It's a long story. When I first started drinking kava I would just drink with water. Then I noticed that if I drank milk in the morning I would get a massive kava rush. The next morning! So I started putting milk directly into the kava and boom, it makes a massive difference for me. I suppose everyone is different though. I find it makes a difference to medium grind when I am blending and also to instant. If I blend without milk and add it after the results are less impressive than if I blend with the milk. So I always just put about 1/5th to 1/4 milk in my water. You have to try it both ways for yourself and see if it works for you.