Informal Nene Review

[Steve Mariotti]

So tonight I cracked open the Nene I got last week. After enjoying Moi so much last night, I figured it'd be cool to try the Nene tonight.

Same prep method. Half a cup of Nene medium grind to 3 cups of water.

After downing 4 shells in an hour and a half, I thought I'd write my observations.

Observations:

• Tasty! Very tasty. I would bring this out for those I've conned into trying kava to make the introduction less unpleasant for them.
• Lots of mouth numbing. Moreso than most kava I've tried.
• Mild effects. Definitely not feeling as rocked as I did with the M'oi.
• At about 15 minute after my first shell, I became aware of my scalp. Felt a little tingly and warm. Running my fingers through my hair felt really good.
• Less head-swimmy feeling than the M'oi.
• A sense of excitement in my chest. Like a quickening feeling but nothing too strong as to be uncomfortable.
• General sense of benign interest in things. Sorted out some complicated computer DLNA streaming renderer issues with my Logitech Squeezebox Radio so I could stream from various programs on my computer into my internet connected radio. Very clear headed.
• Enjoying music a lot.
• General sense of feeling centered and in control.

No poetry tonight. Definitely not feeling as giddy. I think Nene would be a great daytime kava. Very relaxing without being overpowering and very mild and pleasant.

Going back for a shell or two before bed.

 

[Steve Mariotti]

Aaaaand here's the morning after report.

I have a super sensitive stomach. I've battled IBS on and off as an adult. So here's the gut report on Nene.

Definitely more gut effect than with the M'oi or with Borongoru from Kalm. I had the midnight gurglies and woke up at 3am with some churning and some nausea. And some gas. Not horrible, but it was definitely there. Before I moved to a 80 micron nut milk bag for straining, I was having gut-induced insomnia on a couple of occasions. This was a more muted variety.

I can say that the head effects to gut effects ratio on the Nene was lower than the M'oi and lower than the Borongoru (meaning less headiness and more guttiness).

Now that I've had the full experience, I'd say that Nene for me is one that I can have one or two shells of during the day and but stopping short of the three or four shell experience. For when I want to zero out some anxiety without going on Mr. Toad's Wild Ride.

 

[Steve Mariotti]

Got an order for some Mahakea and some Hanakapi Ai on the way, so hopefully next weekend I'll try those out and post a non-review review or two.

 

[Deleted User01]

Nice review there Steve. If you ever get a chance, try the Nene Instant and report back with a "gut check". I'm curious as to how that would sit with your stomach. Because there is almost no taste and little color, the micronized and instant are perfect for making any kind of Kava Kocktail you desire. I highly recommend Nene Instant for Newbies. It's not a bad kava for taking your wife to Walmart. Just the right amount of sedation but you can still drive with a clear head.

 

[blindy107]

Thanks!

What's keeping you from making them "formal" reviews? We have a premade form to fill out and everything!

Great review either way though!

 

[Steve Mariotti]

Thanks man!

I just don't feel like I have the breadth of experience with kava to offer "official" reviews. I mean, a couple instants, some concentrates, Kalm Borongoru, and Moi and Nene. That's it. Oh, and some no-name Fijian I found at an indian grocery locally. THAT'S it. I'll get there eventually. In fact, I have some more GHK on the way (Hanakapi'Ai and Mahakea) so I'll be posting this weekend since I understand those are a heavier shade of Hawaiian.

 

[blindy107]

I used to drink indian store Fijian also! Can't find it lately though...