How to Make Kratom Tea With Powder, Loose, or Crushed Leaf

If you're wondering how to make kratom tea from powder, crushed leaves, or loose leaves, you're in the right place. In this guide, we’ll explore multiple options for how to brew kratom tea depending on the form you’re using, and offer specific recipes you can try at home.

How to brew kratom tea

There are multiple methods of brewing kratom tea, and the best method depends on which of the different kinds of kratom you’re using — powder, crushed leaf, loose leaf, or fresh leaf. Each method has its own strengths in terms of flavor, potency, and convenience.

Method	Best for	Notes
Hot Water Steep	Crushed leaf, loose leaf	Traditional method. Longer steep time; strain before drinking.
Simmer + Strain (Decoction)	Powder, crushed leaf	Stronger extraction. Use lemon juice to protect alkaloids.
French Press	Powder, crushed leaf	Great for filtering powder, though sediment may remain.
Cold Brew (Overnight)	Powder, crushed leaf	Preserves more alkaloids and reduces bitterness, but takes time.
Boil Bags (Tea Bags)	Crushed leaf, powder (in bag)	Clean, convenient, but lower potency unless steeped longer.
Fresh Leaf Simmer	Fresh kratom leaf	Rare in Western markets. Simmer gently and drink unfiltered or lightly strained.

1. Hot Water Steep (Traditional)

Best for: Crushed leaf or loose leaf

Steep kratom in hot (not boiling) water for 15–30 minutes. Adding lemon juice improves alkaloid extraction and protects potency. Strain with a fine mesh or cheesecloth before drinking.

2. Simmer + Strain (Decoction)

Best for: Powder, crushed leaf

Simmer kratom gently in water (not a rolling boil) with lemon or lime juice for 15–20 minutes. Stir occasionally. Strain using cheesecloth or a metal filter, or let it settle and decant.

3. French Press

Best for: Powder or crushed leaf

Add kratom and hot water to the press, steep for 10–20 minutes, then slowly press and pour. This is a convenient way to separate liquid from plant material, but some sediment may remain.

4. Cold Brew (Overnight)

Best for: Powder or crushed leaf

Soak kratom in cold water with added lemon juice for 6–12 hours in the fridge. This method reduces bitterness and preserves more alkaloids, but requires patience. Strain before drinking.

5. Boil Bags or Tea Bags

Best for: Crushed leaf or pre-packed powder

Drop into hot water and steep for 15–30 minutes. Add lemon juice and sweeteners as needed. Double-bag or extend steep time for stronger results.

6. Fresh Leaf Simmer

Best for: Fresh kratom leaf

If you have access to fresh kratom leaves (rare outside Southeast Asia), gently simmer them in water for 10–20 minutes. Add lemon juice for better extraction. You can drink it as-is or strain lightly for texture. The taste is milder, and potency is balanced and full-spectrum.

Kratom tea recipes

Now that you understand the different methods for brewing kratom, let's dive into specific recipes. Each method is tailored to a different form of kratom and brewing style, so you can choose the one that fits your routine, preference, and availability best.

How to make kratom tea with powder

If you’re wondering how to make kratom tea from powder, this recipe is your best bet for a strong, fast-acting brew. Powder extracts quickly but leaves sediment, so straining is recommended for smoother kratom drinks.

1. Boil 2 cups of water, then reduce to a low simmer.
2. Add 1–2 teaspoons of kratom powder and the juice of half a lemon.
3. Simmer gently for 15–20 minutes, stirring occasionally.
4. Remove from heat and let sit for 5 minutes.
5. Strain through a coffee filter or cheesecloth into your mug.
6. Add honey, ginger, or mint to taste.

How to make kratom tea with crushed leaf

Crushed leaf is a favorite for traditional-style tea. It has less sediment than powder and a smoother taste. For a quality option, consider Krabot's Split Crushed Leaf Kilo.

1. Bring 2.5 cups of water to a boil, then reduce to a simmer.
2. Add 1.5 to 2 grams of crushed leaf and juice from half a lemon.
3. Simmer uncovered for 20–25 minutes, stirring occasionally.
4. Strain using a mesh sieve or cheesecloth.
5. Serve hot or refrigerate for iced tea.

How to make kratom tea with loose leaf

Loose leaf tea requires a longer steep time but has a milder flavor. It’s ideal for a slower, more relaxing preparation. You might try Krabot's Full Spectrum Loose Leaf for a balanced blend, or browse our full selection of kratom tea leaves for more options.

1. Add 2–3 grams of loose leaf to a tea ball or mesh infuser.
2. Boil 2 cups of water, let cool slightly, then pour over the infuser.
3. Add lemon juice to the cup or pot and steep for 30 minutes.
4. Remove infuser and sweeten to taste.

How to make kratom tea with fresh leaf

Fresh kratom leaves are rare outside Southeast Asia, but if you have access, this gentle simmer method preserves their full alkaloid profile.

1. Rinse 3–5 fresh kratom leaves thoroughly.
2. Gently simmer in 2 cups of water with lemon juice for 15–20 minutes.
3. Crush the leaves lightly during simmering to release more alkaloids.
4. Strain lightly or drink with the leaves still in the cup.

How to make kratom tea with a French press

How do you make kratom tea with minimal cleanup? Try this French press method — it’s efficient, easy, and beginner-friendly. For best results, we recommend using a balanced blend like Krabot's Split Kilo of 4 Powders.

1. Add 1–2 teaspoons of kratom powder or crushed leaf to your French press.
2. Pour in 2 cups of hot (not boiling) water and lemon juice.
3. Stir, then let steep for 15–20 minutes.
4. Press slowly and pour into a cup.
5. Add sweeteners or ice if desired.

How to make kratom tea in a coffee pot

If you don’t have a French press, your drip coffee maker can be used to brew kratom tea — just like herbal blends. For a clean and potent option, try Krabot's Crushed Leaf or any fine-ground powder.

1. Place kratom powder or crushed leaf (1–2 tsp) in a paper coffee filter.
2. Add lemon juice to the water reservoir for better extraction.
3. Run the brew cycle with 2–3 cups of water.
4. Serve as-is or strain again for clarity.

Bonus: Large batch kratom tea guide

Want to make a batch for the week? Here's how to prep kratom tea in bulk and store it safely. For variety and customization, consider using Krabot's Split of 4 Powders or Split Crushed Leaf.

1. Bring 1 liter (about 4 cups) of water to a simmer.
2. Add 6–10 grams of kratom (powder or crushed leaf) and juice of 1–2 lemons.
3. Simmer for 20–25 minutes, stirring occasionally.
4. Strain into a large glass container and let cool.
5. Store in the fridge in an airtight jar for up to 5 days.
6. Shake before pouring; serve hot or cold.

Freezer tip: For longer storage, pour cooled tea into freezer-safe containers or ice cube trays. Kratom tea can be frozen for 1–3 months without significant loss of potency. Thaw in the fridge or at room temperature — avoid microwaving to preserve alkaloids.

Key takeaways on making kratom tea

• Use lemon or another acidic ingredient to improve alkaloid extraction and preserve potency during brewing.
• Powder makes stronger tea but is harder to strain; crushed or loose leaf offers smoother results.
• Never use a full rolling boil — simmer gently to protect alkaloids.
• Strain thoroughly for better taste, or use a French press for easy cleanup.
• You can brew with fresh leaf, but it’s rare outside of Southeast Asia.
• Store leftover tea in the fridge and shake before use to keep it fresh and mixed.
• For longer storage, freeze kratom tea in airtight containers or ice cube trays — it stays potent for 1–3 months.

To dive deeper into the benefits and effects of kratom tea, check out our what is kratom tea good for guide.

What is the best way to make kratom tea?

The best way to make kratom tea is to gently simmer kratom powder or crushed leaf in water with lemon juice for 15–20 minutes, then strain before drinking. This method strikes the ideal balance of potency, flavor, and ease while preserving key alkaloids.

This simmering method—often called a decoction—helps extract mitragynine and other active compounds without degrading them through high heat. Adding lemon or lime juice not only improves flavor but also helps stabilize alkaloids, making the tea more effective.

If you're sensitive to bitterness or texture, crushed or loose leaf is often preferable to powder. For convenience, the French press method or cold brew steeping also work well, though they may yield milder effects.