How to store kratom to keep it fresh for as long as possible?
Does kratom have an “use by” date? Can it lose its properties over time? Is there any way to keep it fresh longer? You will find answers to these and many other questions in this article!
It is likely that some users experienced that their kratom no longer had its classic aroma and, for example, did not even feel its full effects. If you have forgotten about the product, it is quite possible that after about three months, the kratom will start to lose its effectiveness due to external influences. How can we delay this process and how to properly store kratom?
Let's take a closer look at the expiration date of kratom!
How long does kratom stay fresh?
Crushed tree leaves Mitragyna speciosa has been immensely popular all over the world in recent years. In its birthplace of far Southeast Asia, it has been a popular substance for decades and is used by the natives for most everyday problems. The alkaloids in kratom can have a stimulating or, conversely, sedative effect on the body, it depends on the dose and type of kratom administered.
More than forty alkaloids have already been discovered in kratom, let's mention, for example, mitragynine or 7-hydroxymitragynine, which represent the largest part of the entire spectrum. The highest concentration of these alkaloids is found in the leaves during their harvest, when they are still absorbing nutrients from the tree and energy from sunlight. However, after collection from the tree, the content of individual alkaloids begins to decrease and its effectiveness decreases.
Kratom is most potent during the first 3 months after harvest. Degradation begins after approximately 12 weeks, but only if it is affected by adverse external influences. With proper storage, we can delay this process for up to one full year!
Different forms of kratom
No less important are the methods of processing Mitragyna speciosa leaves as such. For unprocessed leaves, we can expect an expiration after approximately 1-3 months. The powder is sealed in airtight bags, which significantly extends its life. You will probably feel its highest effects within 3-6 months after harvesting. Another form of processing are pills, which can maintain their effects for up to one year. The best are tinctures and oils, which are able to stay "fresh" for up to several years thanks to the way they are sealed and bound to the carrier oil.
How do we know if our kratom is past its expiration date?
Now, here are a few points that will help you easily determine how your kratom is doing:
- Light coloring: Fresh kratom is usually bright green, reddish, or simply a "healthy" color to look at. In contrast, older kratoms will most likely show a dull and faded yellow color.
- Weak smell: Anyone who has ever tried kratom probably remembers its bitter, earthy taste. This will change over time due to the decomposition of the compounds, and the taste and aroma will be bland and flat.
- Weak effects: You will often encounter mild effects with older kratom, which you may not notice at all later, as they may de facto disappear completely.
What makes kratom expire faster?
One of the main aspects is of course time, which is relatively long under ideal conditions. What should we avoid to at least get closer to these ideal results?
Light
It will certainly come as no surprise that ultraviolet, sunlight or even LED lights damage alkaloids. This is the case in direct light, but also if it is, for example, in a transparent container outside a window. Among other things, light radiation also increases the temperature inside the glass, and a higher temperature has been proven to accelerate the degeneration of alkaloids.
We recommend removing kratom from direct sunlight and storing it in an opaque jar. It is also ideal to place kratom in a location with little or no sunlight.
Oxygen
All organic compounds oxidize when interacting with air. In this case, mitragynine alkaloid changes to mitragynine pseudoindoxyl, which is several times less effective. In this process, the Kratom will lose its color and its potency will decrease. Exposure to air can speed up the degradation of kratom by up to months, so use resealable bags and airtight containers from day one.
Capsules are relatively immune in this regard thanks to their packaging, but we also recommend storing them in a similar way.
Humidity
It doesn't matter what your particular form of kratom is, it always takes care of the moisture that is removed from the leaves due to fungi that could form very quickly in a similar environment. If you want to maximize the shelf life of kratom, you should store and process it in an environment where the relative humidity is below 50%.
Tips for extending shelf life
The biggest recommendation will certainly be proper storage of your kratom product. Whether it is a powder, capsules or, for example, oils, all of these products can very easily deteriorate due to improper storage. Storage conditions should be consistent and optimal. Let's take a look at some of the basic tips:
Buying fresh produce
The ideal situation is to buy from verified sellers, where the kratom does not "warm up for a long time". The shelf life begins already during the harvesting of the leaves, not until the delivery of your order. If you buy kratom fresh, it will last many times longer. If you already have some supplies, definitely do not mix different doses, as the new part will invalidate the older one and its properties can negatively affect the effects.
Choosing the right product
The selection of the product itself is no less important. Most users prefer the powder form, but for inexperienced users, the expiration time is often very short and it is not enough to use all the kratom in a given time. We therefore recommend starting with smaller packages, thanks to which you will also have control over the dosage.
Proper storage
The main aspect of expiration time is without a doubt the storage itself. Powder users often divide the kratom into several separate resealable bags, placing the bags themselves in a resealable container. This prevents the gradual ingress of air during dosing from the given bag.
For longer-term storage options, vacuuming individual bags has proven to be the most effective, which completely prevents air from entering and kratom can stay fresh several times longer.
Proper storage space
Dark places where the temperature is below 10 °C and the humidity does not exceed 40% are ideal. The best places seem to be pantries, garages or at least open cupboards. On the other hand, the kitchen or bathroom is not recommended due to higher humidity and frequent temperature differences.
Dry dishes
For some, it may be banality, but it is a very important point. For example, only a spoon taken directly from the dishwasher can create an ideal environment for mold, for example.
Do not freeze kratom
If you choose to freeze the brewed tea directly from the leaves, it is not the same. Frozen tea can even show stronger effects and progress faster, but the leaves or powder themselves should never be frozen. During defrosting, the contents can condense and form mold, which would spoil the entire batch.
Is Expired Kratom Safe?
If mold does not appear on kratom, it is safe to consume. However, its color is lost, its smell and its effects gradually disappear. So you probably won't experience the euphoric states, stimulation, pain relief and soothing feelings to their fullest extent.
If mold is found, avoid the dose completely. It is not enough to simply brush it off, as the powder may still contain dangerous spores that are microscopic and cannot be seen with the naked eye. Eating moldy powder or leaves is dangerous to health, with nausea being the first symptom.
Be careful when storing kratom and follow the advice given in this article. Based on these recommendations, you can enjoy its effects for a longer time and avoid unnecessary waste.
Do you need help?
If anything is not clear to you and/or you want advice on the selection, please write to us below in the comments below the post, via contact form or send us a question by e-mail info@miralecbd.cz. Thank you
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Source: https://www.kratomcountry.com/blog/kratom-shelf-life
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