Question: Differences in texture

[Maxxx]

Here's a weird question. I read somewhere that kratom that sticks together and looks like a bunch of little pebbles is better than kratom that has more of a granule appearance. Is this a byproduct of milling, or is there really a difference? I've been really happy ordering from Liza's lately, and most of the kratom I've received from her has been very powdery and stuck together in little clumps, but last night I opened a bag of Red Thai and it had more of a sand consistency with no clumps at all. I didn't try it yet, but it was strange to see. Any more experienced users have an explanation for the differences? I'm more curious than anything.

[e_poison]

Interesting question. For me, all strains from all vendors seem mostly like a fine powder. Never really noticed any clumps or sand-like consistency but I will pay more attention next time I open a new bag. I do notice though it tends to clump when added to water. So if it's clumping together, is it possible it got wet somewhere along the way?

[herbalhippie]

I have kratom that clumps together a bit, and fine powdered kratom and some that's a bit more coarse and everything in between. I haven't noticed whether one is better than the other. Maybe I should be paying closer attention?

[beathappening]

I believe it depends on how it's milled. Most of what I get is very fine and flour like. But I have gotten some strains, like kraydo's elephant, that is a little coarse, like sand. There was no discernible difference in quality. The coarse stuff is easier to toss and wash.

[BlendsAreMyFriends]

Not just texture but moisture content will also contribute to clumping behavior.

[lemondrop]

I've never had any sand texture before, just flour like texture.
However I have noticed that some kratom is more moist. It clumps together easily and weighs heavier then a similar looking amount of dry powdery stuff. I wonder if yours was perhaps damp kratom. Did a small amount seem to weigh heavy?

[herbalhippie]

This thread makes me want to open every bag I have and put in desiccant packets.

[Kunlong]

This thread makes me want to open every bag I have and put in desiccant packets.

I don't know as I'd do that.....

I think here it seems to be an intersection of milling & moisture content.
Fresh kratom is sappy bitter yuk! that your body learns to recognize as "good". (Good precious! Gollum gollum!)

Typically, the stronger tasting it is, the fresher it is and still "sappier". Ultra fine milling like almost instantly dries it to the molecules, there is no place for any moisture to be and lots of sap has accumulated on the mill that was in the plant matter.
I mean to say that a fresher batch that was not ultra fine likely would appear clumpy as the particles are larger and still had something to stick together with, whereas ultra fine is already way too dry.

It follows that the whole leaf would likely be the most potent form holding freshness longest, because it still has a body to hold some sap in.
I have never had leaf.....does anybody know how it compares gram for gram to fine mill?

Kratom is "gluey" like milk thistle seed. More gummy than watery and dries like a coat of paint. It's a great mess of bother to work with chemically, requiring complex extraction for full spectrum, whereas some plants the extraction is "add hot water". Kratom has to be lime juiced first and then hot cooked off and either further refined or dried as the first run of menstruum. Concentrate.

I read that in indo, if you eat it fresh, it conks you out for an hour. When I first ate it in 2011, I fell asleep for exactly one hour, but that only happened twice and I acclimated.

[Kunlong]

I have kratom that clumps together a bit, and fine powdered kratom and some that's a bit more coarse and everything in between. I haven't noticed whether one is better than the other. Maybe I should be paying closer attention?

Yes, but I am not certain moisture content is the only variable? I do not know if red sardini is sappier than red hulu because of where/how its grown, yet potency about the same?
Texture and taste....notice if the more bitter ones seem stronger?

[herbalhippie]

Texture and taste....notice if the more bitter ones seem stronger?

I've had very bitter kratom twice and neither one was outstanding. Sadly.