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In the ongoing battle for ultimate popular
heated beverage, the ubiquitous lattes and double-half-caff-soy-venti's have
taken a bit of a blow. Seems the American public's tastes are taking a turn
toward the less-caffeinated and easier on the stomach. After thousands of years
of prominence in Eastern cultures, teas are beginning to gain ground as an
alternative in the coffee-obsessed American times. And that is surely a good
thing.
For a drink that's played so significant a role in Asian cultures, as a staple
beverage, curative, and even symbol of status, it is no surprise that the
mythical origins of tea have achieved the status of legend. In one, Shennong,
the legendary Emporor of China and inventor of agriculture and Chinese medicine,
was drinking a nice bowl of boiling water around 2737 BC. When a few windblown
leaves from a nearby tree fell into his water, altering its taste and color,
took a sip and was pleasantly surprised. The rest is, as they say, history.
Tea is made by steeping leaves, buds, or other herbal ingredients (including
flowers, spices, and fruits) in hot water for rarely longer than a few minutes.
And although, originally, "tea" denoted four basic types (black, oolong, green,
and white), these days the term often includes herbal infusions, like chamomile
or jiaogulan.
Kratom tea can reportedly be prepared in one of two ways. The first is by
grounding whole kratom leaves into a powder to then be prepared as per the
traditional method (steeping in boiling water). The second is by using kratom
extract, which will provide a far more regulated and reliable dosage. Depending
on the potency of the extract and the desired effect (smaller dosages act as a
stimulant, generally, while larger kratom dosages are more sedative), add
extract to water and bring to a boil. Then, add sugar or honey to taste, and
enjoy. The alkaloids in Kratom are not destroyed by temperatures that
boiling water generates, so you can boil for as long as you wish to get the
strength you desire.
Specific to Mitragyna speciosa
(Kratom):
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