I'm new to kava and I was hoping to get some advice on preparation. I just picked up the sampler pack of medium grind from KwK. I have used the blender method twice and got slightly different results. I'm trying to do whatever is easiest and strongest...while annoyingly loud, the blender seems easier than kneading the bag for a long time.
First time I did (4) Tbsp borogu and 12oz of ~115F water. After blending for several minutes (2 min blend, 1 min rest, repeat 3x), I put it in the strainer bag and wrung it out by hand. The kava inside seemed pretty dry/crumbly afterward. The resulting brew made my mouth slightly numb and a little relaxed.
Next time I did (8) Tbsp loa waka and 24oz of ~115F water (same method/ratio). It seemed much more difficult to strain, although the amounts of liquid I collected were similar (~8 oz, ~16 oz). It also had a similar effect (slightly numb mouth, mild anxiolytic). The remaining kava seemed soupy or like mud. Did it somehow get starchy? I was concerned that maybe I am getting it too warm and turning it starchy.
Reading on forums I get confused about "washes." Are people running water through the same kava multiple times to get all the kavalactones out?
Also, is there any tell-tale sign I've done a good job extracting the kava? I do get a very slight mouth numbing but nothing extreme. I've also heard of brew being "oily" but haven't seen that.
Thanks for any help!
First time I did (4) Tbsp borogu and 12oz of ~115F water. After blending for several minutes (2 min blend, 1 min rest, repeat 3x), I put it in the strainer bag and wrung it out by hand. The kava inside seemed pretty dry/crumbly afterward. The resulting brew made my mouth slightly numb and a little relaxed.
Next time I did (8) Tbsp loa waka and 24oz of ~115F water (same method/ratio). It seemed much more difficult to strain, although the amounts of liquid I collected were similar (~8 oz, ~16 oz). It also had a similar effect (slightly numb mouth, mild anxiolytic). The remaining kava seemed soupy or like mud. Did it somehow get starchy? I was concerned that maybe I am getting it too warm and turning it starchy.
Reading on forums I get confused about "washes." Are people running water through the same kava multiple times to get all the kavalactones out?
Also, is there any tell-tale sign I've done a good job extracting the kava? I do get a very slight mouth numbing but nothing extreme. I've also heard of brew being "oily" but haven't seen that.
Thanks for any help!