracts can compromise the natural alkaloid profile, which may take away from the overall aroma of the plant.
Kratom’s longevity depends mainly on how a vendor stores it and, by extension, how you store it when it arrives. Dried kratom favors a cool, dry place. So, keep your stash away from humidity, sun, and environmental toxins that could impact its endurance.
We recommend buying your kratom from a prestige vendor to guarantee a fresh, lasting, and satisfactory shopping experience. Some of the most reputable vendors participate in the AKA’s GMP (Good Manufacturing Practices) Standards Program. These suppliers are devoted to consumer safety.
Aside from adulterated kratom, which may be contaminated or affected by undesirable additives, traditional kratom will not do any harm once it’s turned. Once the recommended use-by date has passed, your kratom may become dryer, clumpier, and milder, but it will not spoil like fruit.
On the other hand, expired kratom may fail to meet your needs. It is unlikely to instill any soothing properties, and its aroma may dissipate much sooner than its typical four to six-hour duration.
The most significant risk posed by kratom expiration is the potential for bacterial development. This is especially true if your kratom specimen is improperly stored. Those living in more humid conditions should keep their stash in the coolest room of their house, lest they end up with powder that’s rife with mold.
It’s an invisible killer that claims billions of lives and half a trillion dollars in damage costs per year. Mold is one of the most common contaminants in poorly managed kratom bundles. It cannot be killed via UV exposure, nor can you remove mold from the top of a bag of kratom. Translucent nanosized spores are still detrimental.
If you’ve got an order of kratom powder on the way, we recommend planning accordingly. Once your package arrives, you’ll want to check your packaging’s integrity. Make sure there are no pinpricks in your kratom pouches and confirm that each pouch’s top is fully sealed.
Once you have confirmed that your kratom is secure, store it in a cool, dry place. A dark room is an excellent option. However, a closet, basement, or attic can be very effective if you keep an eye on the temperature. Ideally, kratom should not be stored at a temp above 60°F.
Although dried kratom responds well to lower temperatures and darker environs, it is imperative that you avoid refrigerating or freezing your stash. Such conditions serve as a breeding ground for moisture, which can lead to the development of mold and other spores.
Avoid UV light; it can threaten the integrity of kratom’s alkaloid content. Don’t believe the industry hype about kratom pasteurization. UV light may kill bacteria on a specimen’s surface, but it cannot penetrate a kilo bag.
Rather than treating your kratom for bacteria, prolonged UV exposure will act like a tanning bed cranked up to 10. Light can cause mitragynine, 7-OH (7-hydroxymitragynine), and other alkaloids to break down. Many farmers opt for fermentation or indoor drying to sun-drying kratom leaves.
For maximum security and preservation, we recommend keeping your stash in an impermeable container, such as a BPA-free kitchen organizer or an airtight UV-protected glass jar. The latter typically comes with a humidity pack for ultimate crispness.
Whatever you do, never mix and match your new kratom with old kratom. Your leftovers are more likely to be contaminated than a fresh pouch of unopened kratom. Adding your new kratom to these leftovers, you may taint the entire stash.
The finest examples of fresh kratom products come from lab-tested, industry-approved companies with loyal customers and verifiable reviews. The following are our staff picks for the top three vendors of the moment.
This Hollywood, FL, kratom vendor may sound like another braggadocious pusher of bunk kratom, but it turns out its products are quite impressive. This wholesale brand stocks a massive collection of strains and blends while offering industry-low prices on kratom kilos. You’ll get 1,000 grams for under $100.00.
MIT45 is the new gold standard on the headshop scene. This GMP-compliant creator of innovative kratom extracts deserves all the flowers for its fresh Raw Leaf and groundbreaking MIT GO Black Extra Strength Kratom Gel. With multiple servings for as little as $11.95, it outstrips any other smoke shop item.
New Dawn is at the forefront of the kratom zeitgeist with its great horned leaf kratom strains and exceptional prices. This GMP-certified Colorado kratom supplier specializes in bulk kratom, offering killer deals on two and four-way split kilos. Those who purchase $39.99 or more receive free delivery.
Follow the steps above, and your kratom should stay fresh and clean. When in doubt, consider sacrificing the old stash for a new kratom sampler. It never hurts to abide by the time-honored expression, “Out with the old and in with the new.”
No matter what route you take, you should always insist on high quality and verifiable purity. We recommend familiarizing yourself with the names on the AKA’s list of GMP participants. We also suggest comparing brands with our Complete List of the Best Kratom Vendors.
