What Is The Shelf Life Of Kratom? Does Kratom Go Bad? How To Best Store Your Kratom And What To Avoid. An Overview Of Kratom Storage And Shelf Life.
We know that we aren’t the only ones that worry about kratom shelf-life. Like nervous squirrels, when the dreaded threat from the FDA came in 2016 to effectively ban kratom, our first thought was to buy a few pallet loads and hope that they keep! Does kratom go bad? Who knows!
Well, we shouldn’t have been so worried because the kratom community defeated the FDA’s attempt to ban it. But, we’re still thinking about how to best store our kratom for the long-term. If you’re also thinking about kratom storage and shelf-life, read on here for some important tips!
Long-Term Kratom Storage
In scouring the web, interviewing countless users, and contacting suppliers, distributors, and sellers, one common theme emerges; kratom shelf-life is extremely long. In fact, we’ve yet to find definitive proof of kratom expiring. So, does kratom go bad? We’re not sure yet, but more research is coming out every day. While kratom probably won’t stay fresh until the end of time, you don’t have to worry too much about the impact of aging on potency, efficacy, and aroma.
When kratom is stored properly, and if you plan to use it within a vaguely reasonable time frame, you don’t need to worry about a product going bad.
Basic Kratom Storage Rules
To ensure that you maximize kratom’s shelf-life, there are a few rules you should follow. One of the most important rules is to ensure that the kratom stays completely dry at all times. Some of the best ways to guarantee dry, safe kratom storage include:
- Storing kratom in glass mason jars, high-quality tupperware, or vacuum sealed bags
- Double or triple bagging your product
- Keeping kratom in a dry, cool, dark place
- Adding silica packs for increased peace of mind
- Making sure you label and date your kratom, just to be safe.
You might also want to split up your kratom into several different jars or containers so if one of them gets contaminated, you only lose a small portion of your inventory.
A number of unverified, casual experiments have been conducted by the kratom community regarding kratom shelf-life and storage. These projects covered a period of up to one year, and they found that properly stored kratom showed no fungal contaminants or significant degradation of quality. Furthermore, most users found that misplaced kratom stashes from months-to-years ago also showed no reduction in quality and no adverse effects.
Kratom Storage Problems
Finding the perfect place to store your kratom may present you with some problems. Since moisture is the biggest threat, you don’t want to store kratom anywhere damp. Cross out the niche under the sink, anywhere near the shower, and any other places that may have running water.
Freezer
While the freezer is often a good place to store things long term, this isn’t the case for kratom. Due to condensation and the potential introduction of moisture, freezer storage could be detrimental to kratom shelf-life. The risks of introducing moisture to your kratom are simply too high to justify the minimal increase in shelf-life.
Sunlight
Sunlight is another concern that can be harmful to organic products and may impact kratom shelf-life. While the alkaloids present in kratom appear quite stable in normal circumstances, sunlight can degrade almost anything if given enough time. High and low temperatures can also present variables that may or may not damage kratom — especially over extended periods of time. It’s better just to avoid sunlight completely and remove any potential risk.
Capsule Kratom
If you have kratom capsules, you’re also dealing with an additional variable in kratom shelf-life. Capsuled kratom can degrade over time because it is more vulnerable to degradation than powdered kratom. While gelatin capsules are generally stable, vegetable glycerin capsules can be somewhat vulnerable over long periods of time if you don’t keep them in an entirely airtight storage.
You can store kratom capsules in a bag to catch any powder that escapes or open the capsules and gather the kratom powder in a separate container for long-term storage.
Storage Dos
- Under the Bed
- Bedroom Closet
- Clothes Drawer
- Treasure Chest
- Cabinet
Storage Don’ts
- Anywhere in a Bathroom
- In the Car
- Buried in the Backyard
- In the Kitchen
- In the Freezer or Fridge
The Benefits of Kratom’s Shelf-Life
Kratom’s long shelf-life is just one of the things that makes it such a great product. The scare of 2016 sent many of us scurrying to create “kratacombs” that we could use to escape the dreaded doom of banishment. Luckily, each passing day sees a strengthening of the kratom community and its argument for remaining legal.
The Kratom Consumer Protection Act is spreading across the country and addressing consumer protection laws on a by-state basis. With any luck, this act will ensure that any long-term storage is more a reflection of personal choice, and not necessity.
If you follow our recommendations for kratom storage, you can rest easy knowing that your kratom stash is safe from the ravages of time. Have tips of your own? Let us know in the comments!