Study states blending more effective than kneading

[Kavaguy]

I saw in this study that blending kava extracts more kavalactones than kneading.
http://kavaforums.com/forum/wiki/how-to-optimize-the-extraction-of-kavalactones/

Since blending takes less time and is easier than kneading, why do so many on this forum prefer kneading? Is it because anecdotally you have found kneading to extract more kavalactones than blending?

 

[ThePiper]

Interesting, thanks for sharing. It's possible that kneading simply extracts more fine particles rather than actual kavalactone. I get more froth and a soupy texture blending but kneading results in a more powerful shell. Perhaps I will try blending and then kneading afterwards

 

[Vladimir Lemon]

I don't have a blender, so I knead. If this is really the case then I may order a cheap blender

 

[Kavaguy]

15 minutes spent kneading daily over the course of a year is equivalent to 91 hours, or 4 full days. Some find it therapeutic, but I would much rather be doing something else. The question is how long should it be blended for. I have a nutribullet which heats up liquid pretty fast, so I might buy a blender as well. I wouldn't think it would make a difference what type of blender it was.

 

[PurplePanda999]

I tried blending early on and after filtering, became nauseated. Maybe too strong?

Sent from my KFGIWI using Tapatalk

 

[Kavaguy]

If that maybe the case, I would try it again with less and let us know how it goes.

 

[sɥɐʞɐs]

I used to blend for a while, about 10 years ago, didn't find it to be noticeably different from kneading, but I also wasn't a full time kava drinker yet. I tried blending again after I read Bittenbender's promising study results...my results were watery weak kava that I still had to knead after. I believe they are using an expensive $400 Vitamix blender in the study, perhaps that's the key.

I personally find the prep/mess/clean-up of using the blender more annoying that kneading. But if I did notice significantly better extraction, I would definitely do it most of the time.

 

[Kavaguy]

Not sure if the type of blender would make a difference, unless the kava were in bigger chunks. If it does, the study only shows 60 and 120 seconds of blending, so 10 minutes would be taxing on a blender. Would have to take breaks after each blending cycle, which might be just as much effort as simply kneading it.

 

[sɥɐʞɐs]

I've gone up to 10 minutes of blending with my normal shitty blender...still disappointing results.
Too bad we can't have fresh roots all the time.

 

[Edward]

I used to blend for a while, about 10 years ago, didn't find it to be noticeably different from kneading, but I also wasn't a full time kava drinker yet. I tried blending again after I read Bittenbender's promising study results...my results were watery weak kava that I still had to knead after. I believe they are using an expensive $400 Vitamix blender in the study, perhaps that's the key.

I personally find the prep/mess/clean-up of using the blender more annoying that kneading. But if I did notice significantly better extraction, I would definitely do it most of the time.

I swear my milk method makes a difference. I get pretty good results from blending but I use plenty of root in not a lot of water, usually 1.5 tbsps per cup minimum. My blender is nothing special. Maybe blending for too long has an effect? I usually just go 1 to 2 mins.

 

[Kavaguy]

Edward, can you describe your milk method?

 

[Edward]

Edward, can you describe your milk method?

I called it a method but it's actually just using 1 cup milk to 3 cups water to make 4 cups. I always use 1 cup milk even if I'm mixing up 2 cups total. The milk helps me use the kava better and I'm not sure but it might help with extraction too.

 

[Kavaguy]

I have some half and half so I plan to try it but with less. Thanks.

 

[Zac Imiola (Herbalist)]

15 minutes spent kneading daily over the course of a year is equivalent to 91 hours, or 4 full days. Some find it therapeutic, but I would much rather be doing something else. The question is how long should it be blended for. I have a nutribullet which heats up liquid pretty fast, so I might buy a blender as well. I wouldn't think it would make a difference what type of blender it was.

Hahaha for 15 minutes you have to blend it

 

[Kavaguy]

True, but you can do other things while it blends, and kneading takes your full attention.

 

[Zac Imiola (Herbalist)]

Milk definitley helps with absorption ! and I find my ninja blender to be a very sufficient and money saving utensils ..it's literally ninja company or something lmao. cheap I'm sure and pretty powerful . I use cold water with this thing and it gets me alot more out of the kava . I've pretty much stopped kneading . I just keep blending it with water until it's no longer good

 

[Edward]

I just blend for 30 seconds to 1 minute and find it plenty strong enough.

 

[Kavaguy]

Mrbinx-the taste of milk in kava makes it a lot harder to go down; it seems like it intensifies the bitterness. If I drink milk before the kava, it seems that it would be sufficient to help with the absorption, right?

And can I ask you how long you blend it for?

 

[Kavaguy]

Edward, posted right after you posted. I will give just a minute a try.

 

[Vinestal]

Are you guys using an instant or micro or you still have to filter after blending? I'm kinda confused as to where you would find an inexpensive filter for this? I've seen some pretty expensive filters. Someone explain this process to me and where to get a cheap filter.