Looking into Kava to replace red wine in evenings

[satchel]

I ordered some from Amazon. Should be here Saturday. I drink about 12-14 glasses of water throughout the day. By the time I'm home and dinner is over, I'm sick of water and want something different to sip on while I do some work in the evenings. That's been red wine for a while but I'm getting to the point where it's causing weight gain and making me feel sluggish the next day. I don't like sweet juices, sodas or anything that most people drink. I like to sip a drink.

1.) Can I sip Kava as I would do wine? (During the day I often add food grade diatomaceous earth to my water, so I'm used to drinking "dirt" as they call it.) I've read it burns the tongue. Is this why you only sip a shell of it at a time?

2.) Can I add Kava to a bitter tea?

I'd love to know if anyone else sips Kava instead of alcohol. Thank you very much.

 

[Zac Imiola (Herbalist)]

Hmmm. Seems your best bet would be an instant and make a nice cocktail with it if you desire to sip.

I don't think kava burns, it just taste sharp and is kinda gross to drink. Shells I think are just easier to down real quick.

If I were you I would just get some instant and mix it with the bitter tea and you can cover all grounds.

 

[satchel]

Thank you very much! I had no idea there was instant. Can you recommend a brand? I'm thinking it's a no-no to stir into the tea?

 

[Zac Imiola (Herbalist)]

No that's the beauty of instant. It's already to go. No straining or kneading neccesarry. You can put it into anything. Ecspecially tea. Just make sure your tea isnt still hot when you add it. If it's safe temp to drink it's safe to put the kava in.

Make your tea let it cool as you would and then when it's drinkable add the kava and sip as you would.
I reccomend the @Gourmet Hawaiian Kava sample pack instant.

 

[August West]

Chek out gourmet Hawaiian kava. Either the instant for sipping, even the micro would work. Reach out to the vendors on this site. They will be more than eager to help you get started on your kava journey. Just make sure your stomach is completely empty for best results! Welcome!

 

[tomkrat]

i sip my kava. i like the gradual increase in effects and i don't mid the taste at all but i am most certainly in the minority on that. from where did you purchase your kava?

 

[TheKavaSociety]

Your dilemma reminds a bit of this little clip (forgive me, it's Friday! ) :

On a serious note, kava doesn't taste good and most people drink it for its effects. If you like the effects, then yep, you can definitely replace wine with kava. However, if you like sort of pleasant things to drink in the evenings, I would recommend a caffeine-free herbal tea. E.g. peppermint. OR a kawakawa tea (kava's non-psychoactive, but medicinal cousin) - it's great in the evenings and has a very nice flavour.

 

[muzzled dogg]

In my experience kava will have better results if you enjoy it before eating

 

[satchel]

Thank you all so much. I plan to experiment with some different teas from Amazon. Something bitter and strong and then mix in some Kava. My local grocery store has a horrible tea selection. This is the Kava ordered. Have no idea if it's good or not: I guess I can't post a link. It is:
Kava Root - Farm Fresh Borogu Kava Root
I'll try it when it arrives, but I'd like to look into instant, especially in the beginning and so I can mix it with hot and cold tea. Will I feel anything if I sip it 1-2 hours after dinner?

Gourmet Hawaiian instant looks good. Which one should I order? Moi, Mahakea, or Nene? I want to be able to sip and feel a bit of something, but also be able to work on my laptop and watch the news. Not be completely knocked out. Essentially one that's fun to sip and I notice something, but can still work if I need to.

I really appreciate the kind introduction to Kava. In 3 days I've taken away my half a bottle of red at night and also quitting smoking. One still needs at least a mild libation.

That clip is funny

 

[Kimmer]

I don't see a kava order there--but I'm with you on fighting hunger

 

[satchel]

I'll try again, I don't know why it wouldn't show the link to Amazon. It's:
Kava Root - Farm Fresh Borogu Kava Root
I'm thinking it's a newbie choice since I'm just delving into Kava.

 

[Kimmer]

Green bag? That will be good stuff. Kalm with Kava is one of the vendors here.

 

[satchel]

Yes, green bag. Well, cool! Then I did make a good choice.

For instant I just ordered Mahanea (sp?) and Nene form research on the board. Should be an ok place to start.

 

[tomkrat]

Both of those instants are great. And the borogu from KWK is great too. Watch out for the nene; out of all the kavas I've tried, it puts me to sleep the most

 

[satchel]

Thank you. With quick research on the board I also read it was for sleep. With nicotine withdrawals these past three days, I've had insomnia. Hope it does the trick!

 

[The Kap'n]

@satchel I've gone in and added the link to the product in your post. Indeed you've made an excellent decision on the type to buy.

Edit: Oh, and welcome to kavaforums! Glad to have you with us.

 

[Zac Imiola (Herbalist)]

If only I had kava when I quit ciggaretes haha. Idk if it would've helped or not but I bet it would've !

 

[August West]

For me, kava eliminates nicotine cravings. It may have something to do with my stomach being completely empty, but I don't have a nicotine urge from 6pm when I start my kava, until midnight when I fall asleep.

 

[Zac Imiola (Herbalist)]

That's awesome. I think it has this effect on all dopamine based drug addictions

 

[satchel]

Thank you all and @Kapmcrunk for the nice welcome. It's one of the friendliest and most helpful boards I've joined in years. Not rude to new members and really mellow. Maybe because of the kava.

So I made my first batch a few minutes ago. I found cheese cloth at the store today and folded it in three layers. I put three tablespoons into cheese cloth, wrapped it in a tight ball, and put it into a bow. Then I added 2 cups of warm water. I let that sit for about 10 minutes and I would knead and wring out as I did chores around the kitchen. I made 2 separate batches like this and stored in little plastic cups.

1.) Did I make it correctly? Is it strong enough? It numbed my tongue a bit, but nothing major. I'm sipping it by itself just as I would wine and the taste isn't bad at all. Although I did grow up in a holistic home, so strong herbs in drinks and different clays in my water is nothing new. It reminds me of an earthy herbal drink.

2.) I detect a heaviness behind my eyes, but that could also be from taking nicotine away from my system. I've read that's one of the withdrawl symptoms. I woke up very achy and slowly my aches are disappearing. But this may be placebo as I've only started my first tasting today.

I'm not sure I made it strong enough and I'm not offended by the taste at all.