Kava tastes most like.....

[blindy107]

So in my quest to bring you some more fine kava beverages for the namby pamby generation, or those of sophisticated palate, I am taking a census.

What does Kava taste most like to YOU? Does it resemble a certain spirit or food you have tried? Nevermind the usual "dirty shoe, muddy butthole" comparisons. I'm looking for another commonly consumed liquid or solid. Or not commonly but occasionally.

Give me your inputs!!

 

[The Kap'n]

I get rubber glove flavor quite often. Kava is just such a wonderful tasting plant.

 

[blindy107]

Haha most people don't consume rubber gloves but noted. Thanks kap!

I know there really is nothing like it that I have tried at least. But I am experimenting in the savory department lately and having decent results. I plan on continuing this and brining my finds to you all!

 

[Bula Kava House]

Many Chinese herbal teas have a similar, dirty, earthy taste.

 

[kavadude]

I described it as "grilled ass" once and was questioned on how I knew what grilled ass tasted like, to which I didn't really have an answer. Since I don't have anything useful to say I'll page head kava sommelier @Vekta to the thread.

 

[Beanie]

Earthy and peppery

 

[Sean D.]

In lieu of saying "tastes like dirt", "earthy" sounds a little better

 

[Stelth]

"Earthy and peppery"

I'd call that about right. Sort of peppery dirt. I haven't tasted horse shit, so I won't say it tastes like that, but it's possible.

 

[blindy107]

Hahah yes. Everytime I down a shell and say "whew that tastes like ass!" My fiancé questions me about ass consumption.

@Judd Rench good to know Judd. What are some typical flavors used with those teas? Any specific herbs or aromatics in particular?

Thanks guys, keep it up!

 

[sɥɐʞɐs]

I think bitter earth & dirt are always the base flavor...there are some varieties that have sharp astringent herbal tones, maybe those would be pepper & pine and the lightest kavas lean toward being creamy or buttery, while still being somewhat earthy.
Can't really think of anything commonly consumed that tastes similar.

 

[Prince Philip]

Depends on the cultivar and the preparation, doesn't it?

 

[blindy107]

Yeah Phil it seems to at times. I guess I meant just the standard water extraction. Hawaiian is for sure much lighter in flavor than those from Vanuatu in my experience.

As I said I've been playing the taste coverup game lately. I tried a batch with savory tones. I sweetened lightly with plum sauce whisked in. Then added some Chinese 5 spice. It was a totally different experience.

This branch of thought is in preparation for the fiancé to finish breast feeding our little monster. I'm hoping to help her ween off her scrips through use of the holy root.

Just having fun with my root!

 

[Vekta]

Oh it really depends. I've tasted so many different things in the variety of cultivars and kava products I've had. I tell you what...

I'll do a tasting of my bag of mojo and post it in here. For the kicks.

and here we go...
This particular blend of kava consists of Boroguru, borogu, Marang-marang and Hanakapi'ai
Smell (it's important)
I get a strong Grass and Earth presence to the nose followed a layer of Pepper and a backdrop of wood

Taste
This is a pretty interesting flavor. It's all over the place. I get a dominant Vegetable and Pine Bitters flavor in equal parts with Minerals as a secondary layer. Pepper making a strong showing in the after taste. The odd thing about this is the Mineral flavor starts to overpower the Vegetable and Pine Bitters flavor almost completely.

 

[Bula Kava House]

Hahah yes. Everytime I down a shell and say "whew that tastes like ass!" My fiancé questions me about ass consumption.

@Judd Rench good to know Judd. What are some typical flavors used with those teas? Any specific herbs or aromatics in particular?

Thanks guys, keep it up!

I couldn't tell you the constituents, but doctors who specialize in Chinese medicine will often prescribe and mix different herbs to address various ailments. They all kind of taste like varying dirt types... A lot like kava.

 

[kavadude]

One Chinese tea that comes to mind is pu'erh which is normal tea that is fermented underground for months to years and acquires an "earthy" taste.

Also while we diss on its flavor it's important to note this mostly applies to the dry powdered root. Fresh kava tastes okay.

 

[Bula Kava House]

One Chinese tea that comes to mind is pu'erh which is normal tea that is fermented underground for months to years and acquires an "earthy" taste.

Also while we diss on its flavor it's important to note this mostly applies to the dry powdered root. Fresh kava tastes okay.

Yes, pu'erh tastes a lot like the name sounds, lol.

And I agree regarding fresh root, much more pleasant. Adil from Paradise sent us some fresh frozen for a special event at the kava bar, and it tasted like wheatgrass. The fresh kava I've enjoyed in Vanuatu is a little more pungent but still better than dry root. I have no idea why Fijians don't drink more fresh root kava.

 

[The Kap'n]

Agree on the fresh kava. Wheatgrass mixed with green tea. Vegetal, and not overpowering. Nothing beats the taste of fresh kava....except more fresh kava.

 

[blindy107]

Good to know, thank you sirs. I have toyed with tea-like preparations but usually just in the form of sugar and honey and crappy sweet tea mixers.

I tried a roasted green tea matcha and kava combo last night. The slight bitterness from the tea really offset the stone from N@H. And that's a pretty gnarly flavored root.

It's called hojicha. Green tea leaves are roasted to a brown color and then either made into tea or made into matcha which is essentially like our micronized root. The hojicha is nice because the roasting adds a ton of flavor but removes caffeine for nighttime use!


@Judd Rench is that you diving in that pic? Looks amazing wherever you are.

 

[verticity]

Toothpaste and goat. Not goat meat, but like the whole goat.