Deleted User01 to me its very different. Before it was banned in australia several years ago i used to drink fiji powdered kava (waka) which i assume is what you have in the US. Fresh kava a thinner more sappy drink and far far stronger, it can vary day to day, nakamal to nakamal in strength & taste. From what im told this is down to variety & preparation. Some remove the skin from the root & some don't, i prefere it without. You will never look at powdered the same again once you have had fresh. Powdered kava can make me ill the next day yet fresh just does not do it to me.