Kava Party

[kl.kavalier]

I'm new to this forum and also new to kava. I recently visited the Big Island, after having lived there a while back, and finally got to try kava. I loved it and want to introduce some friends to it, so I'm planning a kava evening. My dilemma is finding the best kava for novices, and how much I might need for 15-20 people. I'm leaning towards Paradise Kava frozen, but once again I'm not sure how much I should order, or if there might be a better option.

I've done a lot of on-line research and it's been very educational but also confusing. My first taste of kava was some from Vanuatu that I bought at an outdoor market. It was love at first bowl. So, I purchased some more to take home with me, from a health food store, and it's just so-so.

I really want my friends to enjoy their first experience with kava, and any input would be hugely appreciated. I also want to have enough on hand and need to know how much I should be prepared to make. And any suggestions for making the evening as enjoyable as possible would be great.

Thanks in advance.

 

[kl.Ted]

IMO, and I've never thrown a party:



Fresh kava tastes great, but it's not cost effective for that many people. I don't know the exact ratio, but because of the water in fresh kava, it's efficacy seems to be about 0.2/1 to that of the cost of dry root, and it costs twice as much.



I would do Hawaiian Kava Center Hiwa. It tastes pretty good, and the effects are noticeable. I would mix it with a kava to water ratio of about 1/5. I would use the blender method, mixing in small batches of about 0.5 cups kava to 2.5 cups water. According to my internal calculations, that seems to be about 1-1.5 pounds of root, if people want 2-3 shells. Someone correct that.



At the most, prepare the kava a day in advance.

 

[kl.Kavalogue]

Thank you Ted, this is usefull, I would like to make such a kava party, as well as Kavalier.

 

[kl.kavalier]

Thanks, Ted, for your very useful info. This is exactly what I needed to know. I'm going to trust your knowledge and go with it. I'll let you know how it turns out!

Now, got to go order some kava.

 

[Paradise Kava]

Glad you are leaning towards fresh kava kavalier I think there is no better way to introduce kava to beginners because of several reasons. The effect is not the same as powder primarily because of the presence of amino acids and enzymes which leave the new drinker feeling totally fresh the next day. Our bodies process fresh kava very well because these enzymes and amino acids help it out, and are are never found in any powdered kava, period.




Now I agree it can be a bit pricey. However, if you take six quarts to one pound of fresh frozen kava, that is fine for beginners. Just make sure you give the kava a VERY HOT water bath for the first quart and room temp water for the rest. Squeeze well and serve colder than usual. colder kava is usually easier to drink for newbies.



Also, I love to offer pieces of fruit, dried fruit, candied ginger etc. (not diary based products or milk chocolates) as a palate cleanser and reward for shooting a shell.



Hope these ideas help you throw a superb kava party! Remember to dim the lights and post pictures for us here at the forum.

Finally, go online and find yourself a good Fijian kava or even Tongan kava if you do not end up getting our frozen kava. These two are greet for beginners in my opinion because of their light taste and heady effects. We will be out of stock of Fijian kava till our particularly favorite strain is available again.
I do recommend you try real kava.com, (Gary is awesome, and he's tried and liked some of our fresh kava beverage.)



PS did you come see us when you visited the Big Island of Hawaii?



Aloha bro,



Adil G.

 

[kl.DannyTW]

Heh, one of my favorite things about discovering this forum is how, even though they are in competition with each other, the online vendors (the ones who have a presence here, at least) are all so pleasant. Who ever heard of online vendors recommending another vendor's product?



Awesome.

 

[kl.kavalier]

Well, I had my first kava party, and it turned out pretty well. Sorry, Adil, I was too mellowed out to remember to take pictures! Twenty people showed up, and no one had ever tried kava before. I made a huge batch of your very own Paradise Kava Hawaiian Grown Kava Powder, (the traditional hand-squeezed method - it took forever) and steeped some chai tea bags in it and added some coconut water and a bit of Big Island honey. It was actually pretty good. I also decided to experiment and mix in some Hawaiian Kava Center Hiva powder, as I've read that it's good for conversation.

A few people wouldn't try it... I think they were afraid of a bad reaction, even though I gave a great kava spiel about all the benefits. And I actually had a registered nurse present who had really done her kava homework, and decided it was OK with her and had at least three shells. Those who drank the kava didn't seem to mind the flavor at all, which surprised me. The only complaint was the residue at the bottom of the bowl. Interestingly enough, they all stirred it before pouring, even though I hadn't mentioned doing that. It just seemed intuitive to them.

I did serve fresh pineapple, kiwi, bananas and other tropical fruits, along with Starbursts and dark chocolate Hershey's Kisses. As far as kava being an appetite suppressant: that didn't seem to work on my crowd. I ended up ordering pizzas towards the end of the evening and they were devoured in minutes.

Most of the people there said they only had slight effects from the kava, but I watched as it seemed to change the whole mood in the room; everyone became very talkative and friendly and seemed to be really enjoying themselves. All without alcohol! I realized they were feeling the kava but just weren't aware of it. But the ones who were only going to have a "taste" returned to the bowl several times. Funny.

I did dim the lights and had on some very atmospheric, new-age music. My house is pretty zen-like in decoration, so it all fit rather well. Someone said they felt like they were in a spa; so relaxed.

I am going to try the fresh kava at some point, especially after what you wrote, Adil. It just makes sense it would be better. And hot water? I thought that was a no-no, but you're the expert. But I'm afraid I overdid it on the kava powder ordering... I've still got enough for many more parties. I may have to open a kava bar in my house.

Only one more thing... I got an email this morning from one of the guests. She said, after two bowls and then going home, she'd felt like this: "Mild wired feeling in the eyes, heightened senses, higher energy. Another odd symptom was that I woke up in the middle of the night with my face, ears and neck feeling hot. Once that passed I felt normal." Anyone ever heard of hot flashes from kava?

When I was last on the Big Island, in September, I didn't know Paradise Kava existed. But when I go back, which I do every year or so, I'll look you up. Thanks for your help and comments, everyone.

Aloha