Had the first-time opportunity to drink Kava Time kava as of last night. How interesting it is that the kava retains the brick shape after you've broken the vacuum seal. That means it's quite laden with kavalactones holding it together. It takes a good bit of effort to get it all broken down back into normal loose kava. Not a big deal because I dispense it by weight instead of volume.
Grind: A mixture of fine to medium coarse. It has a few larger pieces, but you cannot feel them when kneading.
Prep: I did my normal prep routine. 40 grams of kava with 400ml of heated water (120°F, microwaved in Pyrex measuring cup for 1:20). You can instantly feel the quality of this kava once you begin the first knead. When a kava feels similar to kneading a bag of clay, you know you're in for a treat.
Taste: It's reminiscent of old time Vanuatu kavas. Peppery, with that bitter, almost rubber flavor that always underscores a good kava from Vanuatu. It's strong, but not overwhelming and the taste disappears pretty quickly. I didn't have issues with lingering unpleasant flavors.
Viscosity / Mouthfeel: On a 10:1 ratio batch you're getting the "whole milk" tier of kavas. It's thick, but it's potent. I found that using my Bula Kava House strainer kept all small particles from getting through so absolutely no grit on this batch.
Color: Your standard Vanuatu beige. Not dark and not too light. It's just right really. They should seriously name that a color. Someone call Pantone down here.
Effects: Yep. It's a keeper. I knew when I opened the bag that I was in for a ride. It knocks you around with that kavain kick at the forefront, and eases you into relaxation further in. Granted my "sampling" time is about 1/2 an hour, but by that point the sedative effects were already beginning to kick in. Wasn't as heavy as other Vanuatu kavas, but honestly sometimes you don't need that heavy sedation. I'd go as far as to say it's a balanced kava. A kava I would be very happy to sit with at the end of a long work day. Good for social settings too like a group of friends.
Quality: Probably one of the highest quality root powders that I've tried. Again upon opening the bag you can immediately tell it's a good quality root.
Kava time is a "hands on" vendor. A vendor working to improve the industry from the inside with today's technology. Just as this vendor's products are noble, so are his aspirations.
Keep up the amazing work. Personally I think I'm going to keep at least a LB of kava time's kava in my pantry.
Grind: A mixture of fine to medium coarse. It has a few larger pieces, but you cannot feel them when kneading.
Prep: I did my normal prep routine. 40 grams of kava with 400ml of heated water (120°F, microwaved in Pyrex measuring cup for 1:20). You can instantly feel the quality of this kava once you begin the first knead. When a kava feels similar to kneading a bag of clay, you know you're in for a treat.
Taste: It's reminiscent of old time Vanuatu kavas. Peppery, with that bitter, almost rubber flavor that always underscores a good kava from Vanuatu. It's strong, but not overwhelming and the taste disappears pretty quickly. I didn't have issues with lingering unpleasant flavors.
Viscosity / Mouthfeel: On a 10:1 ratio batch you're getting the "whole milk" tier of kavas. It's thick, but it's potent. I found that using my Bula Kava House strainer kept all small particles from getting through so absolutely no grit on this batch.
Color: Your standard Vanuatu beige. Not dark and not too light. It's just right really. They should seriously name that a color. Someone call Pantone down here.
Effects: Yep. It's a keeper. I knew when I opened the bag that I was in for a ride. It knocks you around with that kavain kick at the forefront, and eases you into relaxation further in. Granted my "sampling" time is about 1/2 an hour, but by that point the sedative effects were already beginning to kick in. Wasn't as heavy as other Vanuatu kavas, but honestly sometimes you don't need that heavy sedation. I'd go as far as to say it's a balanced kava. A kava I would be very happy to sit with at the end of a long work day. Good for social settings too like a group of friends.
Quality: Probably one of the highest quality root powders that I've tried. Again upon opening the bag you can immediately tell it's a good quality root.
Kava time is a "hands on" vendor. A vendor working to improve the industry from the inside with today's technology. Just as this vendor's products are noble, so are his aspirations.
Keep up the amazing work. Personally I think I'm going to keep at least a LB of kava time's kava in my pantry.
