Coffee and kratom happen to be closely related. Both are part of the Rubiaceae family, but they are different in a lot of ways. To better understand these two products let’s do a comparison of their similarities and differences. Hopefully, by the end of this blog, you will have a better understanding of coffee vs kratom.
Both coffee and kratom are from the Rubiaceae family as we mentioned above. This family is quite large as it contains over 13,500 species and more than 650 genera. This puts the Rubiaceae family as the fourth-largest group in the angiosperm class.
While both products we are discussing are part of this family they still have very distinct differences. Think about it, your family is made up of all kinds of individuals who may have similarities and differences. This is the same for the Rubiaceae family.
The Rubiaceae family is made up of herbs, trees, shrubs, and plants. So, you can see that there is a diverse offering of products just in this one family. You will find that kratom is closely related to Quinine, which is also part of this family.
Kratom, also known as Mitragyna Speciosa, is native to Southeast Asia. This evergreen tree grows throughout Thailand, Indonesia, Malaysia, Myanmar, and Papua New Guinea. It requires a tropical climate to thrive, which means all kratom is still exported from Asia. It has been around for centuries but has only been popular in the United States for the last decade. Kratom is an herb that provides distinct wellness support that users are seeking.
Coffee, unlike kratom, is a seed that comes from a tree. Believe it or not, coffee is a fruit. The tree has evergreen leaves on it, and the stems can reach up to 10 meters in height. This fruit was first discovered in Africa and is still heavily exported from countries such as Ethiopia.
However, the seeds have made their way to Southeast Asia, Central America, and South America. Places such as Brazil, Vietnam, Colombia, Indonesia, and Ethiopia are all known for planting, growing, and harvesting coffee.
Caffeine is an alkaloid that is found in coffee. As we all know, it has stimulating properties and is the main reason why so many people turn to it for their morning pick-me-up. However, kratom contains different alkaloids such as mitragynine and 7-hydroxy mitragynine. With more than 25 alkaloids present in kratom, some mimic caffeine, but this herb does not contain caffeine.
You will find that the Rubiaceae family is diverse and made up of many different plants. Just comparing the appearance of coffee and kratom you can see that they are very different. Kratom is a powder that is created from the leaves of the Mitragyna Speciosa trees. These trees do not produce any type of fruit but they will have some flower clusters towards the ends of the branches.
The coffee plant is small in size. Coffee is a seed within the fruit that is
produced by the plant’s flower. The coffee bean is the mature fruit of the plant. This fruit will have to reach the correct maturity before it is harvested and transformed into coffee beans.
Coffee is a seed from the plant’s fruit. Kratom on the other hand is produced from the tree’s leaves. There is a central vein that runs through the leaves. This vein may be red, green, or white. The various vein color indicates the maturity of the leaves and tells farmers when to harvest them. White vein kratom will offer subtle support, while red vein kratom is more robust.
This helps us see that coffee and kratom are very different in the way they are harvested. Their appearance is also drastically different. The coffee plant is small, and bears fruit and flowers. The kratom tree grows up to 80 feet tall and will produce small flowers at the ends of the branches.
Kratom is offered in powders, capsules, and extracts. Coffee is only offered in a drink. So, this is also another big difference between the two. However, when you look at the coffee bean itself many different products include it, such as cosmetics, dietary supplements, hair, and body products.
Coffee and kratom both require warm weather to grow. However, they are from different areas of the world. Kratom is still produced in Southeast Asia which is its native country. Coffee has branched out to other parts of the world including Asia.
Both of these products are popular and exported globally. Kratom and coffee both contain alkaloids, but don’t let that fool you because they are very different. Coffee’s main alkaloid is caffeine. Whereas, kratom contains large amounts of mitragynine and 7-hydroxy mitragynine. Both coffee and kratom produce different support that is highly sought after.
Kratom has been around longer. It has been used for centuries in Asian culture. Coffee made its debut in the 1500s, which was centuries after kratom had first come along. Kratom was primarily used in religious ceremonies and cultural practices. Coffee has always been used in a social setting.
Believe it or not, coffee was once feared by Europeans. Now it is one of the most popular drinks worldwide. So, this gives us hope that one-day kratom will overcome all the negativity it has gained and be as popular as coffee is.
Kratom is an herb, while coffee is considered a fruit. It’s easy to see that these plants both hold some similarities and a lot of differences. They are highly sought after all over the world.
The important thing to remember is that you should consult your physician before starting any new substances. A physician is the only one trained to give you medical advice. Never perceive anecdotal reporting as safe advice.
Both coffee and kratom are popular in today’s society. They have a place among those seeking support. It will all depend on the type of support you are looking for. While both are from the same family, that is really where the similarities stop for kratom and coffee.
We hope that this blog was successful in helping you understand the similarities and differences between coffee and kratom. If you have any other questions do not hesitate to contact us. We aim to provide our customers with high-quality kratom products and exceptional customer support. You will find a variety of strains on our site offered in both capsules and powders.
