Kratom is the leaf of a tree that grows in Thailand, Indonesia, the Philippines, New Guinea and Sundaland. Valued for its medicinal and opiate-like qualities, the kratom leaf has been chewed by people for hundreds of years in order to increase alertness, increase calm and, at higher doses, create feelings of euphoria. However, for those who take kratom in a powder or supplement form, the bitter taste can be off-putting. What’s a kratom drinker to do?
Regardless of whether you’re using a high-grade maeng de kratom, Bali kratom or SEI, it’s likely that you’d like the experience to be a little more pleasant. Since kratom is edible and supplies its own distinct flavor, why not find a way to incorporate it into a meal? Here are some suggestions that will make it possible for you to enjoy your kratom fully. Just keep in mind that until you’ve perfected the recipes to your liking, you may want to start with smaller doses of kratom and work your way up to your full dose.
Fruit Smoothies
Kratom has a remarkably bitter taste that few people find enjoyable. Thus, the most natural complement is something sweet, so that the bitterness can be offset. To that end, incorporate it into a fruit smoothie. Use fruit that is ripe, fresh and — if you can get it — local. Local fruit, because it hasn’t had to travel long distances and therefore, wasn’t picked before ripening, will have the most vitamins and nutrients, and it will also taste the sweetest. It doesn’t really matter what kind of fruit you use, but strawberries, apples, blueberries, mulberries and over-ripe bananas are ideal. Throw the fruit in a blender, add a little yogurt or honey if you’d like, and spoon in the kratom. After the entire thing has been pulsed until it’s is smooth, take a small taste and see if it’s to your liking. If you can still sense the bitterness, add more honey or some unprocessed sugar or maple syrup until the sweetness has completely overtaken the kratom’s bite.
Coconut Milkshakes
Coconut milk is so good for you and has a higher fat content, so it provides a nice cover for unpleasant tastes, and so makes a perfect accompaniment for kratom. Add fruit, ice and honey if you’re in the mood for a sweeter milkshake experience, but if you want to live on the edge a bit, a savory coconut milk shake will work just as well. Take a can of coconut milk, not the light kind because you need the fat and full flavor to balance out the kratom— an avocado, some slices of red or yellow bell pepper, a minced clove of garlic, 1/4 cup of fresh dill, a sprinkling of sea salt and cayenne, a carrot, a small cucumber and your kratom. Blend them all together with a bit of ice, and enjoy a refreshing, cool and savory treat. If you skip the ice, you can also eat it in a bowl on a hot summer day as a chilled soup.
In Applesauce
This is by far the easiest way to get your kratom fix in food. Mix your dose into one cup of applesauce and add a bit of unprocessed sugar and some cinnamon. Voila!
Crab Salad
Incorporating kratom into a crab salad will only work if the crab salad is mayonnaise-based. Again, the coating quality of the mayo and its fat content will act as camouflaging agents. Simply take six to eight ounces of cooked crab meat and mix in 1/3 cup of mayonnaise, a couple pieces of chopped celery, and a pinch of sea salt, fresh chopped onion, some paprika and the juice of one lemon. Stir in your kratom and taste. If the bitterness is too much, add a little sugar or agave nectar until the flavor achieves the balance you want. Eat it on a bed of sweet lettuces or hearty bread.
In Condiments
If your refrigerator is overflowing with condiments, turn them into vehicles for kratom ingestion. Keep in mind that the condiment’s flavor will be altered, but because condiments are intended to be used sparingly, they usually have a large flavor, which makes hiding kratom inside them a little easier. Here are some of the condiments that work best:
- Sriracha
- Sweet mustards
- Hot mustard
- Wasabi
Chew your kratom the way nature intended. With these helpful food tips and recipes helps, as well as some ingenuity on your part, getting kratom into your diet can be a pleasant experience all the way around.