---
Making Kava for The First Time: The Fiji Fresh Way
Things you need:
strainer bag or t-shirt
large mixing bowl
kava powder
water, or coconut water
flavoring (optional)
Introduction: Kavalactones are oily molecules, so it takes vigorous rubbing and agitation to remove them from the pulp of the kava root. There are two main ways to make kava: the 'traditional' prep; or 'easy' prep. 'Traditional' is more labor-intensive, but if you do it right it's the best way and most efficient use of powder. The powder is very fine to begin with, because it is pounded repeatedly with a steel rod. Some additives like coconut milk can help release the molecules in addition to adding to the flavor.
Traditional prep: Use about 0.9 oz (about 2 tablespoons, more if you like stronger kava) of dry powder per 1000mL of water. Everybody does it differently. Some people use hot water because they think it increases potency. You can use additives (cocoa and vanilla are good IMO) or use coconut water. Spoon the kava into your mixing bag and then pour water over the roots. (The first time you do it, you can put your hand into the bag with the roots and rub the roots with your hands. it will feel soapy or slippery. Those are the molecules you want.)
The correct motion (few people outside of the islands know this) is you use a motion like rubbing clothes on a washboard. Basically you want to press the kava *into itself* while rubbing it back and forth. The whole idea is to rub the kava onto the kava while it's in the liquid. Do this for about 3-5 minutes. (1-2 min if you are rubbing really hard). Discard the solids in the bag and then drink the rest.
Easy prep: Toss the powder and liquids into a blender and run for 3 minutes. Squeeze through the strainer bag. Discard the solids in the bag and then drink the rest.
Making Kava for The First Time: The Fiji Fresh Way
Things you need:
strainer bag or t-shirt
large mixing bowl
kava powder
water, or coconut water
flavoring (optional)
Introduction: Kavalactones are oily molecules, so it takes vigorous rubbing and agitation to remove them from the pulp of the kava root. There are two main ways to make kava: the 'traditional' prep; or 'easy' prep. 'Traditional' is more labor-intensive, but if you do it right it's the best way and most efficient use of powder. The powder is very fine to begin with, because it is pounded repeatedly with a steel rod. Some additives like coconut milk can help release the molecules in addition to adding to the flavor.
Traditional prep: Use about 0.9 oz (about 2 tablespoons, more if you like stronger kava) of dry powder per 1000mL of water. Everybody does it differently. Some people use hot water because they think it increases potency. You can use additives (cocoa and vanilla are good IMO) or use coconut water. Spoon the kava into your mixing bag and then pour water over the roots. (The first time you do it, you can put your hand into the bag with the roots and rub the roots with your hands. it will feel soapy or slippery. Those are the molecules you want.)
The correct motion (few people outside of the islands know this) is you use a motion like rubbing clothes on a washboard. Basically you want to press the kava *into itself* while rubbing it back and forth. The whole idea is to rub the kava onto the kava while it's in the liquid. Do this for about 3-5 minutes. (1-2 min if you are rubbing really hard). Discard the solids in the bag and then drink the rest.
Easy prep: Toss the powder and liquids into a blender and run for 3 minutes. Squeeze through the strainer bag. Discard the solids in the bag and then drink the rest.
