Kratom Tea Brewing Guides
Learn to make the best kratom tea. Whether you’re at home, at work, or on a road trip through the desert, there’s an easy way to brew a great cup of kratom tea.
Kratom Brewing FAQs
Is it ok to steep kratom leaves in boiling water?
Yes, kratom can be steeped at higher temperatures (and for a longer time) than many other types of tea.
Unlike alkaloids found in coffee or black tea, like caffeine, the alkaloids in kratom leaves, like mitragynine or speciociliatine, are not highly water soluble. Hotter temperatures help you extract more of these less-soluble alkaloids.
Research has shown that kratom alkaloids are fairly stable for multiple hours in hot water, so unless you make a highly acidic mixture and boil it for many hours, you likely won’t weaken your brew. You can learn more about the science behind the brew on the Better Brewing Blog.
Why should you use an insulated thermos or mug instead of a normal one?
There are a few great reasons to use an insulated container to brew kratom leaves into a tea, from increased effectiveness and cost-saving to greater convenience and portability.
1. Effective brewing: The most significant benefit of using an insulated thermos or mug is its ability to keep your kratom tea at the desired temperature for much longer than a normal container would. This helps you make effective tea that will provide the benefits you’re looking for.
2. Portability and convenience: Whether you prefer your tea hot or cold, an insulated container can maintain the temperature for several hours. That means you can leave your tea out at the dinner table or head out on your next adventure without it getting to room temperature too quickly.
3. Eco-Friendly and Cost-Effective: Using an insulated thermos or mug is a more sustainable option than disposable cups or normal containers that might require multiple uses of a microwave or refrigerator to keep your tea at the desired temperature. By reducing the need for reheating or adding ice, you’re saving energy and reducing waste from disposable cups.
Which brewing method do you recommend?
Our favorite method is the thermos brew (it’s effective and extremely easy) but we have recommended brewing options for various circumstances:
- Thermos brew: Perfect for when you’re busy or traveling and want to make just 1-3 servings.
- Insulated mug: A sleek, cozy version of the thermos brew. For single servings at home or at the office.
- Tea carafe: Best for when you’re busy and want to make multiple servings, when you want to serve kratom tea to others, or you need to keep your tea hot for a while after you’re done brewing.
- Stovetop brew: Great if you want to make concentrated tea or multiple servings, or you just have some extra time to relax by the stove.
- Large batch brew: A bulk stovetop brew, optimal when you want to make enough to last for multiple days or share with a larger group.
How long should kratom tea be steeped for?
We recommend steeping kratom tea for at least 15-20 minutes. The longer you brew, the more alkaloids (like mitragynine) you will extract from the leaves.
You can decrease the time it takes to steep your tea by adding an acidic liquid like lemon juice and by steeping your tea in boiling or very hot water (over 195°F).
15 minutes is a long time, but you don’t have to spend all of it actively brewing your tea. It takes about 3 minutes to prep a kratom tea thermos brew, and you can focus on other things while your tea steeps.
What does kratom tea taste like? Can you change the flavor?
Plain kratom tea has an earthy flavor. It can be bitter (like green tea steeped for a long time) but it is typically far less bitter than kratom powder.
You can add flavors like cinnamon, ginger, and orange, or sweeteners like brown sugar, agave, and stevia to make a delicious tea, exactly how you like it.
For more detailed recipes and instructions—from lattes and smoothies to mocktails and other specialty brews—view all of our kratom tea recipes.
Do you have to use 8-12 oz of water for every tea bag?
The amount of tea you should use depends on the size of your thermos and your taste preference. A general guideline is to brew 1 tea bag (or 3 grams of loose leaf tea) in 8-12 ounces (240-360 ml) of water. If you’d like to make a more concentrated tea, you can reduce the amount of water and/or increase the number of tea bags.
Why do you add lemon or lime juice to kratom tea?
While black tea has alkaloids (like caffeine) and other compounds that are easily soluble in water, kratom has alkaloids (like mitragynine) which are not easily soluble in water.
To increase the amount of alkaloids you extract from the tea leaves—i.e., make your tea stronger—you can add lemon or lime juice. Don’t like lemon or lime? Add a different food-safe acid, like apple cider vinegar or orange juice.
If you plan on making a creamy tea recipe like iced kratom chai or kratom hot chocolate, skip the lemon juice because it’ll cause most types of milk to curdle.
Can I rebrew my tea bags after the first steep?
Definitely. After you finish your first steep, you can save your tea bag for a second steep. Just add more boiling water and lemon or lime juice to your thermos, mug, carafe, or pot.
Keep in mind that depending upon how long your initial steep was, you may not get a full serving from your second steep. Additionally, the alkaloid profile of your second cup of tea will differ slightly.
