Need to start the Kava journey...

[DownandOutinNYC]

Finally I picked up some pure ground kava from
https://www.starwest-botanicals.com...MI_7-o38GQ3QIVQ7nACh0mbwiIEAQYASABEgLFsvD_BwE

I called their service line to find out it’s pure ground root and they assure me that it is. But they couldn’t tell me if what micronized or not. They said I could put it in a smoothie but I thought that you could only do this with micronized kava. The person on the line wasn’t aware of how to prepare kava.

Can you put ground kava root in a smoothie or in water without kneading it?

 

[recentreturn]

Finally I picked up some pure ground kava from
https://www.starwest-botanicals.com...MI_7-o38GQ3QIVQ7nACh0mbwiIEAQYASABEgLFsvD_BwE

I called their service line to find out it’s pure ground root and they assure me that it is. But they couldn’t tell me if what micronized or not. They said I could put it in a smoothie but I thought that you could only do this with micronized kava. The person on the line wasn’t aware of how to prepare kava.

Can you put ground kava root in a smoothie or in water without kneading it?

I would not put Starwest ground kava (or any medium grind - its not micronized) in a smoothie. Find a nut milk bag, or something similar, and knead it in cool/room-temperature water for 10 minutes. That being said, many have not had good experiences with that particular brand. I know Starwest might be cheaper, but I would reaffirm that you would do better to try one of the online vendors mentioned in the first response to your thread or others mentioned here on Kava Forums. Some kava is just better for drinking. I haven't had Starwest since the 90's, but I don't remember being at all impressed. Nevertheless, I wish you the best as you begin your kava journey.

 

[DownandOutinNYC]

What’s wrong with the Starwest brand? Did people have a bad reaction or did it just not do anything at all?

What kind of effect did it have on you?

Last, what happens when you put medium grind in a smoothie? Does it just not work? Is it unhealthy?

 

[DownandOutinNYC]

Ok I researched it a little more and I’ve chucked the Starwest kava. People say it’ll make you sick and has stems and leaves in it.

The little bit I’ve had of the dried root I chewed, made me a little sick.

What is tudei?

No more being cheap, what is the best pure and trusted brand I could get online? I don’t care about price anymore. Which brand grinds pure root, no stems or leaves? Which brand gives the best effect of kava?

 

[Pauluk]

i presume you want micro grind or instant to add to a drink and consume with no fuss.
So look at brands
gourmet hawaiin kava
Kalm with kava
Bula kava house
Nakamal at home

To name just 4 quality suppliers. Look,up the effects on their websites. Maybe do a search under thr name if the type
Of kava on this forum. And you wont go wrong.

 

[Pauluk]

For anxiety GHK has Nene in micro and an even finer instant powder.
Kavafied s Supreme is also great for anxiety but i. Think its only in medium grind. However buy their aluballs and shaker
And its so easy to prepare.

 

[DownandOutinNYC]

Can you get the same effect with micronized that you can get with medium grind? Or is there no contest? Kneading it and doing it traditionally is just the best and there is no comparison?

 

[SelfBiasResistor]

They are both similar but different and have their own advantages and disadvantages. If you aren't going to strain it, micronised is a better option due to less side effects but there are a few people here that can eat spoonfuls of medium grind and get what they want from it. Most of us would agree there is a distinct feeling from traditional prep that is overall superior to micro.

 

[DownandOutinNYC]

What are the side effects of straining it? I was under the impression that the toxicity issues were mainly due to the poor quality kava with stems and leaves, and less root.
I don't mind straining it if it works much better. But now I am curious about what kind of side effects I should expect, especially from the high quality stuff.

 

[recentreturn]

What are the side effects of straining it? I was under the impression that the toxicity issues were mainly due to the poor quality kava with stems and leaves, and less root.
I don't mind straining it if it works much better. But now I am curious about what kind of side effects I should expect, especially from the high quality stuff.

There's no downside to straining it. That's the way its been consumed for thousands of years (with the caveat that drying first might be a more modern phenomenon). Micronized is definitely a newer phenomenon; some people experience more drying of the skin or stomach issues with it, but its had a good run since it came out. Instant is supposed to be the same thing as traditionally prepped, strained kava, just dried into an instant powder. If your goal is to drink kava and not to put it in smooties, there should be no disadvantage to using medium grind; in fact, it should give you broader options. Regarding the danger of leaves and stems: I am not sure the Starwest still does this. Hopefully they've improved their product. Nevertheless, the general consensus is that they are a mass producer selling to health food chains etc., where buyers are less likely to know about quality; consequently, I think their quality is more dubious. I can't really comment on my own experiences with Starwest as it has been many years since I was hard up enough to try them. I recall their products just seeming sub-par; but its been many many years.
Regarding good brands, I think you will be fine with pretty much any vendor that gets mentioned regularly on these forums. These are vendors who sell kava as a beverage to people accustomed to making it as a beverage in the traditional fashion. If they weren't selling a decent product, people wouldn't be buying it. To name a few vendors that I've tried: Kava Time, Bula Kava House, Kalm with Kava, Gourmet Hawaiian Kava, Kava Vinaka, Squanch Kava, Kavafied; you should be fine with any of these vendors and any others that get mentioned regularly on the kava forums.

 

[DownandOutinNYC]

Ok, so I've chosen to go with Kalm with Kava sampler pack.
https://kalmwithkava.com/shop/3-kava-sample-pack-with-accessories/
Does anyone recommend this? Which of the Kavas listed below would you guys recommend?
I am looking for one I can take in the mornings that won't put me to sleep.
One that I can take at night and completely fall asleep to.
And one that I can enjoy in the evenings and get "krunk" on. Basically use to replace alcohol for good.
Please advise.

 

[DownandOutinNYC]

BTW, the photo I posted of the unground kava root. Do you guys think it's safe to chew? Does it look as though it's all root, no leaves or stems? It also comes from StarWest Botanicals.

 

[The Kap'n]

Ok, so I've chosen to go with Kalm with Kava sampler pack.
https://kalmwithkava.com/shop/3-kava-sample-pack-with-accessories/
Does anyone recommend this? Which of the Kavas listed below would you guys recommend?
I am looking for one I can take in the mornings that won't put me to sleep.
One that I can take at night and completely fall asleep to.
And one that I can enjoy in the evenings and get "krunk" on. Basically use to replace alcohol for good.
Please advise.

Sorry this has gone unanswered. You made a good decision with the sample pack. It will help you discover which kava is right for you. He includes types in his sampler that fit your needs.

Borongoru, Vula Waka, and the Pouni Ono if you get to choose.

 

[DownandOutinNYC]

Thanks, Kapm! I got all you listed except for Vula. Instead I got Borogu. Is that good too? Is it as good as Vula?

 

[Camaytoc]

I think their borogu is a good choice. Pouni for the heady, boronguru for the heavy and borogu for the balanced-ish quite heavy i personaly love their current batch of borogu!

 

[DownandOutinNYC]

Excellent! Sorry I forgot what "heady" was again?

Which one would be good to get "krunk" with on the weekends?

 

[Camaytoc]

Kava is doing different stuff in different peoples. My wife is more sensible to heady ones (let say mainly the first hour effects that might you feel acute buzz).
I'm chasing buzz too but I've find that the heavier effect that come in gradually are what I enjoy the most. But again, it depends...

The thing is that kava exploration is very rich and deep and you'll be catching these thing gradually. But it worth it. I was still a bit skeptical until recently. Now the more I get into it, the more benefits I discover and I know it is not just another hype.

- Craving for alcool just disapear gently, silently.
- I find myself way less stressed in general (even after 2 days without kava for instance)
- I'm literaly more joyfull and no more grayed out by the heavyness of preoccupations
- My sensibility for simple things is backed up
And so forth...

But it comes also with a learning curve. Just keep going without researching too much specific effects. Kava will reveal at the pace you let it go.

My better advices would be:
- ensure you have nice and good quality medium grind that suit you (you'll get the idea with your actual nice order)
- make sure your prep is well done (for best result, trad prep with lots of KNEADING and squeeze, all immersed in the water)
- be patient and just let your precise expectation on the side
- try to be in a relax state of mind when you drink kava, don't drink it when you're in rush hours

I have 6 kids and I'm a busy guy, but I'm able to drink kava and enjoy it so you should be able to find your own way

 

[DownandOutinNYC]

Thanks Camaytoc! Can you have a bad sensation with Kava? I am sensitive to mind altering substances, which is why I never did drugs recreationally, and would always freak out when trying marijuana. It's my anxiety that causes me to freak out, and I've mainly stuck with alcohol.

 

[Camaytoc]

I definitively don't find kava have anything in common with mind altering substance, even tho it has a true effect on it. It is so much a natural pathway... can't describe it. For me it is a no brainer about this.
As a personal example, despite the stupidities I have made when I was young, I would never want to be hooked on such substances. Let say it is against my faith. Hence, drinking kava help me to clear my bad habit of drinking alcohol to wind down my workday so it is even better. Oh and when I was stating I'm chasing buzz, I meant the kind of unwind trigger we can get from a bear or two, without the debilitating state of being...altered, if it make any sense.

 

[DownandOutinNYC]

This kava sounds too good to be true! I've been wanting to kick alcohol out of my weekly routine, so to hear the positive stories from people is encouraging.

My batch doesn't arrive until Friday, so I just have to be patient. I have some kava roots I could chew but I am hoping there aren't any stems or leaves in it. I only want to do this to avoid the "reverse tolerance" that may happen when I try the medium grind.