A question for green kava experts here

[kasa_balavu]

I'm not sure if you are serious with your comment about "convenience factor." As far as I can tell they just put instant kava in packages so you don't need to use a spoon.

You don't think that provides an improvement in convenience?
The market seems to think so because just about everything that can be drunk on the go is now available in stick packs.

 

[verticity]

...
How does the current available instants compare against micronised? aside from the texture difference i.e. Does it taste completely different? Feels more potent?

I have tried the instant from Gourmet Hawaiian Kava and Bula Kava House. The GHK instant was potent and tasted like normal kava. However, it is too expensive for regular use, and the GHK micronized seemed more potent. However, my stomach can't tolerate micronized, so the instant was better in that it did not upset my stomach. The BKH instant was OK, but seemed less potent. It tasted milder but still like kava. The expense factor was even less favorable than the GHK instant.

 

[verticity]

Oh, and I should mention the kava dot com "instant kava" which tasted and looked nothing like kava and had no kava-like effects at all... I have no idea what that stuff was... maybe rice powder or something

 

[verticity]

You don't think that provides an improvement in convenience?
The market seems to think so because just about everything that can be drunk on the go is now available in stick packs.

True. People are lazy.

 

[kasa_balavu]

How does the current available instants compare against micronised? aside from the texture difference i.e. Does it taste completely different? Feels more potent?

Time to do some shopping!

 

[Kava Time]

I think Taki Mai has actually consulted lawyers in America and decided that their servings cannot have more than a certain amount of kavalactones. From what I understand they use standard, dehydrated instant inside their "shots". Zane calls it "dried resin" (or something like that). When I asked him if I could get some of this "resin" he said "nah, it's too strong". Their micro is OK, but not spectacular as they just pulverise the whole root.
For some weird reason they've decided not to sell traditional kava. When I asked Zane about it he said it was because of hygienic issues, but I am not convinced..

Thats weird. Why wont they produce traditional if they make micros? It doesnt make any difference in processing.

I think that they dont want to risk any competitor getting access to the instant and making their own branded shots. Or it maybe in short supply.

 

[verticity]

Thats weird. Why wont they produce traditional if they make micros? It doesnt make any difference in processing.

I think that they dont want to risk any competitor getting access to the instant and making their own branded shots. Or it maybe in short supply.

They can sell micronized and instant for a lot more money than traditional powder because they are "adding value".

 

[TheKavaSociety]

Thats weird. Why wont they produce traditional if they make micros? It doesnt make any difference in processing.

I think that they dont want to risk any competitor getting access to the instant and making their own branded shots. Or it maybe in short supply.

I think he meant that traditional prep is potentially unhealthy (in Fiji) because of poor hygiene.

But yea, i am not sure how much real value he adds to his micro if he doesnt filter anything out. I suppose he is one of the few people in Fiji capable of micronising kava so he has an advantage over the other companies/exporters ?

 

[Kava Time]

I think he meant that traditional prep is potentially unhealthy (in Fiji) because of poor hygiene.

But yea, i am not sure how much real value he adds to his micro if he doesnt filter anything out. I suppose he is one of the few people in Fiji capable of micronising kava so he has an advantage over the other companies/exporters ?

Oh you mean in terms of preping the kava. I think Taki Mai is more focussed in providing products which are convenient and easy to use for people. Not sure why they don't remove the makas. Maybe Zane really hasnt heard of people having issues with fine grinded makas being consumed? I dont think they are the only company in Fiji with a microniser. Lami kava must have it also. Other exporters just dont go into providing that level of value added products or they would have been active on the forums here. Everyone is content with the markets they are supplying to it seems.