Trying the loa waka tonight

[Edward]

My order came through the other day and tonight is the perfect night to try this one out. I blended 2 tbps with about 40oz of water with some ginger as usual. Just had an 8 oz shell. Very mild taste and very mild effect so far. Maybe I was spoilt with the Vanuatu waka but this one is nowhere near as strong. Going to have another shell in a few minutes. One thing I did do differently is to strain through a knee high which let a lot less sediment through. Maybe less water next time may help?

 

[verticity]

My order came through the other day and tonight is the perfect night to try this one out. I blended 2 tbps with about 40oz of water with some ginger as usual. Just had an 8 oz shell. Very mild taste and very mild effect so far. Maybe I was spoilt with the Vanuatu waka but this one is nowhere near as strong. Going to have another shell in a few minutes. One thing I did do differently is to strain through a knee high which let a lot less sediment through. Maybe less water next time may help?

You could use a lot less water. Be sure you are really kneading it for 10 minutes. Using hot water helps. Wear gloves while kneading so your hands don't look like the bark of 2000 year old trees. The Loa Waka is quite strong for me (of course I use a lot more root... typically 1/2 cup per 4 cups of water which is 32 oz of water... consuming 8 oz at 1/2 hour intervals or longer) And sometimes kava can creep up on you...

 

[Edward]

Thanks for the tips. I'm on shell 4 now and feeling it a bit more. I think what has happened is that I used the nylon to strain it whereas I was using a tea strainer before which was letting more of the "grounds" through. I'm finding it relatively easy on the stomach and I'm thinking that this could be as a result of less sediment. Yes it's not having the same effect but it's easier to drink, maybe a bit of a trade off. You are surely right that with less water it would be better. I think for me right now 1 tbsp. of root for every cup of water should be about right, a lot stronger than I was mixing it, probably get a better effect.

 

[Edward]

My cup isn't a standard US cup size either. I'll keep trying and get it right in the end. I think I'm going to have one more shell then wait a little while before I have some dinner. I might have some kava candy to send me to sleep later if I'm feeling in need.

 

[Edward]

That makes more sense actually. Less water for a stronger brew but strain through the stocking for less grounds meaning easier on the stomach. This means more kavalactones in each shell while still not affecting the stomach too much.

 

[verticity]

My cup isn't a standard US cup size either. I'll keep trying and get it right in the end. I think I'm going to have one more shell then wait a little while before I have some dinner. I might have some kava candy to send me to sleep later if I'm feeling in need.

The are not too different in the UK:
1 U.S. "legal" cup = 240 millilitres (Used in the US and Liberia only!)
1 imperial cup (UK) = 284 millilitres
1 Japanese cup = 200 millilitres (Interesting, I didn't know they used cups)

Of course New Zealand has the most logical cups:
"Some countries in the Commonwealth of Nations, notably Australia and New Zealand, define a metric cup of 250 millilitres."
"A "coffee cup" is 1.5 dl or 150 millilitres or 5.07 US customary fluid ounces, and is occasionally used in recipes." OK that is not very logical.

Also there is a unit of measure known as an "Australian Tablespoon" <== insert Australia joke here ==>

 

[Edward]

Regardless of the amount of water I'm on the best part of 2tbps of root now and feeling the effect a lot more. I'm feeling a nice gentle muscle relaxation and a calmness of mind. Mild euphoria, stomach still coping well despite the amount of liquid. Next time I will definitely mix with less water so each shell will be stronger, get the stuff in me quicker and take in less liquid, less shells overall. I like this kava anyway, good overall effects.

 

[Edward]

Lol, thanks for that. I've always thought it wouldn't make too much difference especially if you use the cup to measure, say 1 cup powder to 3 or 4 cups water, doesn't matter how big the cup is.

 

[verticity]

Lol, thanks for that. I've always thought it wouldn't make too much difference especially if you use the cup to measure, say 1 cup powder to 3 or 4 cups water, doesn't matter how big the cup is.

True, the important thing is the ratio

 

[Edward]

Thanks for your help. Imagine how long it would take to get all this sorted out on your own?!

I'm feeling fine now, just maybe could have got here quicker by mixing it quicker. Maybe 2 tbsps. to 2 cups of water, possibly take smaller shells and space it out a bit more. I think the nylon straining is definitely good for keeping the bad sediment out while letting the good sediment through. Maybe that's what you need to do, mix it stronger but strain better. Better for the stomach but still a good effect.

I've got a very small amount of liquid left from my mix tonight. I think it would be rude not to finish that off and have a fresh mix for tomorrow.

 

[verticity]

Remember, you need to knead too, not just mix and strain.

 

[Edward]

I use a blender, give it a good 2 or 3 minutes.

 

[verticity]

I use a blender, give it a good 2 or 3 minutes.

That works too