Hello Guys

[Brewer]

Hello Guys I'm a busy guy. I work 60 hours as a wrecker driver and I'm a father of two girls. one a newborn the other is almost two. I became interested in trying kava when I heard the effects are similar to alcohol. While I have been looking for a alternative to alcohol in still love craft beer and used to brew it but now have no time to do so. I recieved my Koniak Kava Powder in the mail yesterday so I took 3 spoonfuls and put it in a nylon straining bag. I was multitasking at the time so I quickly poured warm water over the bag in a bowl. thin set it in the watter with one good kneading of the bag. I came back 10 minutes later and kneaded it some more and rang out what was left in the bag. I gulped it down and I don't think i felt anything but tired but Im always tired anyway. I understand the reverse tolerance thing so im not expecting to feel anything the first dozen times. Do you think my method needs more kneading? I'm thinking I'm going to buy a blender for faster preps

 

[verticity]

You need to actually continuously knead for 10 minutes or so to get all the good stuff out. You also don't say what size spoonfuls: 3 teaspoons would not be enough, but tablespoons might be depending how much water you use. Lately I have been using 1/3 cup (or approx 6 tablespoons) of kava per 4 cups of hot water, to make 4 1 cup servings. Others use more or less kava or water but that's the ballpark to make a potent drink.

 

[Brewer]

Thanks verticity I been using the regular spoon you eat with everyday with a good mound on top. i did the same thing tonight with more kneading and I'm feeling a mild buzz

 

[Steve Mariotti]

You need to actually continuously knead for 10 minutes or so to get all the good stuff out. You also don't say what size spoonfuls: 3 teaspoons would not be enough, but tablespoons might be depending how much water you use. Lately I have been using 1/3 cup (or approx 6 tablespoons) of kava per 4 cups of hot water, to make 4 1 cup servings. Others use more or less kava or water but that's the ballpark to make a potent drink.

I use 2 heaping Tbsp. to 2 cups of water if it's a strong kava for a night's session. And I do mean heaping. Like basically everything I can put on the spoon without a landslide forming on any side of it.

The most important factor is, as @verticity pointed out, is putting serious pressure on it while it's in the straining bag. You're squeezing the oily/waxy kavalactones out of the their little woody homes, and that requires pressure. I knead for 10-15 minutes with lots of wringing with all my strength to get as much out as I can.

After the elbow grease, you'll have extracted plenty.

 

[Steve Mariotti]

Also! Welcome to the Kava Forums, @Brewer!

You've come to the right place, and I think your head is in the right space for experiencing the best that kava has to offer.