Picking out the perfect kratom product is half the battle to enjoying its effects to the max. Another thing that you always need to be mindful of is how you’re storing it, since kratom, like almost all organic substances, has a shelf life. Kratom is pretty forgiving compared to other organic products, but at the same time, failing to store kratom properly can mean a significant reduction in effectiveness. Fortunately, there are some very basic do’s and don’ts that are easy to follow, and we’ll go over all of them today.
How Long Does Kratom Stay Fresh For?
First off, let’s talk about the general shelf life of kratom. Kratom is the dried powder of the Mitragyna speciosa tree, which grows throughout Southeast Asia. Its leaves are harvested, dried, and turned into a powder, which can then be turned into all kinds of product types, like capsules, beverages, and more.
Keep in mind, too, that kratom sold in the US has already traveled quite a ways from where it was harvested, since the tree only grows in a specific region of the world. During this time, it ages naturally, and is exposed to various environmental conditions that can cause oxidization, meaning those potent alkaloids can start to break down. Because of this, the average shelf life of kratom is about 3 months when it’s not stored properly. However, when it is stored properly, it can last for about a year before losing its potency.
Expired kratom isn’t dangerous to consume. But, it won’t be effective, as those alkaloids eventually degrade to the point of failing to interact with the body in any meaningful way.
How to Store Your Kratom the Right Way
Now, let’s talk about how to store your kratom to extend its shelf life for as long as possible – up to a year, like we said. Here are several key tips to storing your kratom to make it stay effective.
Tip #1: Keep Your Kratom Out of Humid Environments
Kratom can get moldy, and if that occurs, you’ll have to get rid of the entire product. This is why you should make sure that kratom never stays in a humid environment. The best example of a humid environment to avoid is the bathroom, where the steam of the shower is constantly increasing humidity levels.
Tip #2: Make Sure It’s Sealed
Kratom should be sealed at all times, except for when you’re actively taking it. No matter the product form, it can quickly oxidize if it’s exposed to oxygen, which is why you want to be sure you keep it in its original packaging, or an otherwise airtight vessel like Tupperware or a resealable bag.
Tip #3: Avoid Heat
Another thing that matters a lot is the temperature at which your kratom is stored. It needs to be exposed to a cool temperature, which is why so many people recommend just keeping it in the fridge. However, a drawer, cabinet, or closet without a heat source near by could work just as well.
Tip #4: Avoid UV Light
Yes, the rays of the sun that can cause damage to our skin can also damage kratom. Even inside your home, the sun’s UV rays may reach that kratom and destabilize its compounds quickly. This is why we recommend an opaque or darkly tinted vessel for storage, so that sunlight can’t interfere with what’s inside.
Tip #5: Avoid Outdoor Environments
You definitely don’t want to keep your kratom in an area with unpredictable and varied changes in heat, humidity, and light. This will just destabilize the kratom. This means keeping it away from any outdoor environment, like a garage, or inside your car, where the environment can change drastically every 24 hours.
Tip #6: Steer Clear of Smelly Areas
Kratom is very good at absorbing the smells of its environment, and while this won’t necessarily impact the effectiveness of the product, it can make the product more unpleasant to consume. So, keep it away from smelly areas, like right near by your kitchen garbage.
How to Store Kratom Tea
A lot of people like to make tea out of kratom powder, and if you’re making a large batch, you may wonder how to best store it so that it stays fresh and potent. We recommend making a pot of tea and allowing it to cool to room temperature, before transferring it to an airtight plastic container and refrigerating it. Once refrigerated, it can be used for up to a week.
Freezing Kratom: Is it Worth it?
Some people freeze their kratom by storing it in a freezer, no matter the product form. We don’t actually know if this benefits the shelf life of the kratom, since there hasn’t been any research on the topic. One thing to worry about is freezer burn, which could make the kratom product unappealing because of its smell. However, interestingly enough, people have found that freezing their kratom makes it more potent, because it breaks the cell walls so that the kratom absorbs into the body more efficiently, for stronger effects.
How to Know You’re Buying Fresh Kratom
If you want to avoid buying kratom that’s already close to expiring, your best option is to buy from a trusted online source, where they specialize in kratom specifically, and have a lot more to lose if the product doesn’t arrive fresh and potent. This way, you can avoid buying from companies that don’t put the time and care into storing their kratom properly, as well as products sold by vendors that have a low product turnover rate, meaning that kratom is already expiring on their shelves.
Fresh Kratom is Potent Kratom
Storing your kratom properly is the key to enjoying its full potential of possible benefits. So, you don’t want to waste money by investing in kratom, only to store it improperly. Luckily, these tips are all super simple to follow, and you can know you’re getting your kratom from a reputable vendor by simply sticking to the products at Topps Kratom, which are sold fresh.