Kratom Shelf Life: Does Kratom Ever Expire?

Southeast Asia has been aware of kratom for centuries, if not longer. Meanwhile, in the west, we’ve only known of it for a few decades. The popularity of kratom is growing rapidly, but there is still a lot we don’t know as well as plenty of misinformation.

Buyers expect their desired kratom strains to be fresh. Meanwhile, vendors who legitimately care about their shoppers do their best to stock up on fresh speciosa. But what happens after you buy fresh kratom?

How long does it last? Does kratom go bad? And if it expires, what is the kratom shelf life? And how can you make sure that yours remains fresh and potent as long as possible?

Let’s tackle the question for you so that you can save on bulk orders without compromising the quality and freshness of your kratom.

What Is Shelf Life?

Shelf life is the time period during which a product can be stored or for sale. In other words, stay on a shelf before its quality and potency begin to deteriorate. Shelf life duration differs for each product.

You can still use the product past its shelf life, but it will not be “in its prime.” Moreover, you can prolong or shorten the shelf life of a product depending on the way you store it.

What Is Kratom’s Shelf Life?

High-quality kratom is at its freshest for three to six months after leaves have been ground into powder. However, by properly storing it, you can extend the shelf life of kratom. As a result, you can keep your product in optimal condition for up to two years or longer.

The quality and potency of the product start to slowly deteriorate after that, and it eventually expires. But it’s still good for a good while, especially if you have stored it correctly.

What Affects Kratom Shelf Life?

Kratom is a natural, dried product. As with any organic matter out there, it is subject to damage. This can influence the way kratom looks, feels, and smells, as well as its beneficial properties. This is due to the changes that occur on a molecular level.

Kratom powder contains a minimum of 25 different alkaloids, such as mitragynine and hydroxymitragynine. Alkaloids are a class of phytochemicals, non-nutritive plant chemicals with protective properties. They help plants resist different threats, such as bacteria, fungi, insects, and animals. Many alkaloids also have properties that people can benefit from.

Once kratom leaves are removed from their tree, the alkaloids and other chemicals in them begin to break down. The process is slow. However, certain factors can speed it up, causing kratom to lose its properties much faster. These include:

• Prolonged exposure to UV light, i.e., direct sunlight,
• Exposure to moisture,
• Exposure to pathogens such as mold or fungi.

So, what do you need to do to prolong kratom shelf life and have the best possible kratom experience?

7 Tips to Extend Kratom Shelf Life

1. Get the Freshest Kratom Available

The fresher the kratom you purchase, the less damage has occurred to the alkaloids. This also means longer shelf life of kratom.

To get the freshest product possible, it’s important to buy kratom from a vendor who gets it straight from the source. Such kratom will spend less time in transit, warehouses, and storage.

Repackaging a product can also result in more exposure to light, moisture, and pathogens. These can decrease kratom shelf life and quality. Kratom capsules also require an additional step of handling and packaging which can also negatively affect the quality of the final product.

Usually, online vendors who specialize in kratom tend to have fresher products than local vendors. That’s because they are more likely to get their products directly from a manufacturer or a farmer rather than a middleman.

Local vendors, especially tobacco stores, gas stations, and similar, don’t specialize in kratom. They sell it along with a multitude of other products and get kratom from a distributor. This means that by the time the product gets to the buyer, it is much older.

2. Don’t Open the Original Package Until You Need It

Reputable vendors sell kratom in vacuum-sealed packaging, which is ideal for long-term storage. So, if you buy kratom in bulk, don’t open it all right away.

If you buy in bulk and would like to repackage your kratom, don’t do it right after receiving your order. Only open the original packaging when you actually need it.

3. Don’t Mix Old Kratom with New

Got some old kratom reserves and considering mixing in your new batch to freshen it up? Not the best idea. Instead of improving the quality and shelf life of your old kratom, you are more likely to decrease that of your new kratom.

If there are any pathogens present in your old batch, you risk transferring that to your new batch and ruining it all.

So, leave your new batch sealed while you finish up the one that’s open.

4. Store Away from Direct Sunlight and Moisture

Use the same storing methods for kratom that you would use to store herbs and tea leaves at home. Keep in a cool, dark, and dry place and in containers that don’t allow air in.

Exposure to sunlight, oxygen, and moisture can degrade kratom. Moisture can also cause mold and mildew to develop, and once that happens, it’s best to get rid of the entire batch.

To store kratom properly, use high-quality airtight containers, jars, Ziploc bags, and similar. Buying a vacuum sealer can be another wonderful long-term investment. Date the containers you keep your kratom in so you forget how old it is.

5. Keep Kratom in a Place Where the Temperature Doesn’t Fluctuate

Storing kratom in a place with a steady temperature is another great way to prolong its shelf life. It will also preserve its potency, freshness, aroma, and efficacy.

Temperature fluctuations can have a detrimental effect on your kratom. That’s because heat affects quality. It can lead to condensation developing in the packages, which can lead to mold over time.

So, avoid storing kratom in cupboards above the stove or heater or in places that may get overheated by the sun during warmer months.

6. Don’t Use Wet Utensils

Don’t use wet utensils such as spoons to scoop kratom powder. Even a tiny amount of moisture can easily transfer to the rest of the product remaining in the bag. This can be more than enough for mold to start developing.

7. Don’t Freeze Kratom

The fridge or the freezer may seem like a good option for kratom long-term storage. However, you may end up damaging it.

Dry herbal products can easily pick up moisture in the fridge, and unfreezing kratom can result in moisture and condensation forming in the packages. This, in turn, can lead to the development of mold.

For the same reason, avoid places where kratom can be exposed to moisture and develop condensation. There are places such as the laundry room or bathroom.

How Can You Tell that Kratom Has Gone Bad?

First, check the expiry date (this is why it’s a good idea to label your containers if you repackage kratom). Like dried herbs and tea, well-stored kratom can still be good for several months or even longer past its expiry date.

Next, observe your kratom powder for any difference in color, texture, and aroma. Expired or damaged kratom powder will show clear signs of deterioration, such as:

• Discoloration or a change in hue: Fresh kratom is always green. If it’s tan or brown, it’s no longer good.
• Different aroma: If you can no longer feel a strong, earthy fragrance, kratom has lost its freshness and potency. However, if you sense the scent of mold or mildew, the entire content of the package or container is contaminated.
• Lumpy texture: Fresh, high-quality kratom powder has a fine texture. If it becomes lumpy, that’s a sign of moisture.

Final Words

Kratom powder is at its freshest in the first three months. However, you can prolong kratom shelf life by buying a fresh and high-quality product.

Choose a product that hasn’t been stored for a long time or repackaged various times. Moreover, use dark, airtight containers to store it adequately and make the most out of your batch.

Want to get your hands on some fresh and potent kratom strains that are going to have a long shelf life? Check out our kratom products.

We import them directly from farmers in Indonesia who follow sustainable and ethical practices. We test all our kratom in a third-party laboratory to ensure no pathogens or adulterants are present.