Instant kava
- Thread starter BULABUCK
- Start date
P
pitshack
I agree with Vekta completely. Go with the one you enjoy the most. However, if price is an issue, I'd say give Kava Kuaui (aka realkava.com) a try. I like their instant just as much as BKH's instant.
kl.sakamoto
Kava Curious
I don't think Bula Kava House sells half-pounds or kilos; their online store lists just 50 and 100 grams for their Instant Green. Nakamal At Home sells half-pounds (but not kilos) of Instant Fire Island; the largest Instant Shaman they list online is 55 grams, in tins. Those are the ones I'm familiar with.
Since you mentioned package sizes, I imagine you actually care about other people's opinions, perhaps for purposes of splitting a large quantity purchase with people who may not have tried it before? Fwiw I love N@H Fire Island for stress reduction, but I never got much out of N@H Shaman. Not sure about BKH Instant Green, the first tin I got was pleasant but unremarkable, though I got the feeling I should get another tin and give it more time.
Ah, I must wax nostalgic for the old Kava King instant... I wonder what I'd think of it now. I read a rumor on chat that the company's back, but with different Kava. That was some great stuff, though, really lifted the emotions.
Since you mentioned package sizes, I imagine you actually care about other people's opinions, perhaps for purposes of splitting a large quantity purchase with people who may not have tried it before? Fwiw I love N@H Fire Island for stress reduction, but I never got much out of N@H Shaman. Not sure about BKH Instant Green, the first tin I got was pleasant but unremarkable, though I got the feeling I should get another tin and give it more time.
Ah, I must wax nostalgic for the old Kava King instant... I wonder what I'd think of it now. I read a rumor on chat that the company's back, but with different Kava. That was some great stuff, though, really lifted the emotions.
P
pitshack
VKS has instant in a big bag but its just average in my opinion. Not to mention it took them almost three weeks to get me my order.
krunkedout
Kava Lover
If you like the instant green from BKH, I'd give Judd a call and see if he could do a bulk sell or something
As for your Bilo question, I maintain that the best way to get a bilo is to make one yourself. I have posted this information somewhere else, but rather than search, I will retype the information, because doing so while drinking kava makes me happy.
I'm not giving advice here, just telling you how I do it. This method may maim you if you are not familiar with basic carpentry.
Step 1: Get a mature coconut. I'll leave that one up to you.
Step 2: Cut the coconut about 2/3rds of the way up, or if it has those annoying "pre-cuts" wherever those are. I use a dremel with a circular sander. If you take this route, be super careful, wear eye protection, and do it sober. You will probably break a blade unless you hands are much steadier than mine.
Step 3: Microwave the coconut halves for two minute intervals. They will hiss and smell amazing. After every two minutes carefully check and see if the coconut meat is falling out yet with a fork. It should peel away eventually. If the meat does not come out effortlessly, then back in the microwave it goes. If you have a strong microwave, you might want to use one minute intervals. Once the meat slips out then you can eat the coconut, feed it to your dog to give him a shiny coat, compost it, or something.
Step 4: Now you have an ugly shell in two pieces. I use a dremel to sand down the ridges, then a hand sander to polish the inside and out. You know, start with the coarse grade and work your way down.
Step 5: When it looks nice to you, here is an extra step to get a Bilo that stands.* Get some epoxy. If you are going to be putting your bilo in the dishwasher, take that into account. If you are going to be dipping it into your kava, take that into account. Don't poison yourself with epoxy choices. Sand the bottom of each top of your coconut halves, just a little, until you have a dime size or smaller flat piece of the bottom of each. If you sand to far and get a hole, you are done for and have to start over. Then epoxy the two halves together. The smaller piece will function as your "stand" and the top part will hold your Kava.
Step 6: Rub your coconut with as much food safe oil as it will absorb. I use what is called mineral oil in the USA. I hear walnut oil is fancy and smells nice. Just google "food safe wood cure" or something if you want to know all of your options.
And there you have it.
Now I have a decent amount of tools on hand being a country boy and a Tiki carver, but all you really need for this project is a hand saw and some sandpaper, if you are hardy.
Again, I don't accept any liability for anyone that actually tries this method. Informational purposes only people.
Edit: Forgot about my *. I read once that the bottom of the bilo is flat so you can't put it down and have to drink it in one go. Altough I would guess that it has more to do with the fact that coconuts are round. If you are going to be non-traditional, maybe just get some of those brown ceremic coffee mugs from the thrift shop.
Or if you want to get real Rasta earthy, grow some gourds and make the bottoms flat before curing by growing them on boards.
I'm not giving advice here, just telling you how I do it. This method may maim you if you are not familiar with basic carpentry.
Step 1: Get a mature coconut. I'll leave that one up to you.
Step 2: Cut the coconut about 2/3rds of the way up, or if it has those annoying "pre-cuts" wherever those are. I use a dremel with a circular sander. If you take this route, be super careful, wear eye protection, and do it sober. You will probably break a blade unless you hands are much steadier than mine.
Step 3: Microwave the coconut halves for two minute intervals. They will hiss and smell amazing. After every two minutes carefully check and see if the coconut meat is falling out yet with a fork. It should peel away eventually. If the meat does not come out effortlessly, then back in the microwave it goes. If you have a strong microwave, you might want to use one minute intervals. Once the meat slips out then you can eat the coconut, feed it to your dog to give him a shiny coat, compost it, or something.
Step 4: Now you have an ugly shell in two pieces. I use a dremel to sand down the ridges, then a hand sander to polish the inside and out. You know, start with the coarse grade and work your way down.
Step 5: When it looks nice to you, here is an extra step to get a Bilo that stands.* Get some epoxy. If you are going to be putting your bilo in the dishwasher, take that into account. If you are going to be dipping it into your kava, take that into account. Don't poison yourself with epoxy choices. Sand the bottom of each top of your coconut halves, just a little, until you have a dime size or smaller flat piece of the bottom of each. If you sand to far and get a hole, you are done for and have to start over. Then epoxy the two halves together. The smaller piece will function as your "stand" and the top part will hold your Kava.
Step 6: Rub your coconut with as much food safe oil as it will absorb. I use what is called mineral oil in the USA. I hear walnut oil is fancy and smells nice. Just google "food safe wood cure" or something if you want to know all of your options.
And there you have it.
Now I have a decent amount of tools on hand being a country boy and a Tiki carver, but all you really need for this project is a hand saw and some sandpaper, if you are hardy.
Again, I don't accept any liability for anyone that actually tries this method. Informational purposes only people.
Edit: Forgot about my *. I read once that the bottom of the bilo is flat so you can't put it down and have to drink it in one go. Altough I would guess that it has more to do with the fact that coconuts are round. If you are going to be non-traditional, maybe just get some of those brown ceremic coffee mugs from the thrift shop.
Or if you want to get real Rasta earthy, grow some gourds and make the bottoms flat before curing by growing them on boards.