Kava Physiology Burning through medium grind

[Jonathan]

So, I have an issue... I'm past RT, well and truly, but I've been burning through medium grind like a mofo. I'm not sure if it's my straining method (cotton cloth), or the fact that I usually only do two washes, or whether I'm used to any particular cultivar. I just went though a pound of KWK Loa Waka in just over three days. It came in on Thursday, and I ran out earlier today.

Has anyone else had this experience? I'm wondering if maybe I used a looser weave strainer, perhaps it would be more effective?

The weird part is, a half pound of micronized will last me almost two weeks, whereas I've repeatedly gone through medium grind really quick. The last time I got a half pound of KWK Pouni Ono medium grind, I went through it in just under two days...

I feel like I'm doing it wrong... perhaps if I got an aluball (been seeing good reviews of that lately), I would get more out of it... going to continue getting micronized for now just because it lasts longer for me...

Any corroborating anecdotal evidence would be appreciated.

 

[sɥɐʞɐs]

Cotton cloth is probably the culprit. Especially if it's t-shirt thickness. Gotta use nylons, or paint strainer bags, or other bags that get recommended around here. I burn through it too, but that's because my body requires high doses to really feel it. If 1/2 lb micro lasts you almost 2 weeks then a pound of medium grind should last you roughly the same amount of time.

 

[Jonathan]

Cotton cloth is probably the culprit. Especially if it's t-shirt thickness. Gotta use nylons, or paint strainer bags, or other bags that get recommended around here. I burn through it too, but that's because my body requires high doses to really feel it. If 1/2 lb micro lasts you almost 2 weeks then a pound of medium grind should last you roughly the same amount of time.

It is exactly that, actually, it's a torn off section of an old (but clean) white t-shirt.

Thanks for the reply. I'll look into some of the bags that are recommended here... I did once and came to the conclusion that like a 100 micron would work well for me, but then never went through with ordering it...

Onward to being more economical with my kava!

 

[verticity]

You can just get some knee high stockings. They are cheap, and work the best in my opinion. I think @shakas is correct; a cotton t-shirt will just not be porous enough. Or, if you order from Cactus Kava, he sends you a really nice 80 micron bag with your order.

 

[Squanch72]

Why not try an Aluball? It seems to keep the amount I use in check while still fitting enough root in it to satisfy me.

 

[Zac Imiola (Herbalist)]

I agree with the alu ball and also getting a nice 100 micron paint strainer or so.... i find the fijians with too small of microns allways just pushs the kava up to the top of the bag when kneading it...

 

[birdman]

Aluball !!!

 

[dino9832]

Hey, some people like to prepare kava the old school way. But! The Aluball is like THE way to test your prep.
Take the leftover root from a conventional prep, and run it thru the Aluball. If you get some potent grog, then you know your traditional prep method isn't extracting all the goodness.

 

[verticity]

I agree with the alu ball and also getting a nice 100 micron paint strainer or so.... i find the fijians with too small of microns allways just pushs the kava up to the top of the bag when kneading it...

I think paint strainers have much larger holes than 100 microns, something like 600 microns I think. A nut milk bag would be about 100 (some are 300 though)

 

[Groggy]

I tried the traditional prep method, but prefer to toss it all in the blender for a couple minutes, then I use this wonderful stainless strainer I picked up on Amazon, I think any adequate metal strainer would be a good addition, just make sure it's extra fine.

And BTW, I go through about a pound of med grind a week, but to me it is worth every penny..

 

[Ryanakamal]

wow the pieces of the puzzle just came together. at the end of my r.t i switched from a piece of t shirt to a nylon sock. also decided that that is the only use for nylon socks unless i develop a sweaty feet fetish

 

[verticity]

wow the pieces of the puzzle just came together. at the end of my r.t i switched from a piece of t shirt to a nylon sock. also decided that that is the only use for nylon socks unless i develop a sweaty feet fetish

Um... you mean nylon women's stockings like this, right?
Amazon product
Not men's nylon socks like this:
Amazon product
Right?
The men's socks I would not expect to work very well for straining.

 

[Ryanakamal]

well i cant compare them but they are quite thin and keep the plant parts in and the grog in the grog. the stocking i tried let more root trough so i use this.

 

[verticity]

well i cant compare them but they are quite thin and keep the plant parts in and the grog in the grog. the stocking i tried let more root trough so i use this.

OK, well if it works well that's cool. I actually use two layers of stockings for that same reason: to keep the makas out of the grog.

 

[Kojo Douglas]

So many people selling good Kava bags out there, why not just buy one of them?

 

[Kojo Douglas]

And yes, the Alu Ball is fantastic!

 

[verticity]

So many people selling good Kava bags out there, why not just buy one of them?

Because...nylon stockings are satisfyingly squishy (elastic) when I knead them. Nut milk bags, etc, are not.

 

[Ryanakamal]

So many people selling good Kava bags out there, why not just buy one of them?

on the to buy list! as is the aluball but for now a crusty sock and some fine fine squanch kava are good for me