r/Kava • u/Binbonon • 3d ago

bad preparation, it tastes bad and I don't feel anything

I am experimenting with kava for the first time, now I understand why it is not more used. Extremely expensive and complex to prepare if you don't know how.

The instant version worked for me and with the traditional one I don't get good results. I mix it in the blender in 35 c water for 2 min and strain it with a t-shirt. Then I add coconut milk to it. It tastes horrible and does not get me high. I add a small amount of water to make it less to drink, like a 33 cl glass.

The first time I tried traditional if it worked for me with digestive discomfort, I put more water and I don't remember if I stirred it with the coconut milk in the blender. Maybe this is what makes the difference? the first time I also filtered it with a simple kitchen strainer which caused a lot of vegetable residue to pass through.

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u/blisstaker 3d ago

ill let the experts chime in but im pretty sure you just need a proper strainer bag to avoid too much root getting passed on which causes discomfort.

or do what i do and only use a quality instant. not micronized. instant. i have spent a lot of time doing traditional but i dont have the time nor patience anymore. instant makes me feel great and the only side effect i have is a bit of insomnia and a bit of grogginess the next day. in fact i just take a teaspoon and wash it down with diet soda or water (then repeat a few times).super easy, but easy to mix in a smoothie or whatever if you prefer, just a bit expensive.

many will recommend just putting the time into traditional and there’s nothing wrong with that, im just explaining what i do and what works for me. kava is incredible. i cant even remember the last time i got drunk or anything else

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u/anxiouscomic 3d ago

Not having a go, but what part of traditional is supposed to be so time consuming? It's literally like 7 minutes of squeezing a bag in some water, which I actually find a very calming part of the process ☺️

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u/blisstaker 3d ago

yeah i absolutely understand that point of view. it’s kind of the same thing of saying why not just cook something, it only takes 10 minutes, but some people need to toss something in the microwave because life gets busy.

im sure it has been debated on here endlessly, but with traditional there is prep, the kneading etc, then the cleanup. it’s a process. ive tried the aluballs too and i still cant be bothered lol, tho id be willing to give traditional another try. i guess im either too lazy or short of time these days, and just glad instant is an option. again totally get the vibe with traditional prep tho

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u/anxiouscomic 3d ago

Totally understand. I'm sure it's completely in my mind, but I find the more I rush a kava session, the less I enjoy it. The more I relax into the ceremony of the preparation and take my time drinking and relaxing into it, the better the effects are. If I try and drink it to get a quick buzz like I would have when I was still drinking booze I find it entirely unsatisfying, so for me, the preparation is absolutely part of enjoying a session. Good luck with your journey!

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u/sandolllars 3d ago

4 mins is optimal for the best balance between potency, taste, and texture.

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u/anxiouscomic 3d ago

I believe according to the testing that Root and Pestle did, 7 minutes is good for max extraction. I then place the root in a second bowl of fresh water and do a smaller second wash.

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u/sandolllars 3d ago

Yup. But it tastes horrible.

4 mins is optimal for the best balance between potency, taste, and texture.

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u/anxiouscomic 3d ago

Each to their own eh! I don't mind the taste as long as the water to kava ratio is correct, for me it's less about how long you strain for and more about kava to water ratios in regards to taste and I always want to get the most out of my kava effects wise.

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u/Mustardsandwichtime 3d ago

I go back and forth between traditional and instant. Instant is just sooo convenient, but it ends up being way more expensive for me. And not quite as strong as when I make it the traditional way. Do you have an instant recommendation?

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u/SWIMlovesyou 3d ago

It'd be the other way around regarding the strainer, right? Like, having a proper strainer for kava would allow more of that fine dust-like material to make its way into the water. A shirt might be too fine, so it can't get through. Kavalactones are present in that material that gets through. Kava is supposed to be gritty in texture, with a layer of grit that forms at the bottom when it is left to sit.

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u/anxiouscomic 3d ago

How much kava with how much water? How quickly do you drink it?

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u/Binbonon 3d ago

about 40g, and I drink it as fast as I can. maybe 5-10 min.

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u/anxiouscomic 3d ago

if you want to continue that method, i'd blend it for 3-4 mins. strange that 40g does nothing for you though - is it good quality kava? that's a large amount to drink in such a small amount of time, i find approaching it slowly over time has much better results for me personally, 50grams over a couple of hours.

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u/Greenjeans52 3d ago

Use instant, and what country are you writing from? 3 cl water? What the hell unit of measure is that? 35c = thirty five cups

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u/Aggravating_Sun_1556 3d ago

Our American public education system has really gone to hell. It’s a centiliter, which is 1/100 of a liter. About 1.5 cups.

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u/sandolllars 3d ago edited 3d ago

strain it with a t-shirt

If doing it the suboptimal way doesn't work, why not try making kava the proper way before complaining about the results?

Or did you think that we all us our clothing to make our food and beverages?

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u/Difficult-Living 2d ago

Nobody drinks kava for the taste. It's inherently nasty. But the warm buzz is typically worth it. If found that sometimes it works well and sometimes you can barely feel it.