What Are The Different Kratom Strains?

With Kratom, you have two major decisions to make when you buy – the color, and the strain. While all Kratom comes from the plant Mitragyna speciosa, trees grown in different regions have evolved with different genetic profiles. This has resulted in different alkaloid profiles and different reported effects for the many strains of Kratom available. (Reminder: Naturally occurring alkaloids are the active ingredients in Kratom.)

What Are Different Kratom Strains?

Kratom strains are NOT different species of the plant. In fact, all Kratom strains share the same genetic material and belong to the same species of plant known as Mitragyna speciosa. What differentiates Kratom strains is the region where it originated, the cultivation methods used, the harvesting process, and environmental factors, just to name a few. All of these different variables end up providing each Kratom strain with a unique Alkaloid profile.

One way to look at this is by studying tomatoes. There’s only one tomato species out there, but there are hundreds of tomato varieties available around the world. Although they are genetically the same plants, a variety of factors have caused different genetic material to be active in the plant.

When different genetic material is active, you find different characteristics exhibited by the same plant. As people get increasingly picky about what traits they enjoy in their Kratom, these small differences begin to matter and that’s where we get the many different strains of Kratom.

Other Kratom Strains and Names

Besides the color and origin, Kratom products often carry two other descriptive names – Maeng Da and Horned.

“Maeng Da” loosely translates to “pimp grade” in Thai, which is used in reference to high-grade Kratom. Maeng Da Kratom is usually obtained by grafting multiple strains of Kratom to obtain the most powerful and desirable effects from the parent plants.

In contrast, “Horned” merely describes the shape of the leaves. A rare mutation gives some Kratom plants horned leaves. This distinction allows Kratom consumers to identify and use horned Kratom if they’ve enjoyed that particular strain in the past.

You may see other names related to Kratom, in addition to color and region. These are often taken up by individual vendors to label specific blends and small batches or to attract new consumers.

Common Kratom Strains

Now that you are familiar with how Kratom strains get their names, let’s take a closer look at a few of the most popular strains out there.

• Bali Kratom

Bali, also known as the OG, is by far the most popular Kratom strain in the United States. It originates in Bali, an island in Indonesia. You can find Bali in every formulation, including red, green, white, and yellow vein varieties.

• Maeng Da Thai

As the name indicates, Maeng Da Thai traces its origins to Thailand. However, its immense popularity has galvanized farmers in Indonesia and Malaysia to take up its cultivation. Traditionally, Maeng Da Thai is available in red, white, and yellow veins only.

• Super Green Malaysian

Super Green Malaysian Kratom, commonly known as Super Green Malay, is a unique version of the conventional Green Malay. Green vein strains are the least processed Kratom and are little more than just dried leaf or powder.

• Super Indo

Indonesia is home to multiple Kratom strains and Super Indo is one of the most popular. It beats out most other Kratom strains in terms of raw alkaloid content.

• Red Dragon

Red Dragon is one of the newest Kratom strains and an interesting find. It has a higher alkaloid profile than that of many other Thai strains, and yet, in some cases, it’s less expensive.

• Borneo Kratom

Borneo Kratom is one of the oldest, most popular, and widely available strains on the market. Originating in Borneo, an island divided among three countries (Indonesia, Malaysia and Brunei), Borneo Kratom is relatively well-balanced. It’s available in red, white, and yellow vein varieties.

• Kali Kratom

Kali is grown in Kalimantan, a region of Indonesia known for its lush rainforests. This unique strain is typically only available in red vein varieties.

With so many choices, it may be hard to know where to start. The best choice is to just pick one that sounds promising and dive in. If you don’t find what you’re looking for, you can always try a different strain. The good news is that with so many options and varieties available, anyone with an adventurous spirit can find a Kratom product that’s right for them.

Acadia Canna & Kratom aims to offer the best quality, most thoroughly tested Kratom products on the market, from powders and extracts to capsules and tablets.