Dried Kava Root Questions (and research)

[Winterfr3sh]

Hi there. My wife and I are kava newbies and plan to be light consumers of kava (no more than 3x per week). We'll be purchasing a relatively small amount of Kava ($100 or less) to consume in 3+ months. I found two vendors who sell whole dried roots and began to wonder if their potency is more intact than that of pre-ground root powder. We are aware that chewing dried root provides a mild pleasant and heady effect. Our idea is to chew the roots until softened, put them through a KitchenAid mixer meat grinder attachment, then prepare the resulting makas the traditional way.
Here are some questions:

1. Can anyone speak to the potency/cost efficiency of using dried whole root?
2. Is it safe to chew dry root and ingest some of the juice?
3. Would the meat grinder actually work, and would it work best with pre-chewed roots or just dry roots? (picture at bottom)
4. Would the sticky KL's get stuck in the meat grinder permanently?

If anyone has experience whatsoever with dried root, I'd be happy to hear anything!
Winterfr3sh

Here's a chart of the research I've found on these forums so far.

Question	Answer	Link	Date
Can I chew dry Kava root, or only fresh root?	“You can chew both fresh and dried Kava root" (Alia, McKnunkface).	https://kavaforums.com/forum/threads/chewing-root.16398/#post-177915	12/23/2019
What effects result from chewing dry roots?	“Pleasant, relaxing, not too sedating” (Jerome). “Mouth numbing” (various). “Short-lived, heady effects” (source) Subtle (Blue Roads). “Stimulating, hyper alert” (Palmetto). “Fast-acting” (Jerome).	https://kavaforums.com/forum/threads/nice-roots.14981/page-3#post-172483 , https://kavaforums.com/forum/threads/waka-root-from-fiji-fresh.15618/#post-172403	5/20/19
How does chewing fresh (or dry) root deliver maximum effects?	“It delivers maximum effects by small amounts of kava-infused saliva being swallowed” (Nabanga).	https://kavaforums.com/forum/threads/can-you-chew-kava-and-absorb-the-lactones-through-the-oral-mucosa.19274/	2/2/22
What happens to the dry root when I chew it?	“Let the saliva moisten them and they will slowly turn to mush” (Zaphod). “You wind up with a ball of ‘makas’ in your mouth when the softer tissue is gone” (Jerome).	https://kavaforums.com/forum/threads/chewing-root.16398/#post-177915	2/4/2020
Is it safe to chew dry root and ingest some of the particles?	Yes?
Is chewing roots more efficient method of kavalactone extraction?	“I'm quite sure that chewing roots is a much more efficient way of extracting kavalactones than any other method. I can't imagine how krunked I would feel chewing three tablespoons worth of dry root” (The Kavasseur). “Of course, you can also try chewing the roots. I think that is the most efficient way to dissolve the lactones since they're very soluble in saliva” (FijiFreshKava).	https://kavaforums.com/forum/threads/nice-roots.14981/page-2 ; https://kavaforums.com/forum/threads/waka-root-from-fiji-fresh.15618/#post-172403	10/29/2018
Can I chew dried kava root and then grind it up to make a more potent brew than pre-ground powder?	“Our ground powder is more potent than dried root” (FijiFreshKava)?
Why don’t more people talk about chewing dry kava root?	“It’s not something most people would want very often” (McKnunkface).	https://kavaforums.com/forum/threads/chewing-the-ground-cut-root.15795/#post-172721	5/21/2019
How will dried kava root affect my grinder?	“A LOT of the incredibly sticky kavalactones get stuck on the wall of your preparation vessels” (Sakash). “Also expect permanent yellow stains of solid KL’s that won’t come off with boiling water or alcohol” (Kastom_lif).	https://kavaforums.com/forum/threads/nice-roots.14981/	10/27/2018
Should I use a food processor, coffee grinder, juicer or blender?	“One thing i learned the hard way... use a food processor, that you never want to use for anything else, and not a blender” (Headhodge). “My best results grinding that kava was with a juicer, came out the other end looking like real medium grind! My Juicer is extremely powerful, I don't recommend using any non professional grade device, it's likely to burnout the motor” (Krunky).	https://kavaforums.com/forum/threads/nice-roots.14981/ ; https://kavaforums.com/forum/threads/whole-roots-very-pleased-thank-you-fiji-fresh-kava.17754/#post-187034	10/27/2018
Can I use a meat grinder?
How does wet root compare to dry root by weight?	“Remember that it takes 5 pounds of wet root to make 1 pound of dry root so if you have 1 pound of fresh root it is like having 1/5th pound of dry root” (Gourmet Hawaiian Kava).	Fresh Hawaiian?! Update: My Fresh kava has received a shipping label an is about to ship!! kavaforums.com	2/11/2019
Example of Root Prep (kavakarma)	Used a machine grinder with sharp blades. Larger chunks were chopped with a knife. More interesting details included.	https://kavaforums.com/forum/threads/whole-roots-very-pleased-thank-you-fiji-fresh-kava.17754/#post-187034	12/15/2020
FijiFreshKava’s dry root prep (pics included)	“1) Use garden pruning scissors to make small pieces. 2) Add to a coffee/spice grinder (the kind with a small spinning blade at the bottom). Blend and shake for about 30-60s until the grind sounds smooth. 3) Then do your prep as normal” (FijiFreshKava).	Nice roots! Is there a resource I could consult on how to grind these roots up? kavaforums.com	11/5/2018

 

[Groggy]

We'll be purchasing a relatively small amount of Kava ($100 or less) to consume in 3+ months.

That's not realistic for 2 people, 3 times a week, regardless if whole or medium grind. I think you are over complicating something rather simple. Chewing roots won't really get you the same benefits as drinking medium grind. Masticating dry roots is not the same as the traditional way in the islands because they use fresh kava. It would work if the kava was fresh.

I would scrap that idea, save up a bit of money and buy bulk. Fiji Vanua kava is a large distributor and has 10 lbs options but you can also talk to the owner to figure something out, his name is Tesh and he is a super reasonable guy. Maybe he can give you guys some dried root and mostly medium grind. His bulk deals are in the $500 range, with free shipping (which is huge!)

There are other vendors that sell bulk, like KWK, you have lots of options.


2. Is it safe to chew dry root and ingest some of the juice?
Yes, avoid swallowing the root itself. It won't kill you but it will give you a stomach ache.

3. Would the meat grinder actually work, and would it work best with pre-chewed roots or just dry roots? (picture at bottom)
No

4. Would the sticky KL's get stuck in the meat grinder permanently?
Maybe.

 

[Winterfr3sh]

Thanks for your very helpful feedback, Krunky!! I really appreciate it. I sometimes get carried away with research and overcomplicating things, almost like tunnel vision. Thanks helping me think a little more broadly and objectively. If my wife approves, I'll talk to Tesh about a bulk option as you suggested.

 

[Groggy]

Thanks for your very helpful feedback, Krunky!! I really appreciate it. I sometimes get carried away with research and overcomplicating things, almost like tunnel vision. Thanks helping me think a little more broadly and objectively. If my wife approves, I'll talk to Tesh about a bulk option as you suggested.

Yeah I think he is your best bet and I can tell you his kava is excellent for the price point, I've tried them all but an excellent choice from him (and a solid price point $49.99 per pound + free shipping) is Old roots waka, heck, I am drinking it as I type this. It is a very potent kava at a great price point. It's potent and tastes fresh, which is always a plus.