In this thread, I will be reviewing and logging two new products from StraightUpKratom: their new Candid Orange extract-based instant drink mix (think the kratom equivalent of Crystal Light) as well as their new Special House Blend powdered kratom. I would also like to take the opportunity to apologize for the delay in posting the thread. The good news is that I have already had the opportunity to try both products, photos of which are posted below:
(Reserved for photo)
(Reserved for photo)
Reviews based on my initial experiences using both products are written below:
Candid Orange Drink Mix
I finally got around to trying this the other day. First, I'll comment on the drink mix's taste, since all of us who have used kratom in the past are more than familiar with the notoriously unpleasant taste of standard powdered kratom products, right? Well, I'm happy to say that if the unmistakably bad taste of powdered kratom makes you turn your nose up at the mere thought of taking kratom via the traditional "toss 'n' wash" method, then you'll be pleasantly surprised when you try Candid Orange. Like I mentioned above, Candid Orange is basically like a Crystal Light-esque method of delivering a kratom dose. If I had to compare the flavor to that of another product, I'd say that it is reminiscent of Crystal Light's Sunrise Orange, which is one my favorite flavors out of the entire CL line (it's the only orange juice-flavored product I've come across that tastes good and doesn't pack 100+ calories per serving!). There is a hint of the trademark kratom bitterness, but it's very subtle and understated, especially in comparison to the strong, shudder-inducing bitterness of pure powdered kratom. Without a doubt, I can confidently say that this product offers the most palatable method of kratom use.
Next, I'd like to subjectively describe the effects I noticed from using Candid Orange, which I mixed in probably 5-6 oz. of water and took on an almost-empty stomach. I usually like to take kratom a couple hours before going to sleep (so usually red/orange strains) and just relax around the house while the kratom itself takes effect. About 25-30 minutes after drinking my Candid Orange sample, I noticed a mild sense of euphoria, along with a sense of well-being and very mild feeling of stimulation. If I had to compare the effects of Candid Orange to a kratom strain, I'd say it's probably somewhere between a faster orange strain and a slower yellow strain (but without being too stim-intense in its effects like certain white strains can be).
Overall, I'd say that Candid Orange is a solid option for anyone who wants to experience the general broad spectrum of kratom's effects, without any of those effects being too strongly pronounced. It's a great any-time-of-day product, in other words.
Special House Blend
Next, I'll go ahead and review the 200g bag of the new Special House Blend StraightUpKratom was generous enough to send me. My understanding is that this product is a blend of red and orange strains. It's a product comprised of pure powdered kratom, so I think it goes without saying that it would be wishful thinking to expect it to taste good. In regards to dosing, I usually take a total of maybe 10-12g divided into 3 doses that are all spread out over the course of 1 - 1.5 hours.
When I tried it for the first time the other day, I prepared the first dose of 3-4g via my go-to method of toss-'n'-wash and drank it on a mostly empty stomach. About 30 minutes later, I noticed the unmistakable kratom euphoria and noticed my mindset become progressively more positive in its outlook. Around this time, I took the second 3-4g dose and noticed these effects intensify. Finally, around 40 minutes later, I took the final 3-4g dose and noticed the same effects as before, but with a calmer edge. Overall, I would summarize the effects of this blend as being similar to a slightly fast red strain; it's calming enough that you can take it and lay down to go to sleep, and yet at the same time, it's not so heavy that it incapacitates you like heavier red strains are known to do.
Throughout the coming days and weeks, I will be updating this thread with my continued experiences using the Special House Blend 2-3 days per week. Thanks again to StraightUpKratom for giving me the opportunity to try these new products!
(Reserved for photo)
(Reserved for photo)
Reviews based on my initial experiences using both products are written below:
Candid Orange Drink Mix
I finally got around to trying this the other day. First, I'll comment on the drink mix's taste, since all of us who have used kratom in the past are more than familiar with the notoriously unpleasant taste of standard powdered kratom products, right? Well, I'm happy to say that if the unmistakably bad taste of powdered kratom makes you turn your nose up at the mere thought of taking kratom via the traditional "toss 'n' wash" method, then you'll be pleasantly surprised when you try Candid Orange. Like I mentioned above, Candid Orange is basically like a Crystal Light-esque method of delivering a kratom dose. If I had to compare the flavor to that of another product, I'd say that it is reminiscent of Crystal Light's Sunrise Orange, which is one my favorite flavors out of the entire CL line (it's the only orange juice-flavored product I've come across that tastes good and doesn't pack 100+ calories per serving!). There is a hint of the trademark kratom bitterness, but it's very subtle and understated, especially in comparison to the strong, shudder-inducing bitterness of pure powdered kratom. Without a doubt, I can confidently say that this product offers the most palatable method of kratom use.
Next, I'd like to subjectively describe the effects I noticed from using Candid Orange, which I mixed in probably 5-6 oz. of water and took on an almost-empty stomach. I usually like to take kratom a couple hours before going to sleep (so usually red/orange strains) and just relax around the house while the kratom itself takes effect. About 25-30 minutes after drinking my Candid Orange sample, I noticed a mild sense of euphoria, along with a sense of well-being and very mild feeling of stimulation. If I had to compare the effects of Candid Orange to a kratom strain, I'd say it's probably somewhere between a faster orange strain and a slower yellow strain (but without being too stim-intense in its effects like certain white strains can be).
Overall, I'd say that Candid Orange is a solid option for anyone who wants to experience the general broad spectrum of kratom's effects, without any of those effects being too strongly pronounced. It's a great any-time-of-day product, in other words.
Special House Blend
Next, I'll go ahead and review the 200g bag of the new Special House Blend StraightUpKratom was generous enough to send me. My understanding is that this product is a blend of red and orange strains. It's a product comprised of pure powdered kratom, so I think it goes without saying that it would be wishful thinking to expect it to taste good. In regards to dosing, I usually take a total of maybe 10-12g divided into 3 doses that are all spread out over the course of 1 - 1.5 hours.
When I tried it for the first time the other day, I prepared the first dose of 3-4g via my go-to method of toss-'n'-wash and drank it on a mostly empty stomach. About 30 minutes later, I noticed the unmistakable kratom euphoria and noticed my mindset become progressively more positive in its outlook. Around this time, I took the second 3-4g dose and noticed these effects intensify. Finally, around 40 minutes later, I took the final 3-4g dose and noticed the same effects as before, but with a calmer edge. Overall, I would summarize the effects of this blend as being similar to a slightly fast red strain; it's calming enough that you can take it and lay down to go to sleep, and yet at the same time, it's not so heavy that it incapacitates you like heavier red strains are known to do.
Throughout the coming days and weeks, I will be updating this thread with my continued experiences using the Special House Blend 2-3 days per week. Thanks again to StraightUpKratom for giving me the opportunity to try these new products!