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Cloth vs Nylon strainer bag?

Honolulusurfer88

Honolulusurfer88

Kava Curious
I've been straining my kava with a cloth nut-milk bag for several months now. However during this time, I've felt like my kava drinks were not as strong as they used to be. I used to just drink my kava without straining, so that's probably a big reason. But I started wondering if straining with something absorbing like cloth was partly responsible. Since kava is fat-soluble, sort of like coffee, I've started wondering if I'm losing some of the kavalactones to the cloth. Where as maybe if I used something non-absorbent like nylon, more of the kavalactones would end up in my drink. Sort of like using a paper coffee filter to catch the coffee oils, or using a steel filter that lets the oils drip into the drink.

I was wondering if anybody has experimented with this, or had an ideas whether there is any real significance to this? I will probably buy a nylon strainer soon, just to see, but I'm curious to hear any input, or just general tips on whether there are any "life hacks" so to speak that I could do to make my kava a bit stronger? Bula! :happy: ::frosty::
 
Groggy

Groggy

Kava aficionado
Admin
Honolulusurfer88 said:
I've been straining my kava with a cloth nut-milk bag for several months now. However during this time, I've felt like my kava drinks were not as strong as they used to be. I used to just drink my kava without straining, so that's probably a big reason. But I started wondering if straining with something absorbing like cloth was partly responsible. Since kava is fat-soluble, sort of like coffee, I've started wondering if I'm losing some of the kavalactones to the cloth. Where as maybe if I used something non-absorbent like nylon, more of the kavalactones would end up in my drink. Sort of like using a paper coffee filter to catch the coffee oils, or using a steel filter that lets the oils drip into the drink.

I was wondering if anybody has experimented with this, or had an ideas whether there is any real significance to this? I will probably buy a nylon strainer soon, just to see, but I'm curious to hear any input, or just general tips on whether there are any "life hacks" so to speak that I could do to make my kava a bit stronger? Bula! :happy: ::frosty::
Click to expand...
From my personal experience, I used both. In the beginning I used cloth strainers but they seemed more messy, not necessarily weaker. Last 9 or so months I have use a nylon mesh bag from kavafied, I have never looked back. I think it's much better and easier to clean.
 
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sɥɐʞɐs

sɥɐʞɐs

Avg. Dosage: 8 Tbsp. (58g)
Review Maestro
Strong nylon bags are the best, they resist the water more.

You may never reach the potency per tablespoon you got with the Toss-n-Wash method, but you can still get great effects with straining...plus, your skin and guts will thank you for it.

As for strainer related potency, this is dependent on the 'micron' size of your strainer, among other things.
Really small microns like 50-70 will make a very refined beverage but you will lose some potency. 100 micron (my fav.) is still a nice clean drink but will be a bit more potent. 150-200+ micron will be more potent, but depending on the size of the grind may not do a great job at straining much out. A chunkier grind would still work well with a larger micron strainer, the actual size of each particular kava's grind plays a role in which micron strainer will best for you. And obviously, each kava's overall KL% plays a large role in it's potency. Kneading in hot water also seems to add a little bit more strength.
 
Last edited:
Kojo Douglas

Kojo Douglas

The Kavasseur
Does anyone know how many microns are in the AluBall? I still get an amazing result from that. I do prefer nylon bags, the ones that Luna Kava used to sell, when doing traditional prep.
 
sɥɐʞɐs

sɥɐʞɐs

Avg. Dosage: 8 Tbsp. (58g)
Review Maestro
Kavasseur said:
Does anyone know how many microns are in the AluBall? I still get an amazing result from that. I do prefer nylon bags, the ones that Luna Kava used to sell, when doing traditional prep.
Click to expand...
I think AluBall is 80 μm
 
Groggy

Groggy

Kava aficionado
Admin
sɥɐʞɐs said:
Strong nylon bags are the best, they resist the water more.

You may never reach the potency per tablespoon you got with the Toss-n-Wash method, but you can still get great effects with straining...plus, your skin and guts will thank you for it.

As for strainer related potency, this is dependent on the 'micron' size of your strainer, among other things.
Really small microns like 50-70 will make a very refined beverage but you will lose some potency. 100 micron (my fav.) is still a nice clean drink but will be a bit more potent. 150-200+ micron will be more potent, but depending on the size of the grind may not do a great job at straining much out. A chunkier grind would still work well with a larger micron strainer, the actual size of each particular kava's grind plays a role in which micron strainer will best for you. And obviously, each kava's overall KL% plays a large role in it's potency. Kneading in hot water also seems to add a little bit more strength.
Click to expand...
I agree but you can get a strong brew with extra kneading, I use a 75 micron bag.
 
VictoryRider

VictoryRider

Kava Enthusiast
Here are the ones I use. 75 Microns, nylon mesh. Got them on Amazon, pretty cheap. VERY durable. Makes an
excellent grog -- nice and thick, not gritty. I haven't noticed any decrease in potency from the 100 micron
bags I used to use (from N@H).


nutmilk.jpg
 
VictoryRider

VictoryRider

Kava Enthusiast
Krunʞy said:
I like the kavafied one because it has a top section that's attached to the bag, it makes kneading easier.
Click to expand...
Like a handle of some sort?

The ones I bought have a draw string, but I can't imagine making THAT much grog at one time!!! The bags are pretty big.
 
FYS

FYS

Shell Shocked
I like the MeshBerry bags on Amazon, you can get them in 75, 100, or 200 micron. I got the 100 & 200 micron set and a "free" silicone cup that is pretty nice for under $10 shipped. The bags themselves are really nice and sturdy and they come with a lifetime warranty so they will replace them free of charge if they ever rip or tear. At least that is what they said. I haven't needed to replace any of mine yet.
 
Myk

Myk

Kava Enthusiast
Another one for Kavafied's bags , they rock for traditional. I find that if you can get a real fine grind and blend and gulp(blend with olive oil, it smooths out the edges) it makes the grog 2X as strong as any method that strains but it can cause nausea and with that comes dermo so if you go that route it's better to take breaks away from root for a little while. I've had great results double ballin' two aluballs at once, not violently of course but you don't have to pack them so full so you get great flow.
 
Zaphod

Zaphod

Kava Lover
I have been using my kavafied bag for 3-4 months now. It is really durable (I actually pound my root along with kneading) and the bag is still going strong. I give it a quick wash with dishsoap after every use so it doesn't get funky. However, I cut the top off of mine because I found it annoying and just use a rubber band at the top close up the bag.
 
Groggy

Groggy

Kava aficionado
Admin
Zaphod said:
I have been using my kavafied bag for 3-4 months now. It is really durable (I actually pound my root along with kneading) and the bag is still going strong. I give it a quick wash with dishsoap after every use so it doesn't get funky. However, I cut the top off of mine because I found it annoying and just use a rubber band at the top close up the bag.
Click to expand...
Interesting, I like the pan like material at the top, sort of like panning for gold, or in this case kava :D
 
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