big batches vs small batches

[24601]

I'm just wondering whether people make big batches of kava and drink it all. Is that the way most people do it? Like a large amount of powder, a lot of water, and then you have one large batch you drink from all night?

My routine is to put 1/8 of a cup (not quite 2 tbsps, underheaping) of powder in a stocking, massage it in 1 and 1/3 cups cold water until it doesn't feel oily any more (usually 5-10 minutes depending on the strain), pour that into a 591 ml water bottle (fills it about halfway), then I put the bottle in the fridge while I prepare a second bottle exactly the same way. Once I have two bottles done, I'll drink them both, and if I want to make a third one after that, I do it on the spot, and drink it when I'm done.

So I'm getting in about 5-6 tablespoons a night, and that's usually more than enough - I wonder what the difference would be if I tried to prepare 6 tablespoons in 3 or 4 cups of water. I don't have a blender, or very large hands, I can't imagine massaging that much powder. How do people who make big batches do it?

 

[F3TU5]

I prefer making big batches and making them a little bit on the weaker side if I know I'm gonna go drink with friends. Usually play beer pong all night with them and take a shot of kava for every cup a friend makes. If I drank a stong shell then I'd be to lit for the night or if I'm drinking nene then I'm head town on the table for a minute. Nene makes me the anti-life of the party.

 

[24601]

I just tried a quarter of a cup of powder in 2 cups of water. It tasted a bit watery, but the effects aren't bad. I don't drink with friends, only alone, when I need to relax in the afternoon or evening.

I had not quite a serving of powder left so I added it to my 1/4 cup after the first wash and did a second wash like that. I'm about to drink it, so we'll see how it is.

 

[F3TU5]

How did it treat ya?

 

[24601]

It was pleasant, maybe not as strong as my previous method, but a good result.

 

[Mr. Kava]

Ive settled into this routine:

1/2 cup kava powder
(usually 50/50 fiji waka/lawena)
with 3 cups water.

After 2x straining yield is around 2.5-2.75cup

I drink all of the grog myself in about 60-90min time( my friends arent into kava ;-(

Effects are moderate to heavy krunk.

 

[nabanga]

Mixing a bigger batch works fine - I mix about 6-8 tblspn to 1.2 litres which does me for the evening. I've never used a blender.
The limiting factor for me is having too much powder in the stocking, which makes it harder to massage consistently. So if I needed to mix over 2 litres I'd do it in 2 batches.

 

[Edward]

I would definitely invest in a blender. I'm still playing around with amounts but generally I'll use between 3 and 6 tbps to 2 cups water (amount of powder depends on the kava, time available and my mood). I blend it up and strain through a stocking, takes minutes. Depending on how strong the mix is I may have 1/2 cup shells until it's gone or 2/3 or 3/4 depending again on the mix. I like to get the kava in quick and then ride it out rather than keep downing smaller/weaker shells.

 

[blindy107]

I love the blender too. I also use a protein shaker and metal ball most often. 2 cups hot tap water in shaker with ~8tbsp of root. Shake shake shake! Pour into strainer bag and then squeeze water out. Pour root back into shaker with another 2 cups water and repeat. Sometimes a 3rd wash is needed. I end up with a nice carafe full of grog for the next two days of use.

 

[sɥɐʞɐs]

To me, 2 Tbsp is harder to knead... 6-10 Tbsp feels good...2-3 cups of water.
What I seem to notice is that when I make a batch for 2 people, the resulting beverage feels stronger despite using the same ratio of root:water when I double it.

 

[24601]

Does blending it break down the root and allow more of the sediment through? Or does it just extract the oils you would extract through kneading faster?

 

[Squanch72]

Blending doesn't let more sediment though. I use the blender for 10 tablespoons and up jugs 8 cups and traditional prep for smaller amounts like half jugs. Too much root is a devil to work with.

 

[Edward]

I'll second that, I don't think the sediment is worse due to blending, it's down to straining. I get very little sediment straining with a nylon stocking.

 

[24601]

So do you blend up the mixture and pour it into the stocking, and then whatever you can squeeze out of the stocking is what you get? I just dug up an old blender and might give it a try next time, already have today's kava mixed up.

 

[Edward]

Yes, that's what I have been doing recently. I used to use a tea strainer which let loads through. Since I have been using the stockings I find that I need to use more powder to get a stronger brew but that it affects my stomach hardly at all so I can go a bit further with my sessions without getting an upset stomach. Also straining with the tea strainer took ages, putting it in a stocking and squeezing takes a matter of a few minutes. I have some proper kava strainers coming soon so I will be using those, I don't know if they will be better or worse but I'll let you know.

 

[24601]

Thanks. The only part that worries me is using more powder - I wonder if squeezing it into a bowl and then massaging what is left in the stocking in the liquid would make the brew stronger?

 

[HeadHodge]

Thanks. The only part that worries me is using more powder - I wonder if squeezing it into a bowl and then massaging what is left in the stocking in the liquid would make the brew stronger?

I haven't read this whole thread yet. But you might try doing a second maybe even a third wash. It's where you take your stocking and squish and squeesze it in a little bit of fresh water. It helps to clean the kavatones that are stuck to the stocking. Then take the results and combine with your grog. I do this with just a little bit of water so as not to dilute the grog too much. I truly believe the results are worth the effort.

 

[Edward]

I have never done a second wash but I may consider doing this.

@Schmedward it's not the blending that dulls it, it's the straining more than I used to so if you've been straining pretty well already you probably won't notice much difference switching to a blender other than it's quicker and easier.

That could be worth a try actually, 4 to 8 tbsps. depending on the kava, blend with 2 cups of water, wash the stocking in another cup of water and end up with 3 cups of good kava. I'd be tempted to use nearer the 8 tbsps. or you'd be diluting it a bit too much for my liking.

Edit: Or maybe just use 1 cup or 1 1/2 cups water in the blender and 1 cup to rinse?

 

[Squanch72]

If you are using the blender CTAHR method you are sort of already doing a second and third wash since you put the full amount of root in the blender then 1/3rd the total amount of water. Do a blend then pour that in your strainer bag/bowl. Strain out the juice then put the pulp back in the blender with another 1/3rd of the root, and repeat the process. I use a plastic chip bag clip to pinch my nut milk bag strainer to the side of my bowl to stay in place while pouring the grog out of the blender to be strained. I go overboard and still do a small second and third hand wash but the root is plenty strong from the CTAHR method without needing the extra steps I take. With the CTAHR method the only squeezing you have to do is the strain, no kneading needed. Might save your hands some misery. I also bought the el cheapo set of liquid strainers at Walmart for dumping the finished nut milk bag strained grog into the holding containers I use. I always get some root pieces in my grog during prep so a final pass through a liquid strainer works great for me.
http://kavaforums.com/forum/threads/ctahr-extraction-method.5686/page-2#post-70389

 

[HeadHodge]

If you are using the blender CTAHR method you are sort of already doing a second and third wash since you put the full amount of root in the blender then 1/3rd the total amount of water. Do a blend then pour that in your strainer bag/bowl. Strain out the juice then put the pulp back in the blender with another 1/3rd of the root, and repeat the process. I use a plastic chip bag clip to pinch my nut milk bag strainer to the side of my bowl to stay in place while pouring the grog out of the blender to be strained. I go overboard and still do a small second and third hand wash but the root is plenty strong from the CTAHR method without needing the extra steps I take. With the CTAHR method the only squeezing you have to do is the strain, no kneading needed. Might save your hands some misery. I also bought the el cheapo set of liquid strainers at Walmart for dumping the finished nut milk bag strained grog into the holding containers I use. I always get some root pieces in my grog during prep so a final pass through a liquid strainer works great for me.
http://kavaforums.com/forum/threads/ctahr-extraction-method.5686/page-2#post-70389
View attachment 4350

Can I make a 'Kava Prep' thread with your info?