Social Strain

[ThePiper]

I'm pondering my next order, and I'd like some advice. Where can I get the best social strain(s) of kava? You know, the type that can help direct your attention outward and stomp out shyness, while simultaneously fueling conversation. I have tried BKH's Waka, Melo-Melo, Instant, and N@H's Stone and PNG. I find all of these social to varying degrees, with waka and instan leaning toward euphoric conversation and Melo leaning toward anxiety relief. I would like to try something that's very cerebral but also potent. One more thing: I'd like to order from a site that offers thew social strain I seek but also a good extract. This isn't absolutely necessary but if you could reference some good extracts as well that would be nice. As far as extracts, any kind, even instant will do as long as it's a good value. I just need something for on the go when I need anxiety relief or just a little pick-me-up. I'm not too into extracts though because I really like the rich piney taste of a fresh cup of grog.

Thanks and happy chugging!

 

[Vekta]

They probably have what you're looking for. You'll pay a pretty penny but it'll be worth it.

http://www.paradisekava.com/

 

[Gourmet Hawaiian Kava]

If I my plants were mature I would tell you to try the Hana Kapi 'ai, it is a Hawaiian variety and it does just what you want and more, I won't have any for a while, gotta wait till it gets old enough, and then I have to stop wanting to keep it all for myself.
I would think a good Tongan or a good Vanuatu kava should do the trick. I will be getting my Vanuatu kava soon and I have my Tongan coming by the end of this week, it is micronized so you get a stronger experience and you use a lot less powder.
Aloha.

Chris

 

[kavakavakrunk]

Hey Chris,
http://www.mauikava.com/plants/hanakapiai-kava.html has the kava you are referring to. Haven't had a chance to try this kava or vendor. This was the only vendor that I saw with the hana kapi'ai.

Thanks

 

[Gourmet Hawaiian Kava]

Hay Kavakavakrunk, Cliff at Maui Kava does NOT have any of that, he is out of stock. He does not have any Hawaiian 'Awa, he does have Isa but that is too strong and not a good kava for every day drinking some say not at all because it is a tuday kava. He does have some instant kava powder from Vanuatu but it is made from a water extract and some people think that is stronger, the powder made this way is only as strong as the amount of kava you use and the strength of the kava used, like if it is an old plant or a young plant, the older ones are better. The process of getting a fine instant style kava powder using a cold water extraction was a process that I invented and I sold it to a Hawaiian 'Awa expert who took it to Vanuatu and started introducing the process there, it is just a water extract that has been spray dried, there are some other ways of preparing the instant style, just make a cup of fresh kava and put it in the fridge over night, then poor the water out, all the sludge on the bottom will stick there, it will not poor out, the water is like a weak tea, the goop at the bottom, OH BOY
I do not know of anyone with the Hana kapi'ai right now, I will have some but it will not be for at least 1 more year, I will have other Hawaiian 'Awa in the next few weeks. Aloha.

Chris

 

[The Kap'n]

Chris, I'm really interested in the way you made the instant kava. I found the motivation last year to construct my own drier with a vacuum chamber, and low heat evaporation plate. Worked quite well, but took HOURS to make a small amount so I basically scrapped it. I never thought to let the mixture set over night and then pull the water out of it. That alone would have probably upped my output 100%. Oh well, maybe on the next crazy kava thing I decide to build. I attempted and gave up the freeze drying method of making instant. I concluded that it would take someone with much more time...and a considerably deep wallet to fund that adventure.

 

[Gourmet Hawaiian Kava]

Hi Kapmcrunk, you can send me an email and I will tell you more about it, my email is Koa wood Hawaii @ msn dot com
It is amazing how it just sticks to the bottom of the bowl, once it settles down there and those sticky yellow kavalactones make a pretty sticky sludge that you can really enjoy.
I tried some freeze dried 'Awa and it was good but not as good as the traditional way and yes it does cost a lot. Aloha.

Chris

 

[porsche11]

For me, Kava By Rex Tongan Pride by FAR is the best for an uplifting, euphoric mood that makes you want to be around people and have good conversation!

 

[ThePiper]

...Thanks guys...

 

[hyperdown]

i'd also recommend paradise kava's 'premium fiji' and rex's vanuatu3, both good sociable strains.

 

[ThePiper]

Thanks HD. I have to wonder though is paradisekava's root that much better than BKH? It costs a pretty penny, and I don't understand the extract hype. Is it like super awesome or something because it doesn't seem very potent at like 150mg lactones per gram. I'm not dissing I'm just curious.

 

[sɥɐʞɐs]

I think it's more expensive because it's grown, ground and shipped from the seller's personal farm in Hawai'i.
As for social strains, I think the high kavain Tongan & Hawaiian strains will always get recommended. I personally don't find any kava to be significantly social, but to be honest, kavain strains typically react very weakly with me...and I rarely drink kava in a social setting anyway.
That being said, the strongest uplifting, happy, clean and light kava buzz i've ever had was from Kavaboy's kava...which is Tongan 'Hinehina'. But it's short lived and I've never tried re-dosing to see what happens from there.
It also seems like kavain strains and 'potency' never really seem to go hand-in-hand...except perhaps in the case of Solomon's or Nambawan.

 

[ThePiper]

Thank you.Can anyone tell me what classifies a Hawaiian kava as far as effects? Or is it similar to kava grown in other regions? BTW I have some Nambawan and borogu on the way, are they a good choice for me?

 

[JonT]

Thank you.Can anyone tell me what classifies a Hawaiian kava as far as effects? Or is it similar to kava grown in other regions? BTW I have some Nambawan and borogu on the way, are they a good choice for me?

Nambawan is quite a social kava. I think it fits your criteria of "very cerebral but potent". It's great.

Never tried the Hawaiian, though I have some sitting around. There's a famous review here:

http://kavasseur.blogspot.co.nz/2012/05/paradise-kava-100-hawaiian-awa.html

 

[The Kap'n]

Thank you.Can anyone tell me what classifies a Hawaiian kava as far as effects? Or is it similar to kava grown in other regions? BTW I have some Nambawan and borogu on the way, are they a good choice for me?

Hawaiian kavas are generally more kavain heavy, or lighter and more uplifting than the heavier variety. Don't get me wrong though I've had a Hawaiian Spotted Hiwa that was a solid banger. I second vorticity's motion that your choice for Nambawan is a very good choice.