Kratom is a plant that originated and is native to Southeast Asia. It is said to be closely related to coffee, but one can’t help but wonder: does kratom have caffeine? How similar and how different are coffee and kratom to each other? If this question piques your interest, then come along and let’s take a deeper look at kratom and coffee.
The Rubiaceae Family
The Rubiaceae family is a plant known to contain both properties of coffee and kratom. There are over 13,500 species and more than 650 genera known of this plant, which makes it the fourth largest family in the angiosperm category.
What differentiates the members of the Rubiaceae family from each other is its alkaloid content. Plants within this family are found all over the world, but they thrive more and abundantly in tropical climates. The Rubiaceae is a unique and diverse plant family containing different herbs, plants, shrubs, and trees.
Kratom is also related to other plants in the Rubiaceae family, like Quinine, which has been used for the treatment of malaria.
Kratom Origins
Kratom, or MItragyna speciose, are tropical evergreen trees native to Southeast Asia, particularly in Thailand, Indonesia, Myanmar and Papua New Guinea. This plant grows well in tropical climates and thrives in many Asian countries. Although Kratom has gained popularity in the United States in the past few years, it is unable to grow there naturally due to its climate. Kratom is usually considered an herb due to its all-natural composition.
Coffee Origins
Coffee is considered a fruit and it comes from seeds of a small three that contains evergreen leaves. Coffee originates from Africa, specifically Ethiopia. But over the years, coffee beans have migrated to Southeast Asia and Central and South America. The top five countries known for growing and producing coffee are Brazil, Colombia, Vietnam, Indonesia, and Ethiopia. Many coffee drinkers love coffee’s stimulating effects, which is why it is loved all around the world.
Does Kratom Have Caffeine?
One of the most common questions people have when they find out that coffee and kratom are related is whether kratom have caffeine. The main alkaloid in coffee is caffeine. It contains stimulating properties that make every cup enjoyable. Coffee contains other alkaloids that are less concentrated, such as theobromine and theophylline, but their stimulating effects are not as good as caffeine’s.
Kratom, on the other hand, has over 25 alkaloids and the main ones are mitragynine and 7-hydroxymitragynine. It does not contain caffeine, but its alkaloids have the same effect caffeine has. So, to answer the question: Does Kratom have caffeine? The answer is no.
Coffee Vs. Kratom
Kratom and coffee, as we all know, look very different from each other. Kratom’s leaves are large and its tree does not produce fruit, nor does it have small clusters of flowers at the end of its branches.
Kratom leaves are classified by the color of the veins which run through them. These can be red, green, or white and they are also known to have subcategories, which we call ‘strains.’ Kratom strains are usually named after the color of the veins they have, as well as from the place they originate. For example, Red Thai kratom would have red-veined leaves originating from Thailand.
Coffee, on the other hand, are a lot smaller and its seeds are enclosed within the fruit of its flowers. In order to efficiently harvest coffee beans, the fruit must be mature and properly ripened.
You can use kratom leaves to produce several kratom products, such as tea, powder and capsules. Kratom tea is quite popular, and users can enjoy it like they would a cup of coffee.
Unlike kratom, coffee is not offered in many different forms. It is usually just offered as a hot or cold drink. But the coffee bean itself is used in a wide range of products such as hair and body products, cosmetics, and even diet supplements.
Coffee and kratom plants both thrive well in warmer climates. However, they each come from different parts of the world. Coffee is from Africa but is now also grown in Asia. This is different from Kratom because the plant is still primarily produced in the place of its origin, specifically Southeast Asia. What makes kratom and coffee similar to each other is that they both need warm climate to survive.
Kratom and coffee are both produced and exported all around the world. Since kratom has been getting popular in the West, particularly in the USA, it is believed that it will one day be exported from other parts of the world as well. But right now, kratom is mostly sourced and produced in Asia.
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Coffee produces stimulating effects due to its alkaloid caffeine. Caffeine is found in several products, but not in kratom. So, for those who have been asking “Does kratom have caffeine?”, you already know the answer. Kratom doesn’t have caffeine because its alkaloid profile is quite different from coffee. It mostly has mitragynine and 7-hydroxymitragynine—alkaloids that provide different effects than caffeine.
You might find it surprising but kratom has been used a lot longer than coffee. People in Asia have been using kratom for centuries in religious ceremonies and for therapeutic reasons. Coffee, on the other hand, did not gain popularity until the 1500s.
Kratom is used differently from coffee as it is mostly considered an herb. It provides wellness support, and the body reacts differently to both coffee and kratom depending on how much dose you take. It is important to consult with a physician first before you start a new type of substance, like kratom. They can warn you against excessive use of kratom or caffeine even advise you to limit your intake.
Coffee and kratom have many similarities and yet they are also quite different in more ways than one. But they are both part of the coffee family and are popularly used in many parts of the world today.
Can You Mix Kratom and Coffee Together?
Kratom, as you know, usually comes in powdered form. If you’re wondering how to use it and what you can mix it with, don’t worry. Kratom powder is a pretty diverse product and you can mix it with any beverage including coffee. But before you start using any new substance, always consult your doctor. Kratom should not be used for treating, curing, and mitigating any ailment, diseases and/or physical condition.
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