Gold kratom, sometimes referred to as yellow kratom, comes in a variety of strains and can be produced in a few different ways. But what exactly is this type of Mitragyna speciosa and which options are the best? We’re going to drill down into this topic to help you learn about the very best of the currently available gold kratom strains.
Unfortunately, there is no broad consensus on what gold kratom is—or even what it should be. Perhaps the simplest definition of gold kratom is kratom that has been harvested, dried, or blended in some way with the intention of strengthening or modifying its effects. The methods are varied, and the results are often mixed.
Unfortunately, many vendors count on their product slogans and the general reputation of gold kratom to convince their customers they’re getting a stronger form of kratom. Some unscrupulous manufacturers simply dye the color of their powder to make it look like a Gold Kratom. Others will even use super-bright product images for these dyed powders that almost make the kratom look like a neon sign.
These types of products rarely, if ever, live up to the hype of gold kratom strains. If you’re wondering which vendors you can and can’t trust, be sure to check out Golden Monk’s complete directory of vendor reviews including the best manufacturers for different types of kratom.
Gold and yellow kratom are essentially the same thing—a way of letting a customer know that the kratom doesn’t neatly fit into one of the major types of kratom veins. There are countless strains of kratom that have been cultivated over the generations, but only three true kratom veins. As a kratom tree grows, the leaves go through a maturation process in which the veins of the leaves turn from white to green to red.
White varieties are known for having a slightly higher mitragynine content and being particularly good at delivering kratom’s energy-boosting qualities. Green vein kratom has a more balanced alkaloid profile and happy-medium effects. Red vein varieties are known for having more of kratom’s secondary alkaloids and producing more relaxed, comforting effects.
That said, some manufacturers will harvest their kratom between the white and green stages to create a gold or yellowish hue to their powder—or, alternatively, at the very latest stages of leaf growth. Sometimes, this very late harvest creates a brownish-gold hue that manufacturers may label as “Red Gold kratom.” Finally, different kratom strains and veins can be mixed into a kratom blend with various hues that can also be described as gold or yellow kratom.
There’s certainly nothing “wrong” with this type of kratom—and specific products may hit some kind of sweet spot for a particular individual—but there’s nothing inherently stronger or unique about this kratom.
So, why don’t we sell this type of kratom? After all, we are golden, right? In one sense, we do sell gold kratom. Another common way that manufacturers create a gold kratom product is with an extended, fermented, or otherwise modified drying process.
Bentuangie kratom, also known as fermented kratom, is subjected to enzymes and/or microorganisms with the intention of enhancing the kratom’s alkaloid content and making a claim that the consumer receives a superior experience. From what we’ve seen, the most common opinion among consumers is that the effects are desirable—though not necessarily better than other forms of kratom—but the bitter taste and harsh flavor are even worse.
Just like other types of kratom, the actual result and product quality for gold kratom that’s been fermented can vary widely from one manufacturer to the next. Likewise, for the do-it-yourselfers out there, you can’t just stick a bunch of kratom leaves in a bag with yeast and expect to get a good result.
For what it’s worth, we here at Golden Monk think we’ve found the perfect drying process that creates a more mature alkaloid profile without making the product downright offensive to the senses. All kratom has a naturally pungent, earthy flavor, but a pleasant method for taking kratom is generally no harder than knowing how to make a good cup of tea.
If you’re looking for a good gold kratom strain—especially one with more relaxing effects—we recommend our Red Bentuangie kratom. This red vein blend uses only strains from premium kratom growers before being fermented into an enhanced kratom product. Perfect for users looking for that little something extra and don’t mind the altered aroma. Shop now >
Using the methods above, any kratom strain can be turned into a gold variety—or simply marketed that way. That said, there are a few strains that manufacturers prefer, mostly for the reputation that those strains have with customers. Here’s what to expect from different gold kratom strains available on the market today.
In the sense that Maeng Da is already known for being a stronger type of kratom, there’s very little that needs to be done to make this a gold kratom. For this reason, it’s probably more common for this gold kratom strain to be a blend of different Maeng Da veins, rather than a specialized drying process.
Bali kratom strains have a reputation for more soothing effects, like a vacationer soaking in the relaxing vibes of Bali’s beaches, rice terraces, and resort destinations. For this reason, Gold Bali kratom usually starts with harvesting leaves in their red vein stage and then applying an extended drying process.
Generally speaking, this strain honors the modern origins of kratom as a cultural phenomenon with Thai farmers in the 19th Century. These farmers realized some kratom trees were better than others for getting through a long day of manual labor. This is also when and where Maeng Da comes from. So a different way of making a strong but soothing kratom is to use an enhanced drying method with a standard Thai strain.
Kali kratom strains get their name from Kalimantan, an Indonesian province that dominates much of today’s commercial kratom production. While there may be some appeal in a strain developed in the same region where the kratom is actually grown, there is nothing specific or unique about its alkaloid content. More than just an extended drying process, we’ve heard some manufacturers like to put this kratom strain through two distinct drying and curing processes.
Differences between kratom strains are already subtle and essentially disappear altogether when concentrated into a kratom extract. These extracts can also be labeled as gold kratom simply as a way for the manufacturer to communicate that they think their extract is especially strong or unique in some way.
We encourage you to explore what’s out there in terms of gold kratom strains, especially if it turns out you don’t care for our Red Bentuangie. At the same time, we suggest being extra skeptical about a manufacturer’s claims about these products. Due to the nature of gold kratom, it’s even more important to do all due diligence before making a purchase. This includes making sure the manufacturer is AKA-approved and publishes their product’s lab tests through a Certificate of Analysis.
Not sure a gold kratom strain is right for you, after all? Continue your research into various types of kratom with our comprehensive guide to kratom strains.
