Forretressqt
Kava Enthusiast
- cpReview
- {"Grade":10,"Potency":8,"Mind":8,"Body":8,"Anxiety":8,"Sedative":8,"Taste":"0","Preparation":"","Duration":"","SideEffects":"","Headline":""}
Quick sob story for the twentieth time on this forum: Diagnosed with a hiatus hernia which severely hampered my tolerance of kava. Whilst adjusting my dosages of traditional helps somewhat (alongside diet changes), I recently had the lightbulb moment of transitioning to instant.
I'd consider myself somewhat of a purist and would prefer traditional wherever possible, but we don't always get what we want and have to make changes. As a great man once told me, "Embrace the suck" (thanks Jimmy).
If anyone is in a similar boat, transitioning to crystalized ginger instead of basic fruit as a chaser does wonders.
Today I have the pleasure of giving you far too much to read, including double-up reviews for things I've posted in the past. This allows me to relax whilst drinking my kava and not think about other write ups I should be doing.
For context of bias, my favourite for a long time has been Palarasul. The best I've ever had was Puariki but that's a real treat for special occassions.
There are three things that apply to these instants in general:
I note that all of these have a unique effect of winding down and then coming back in almost-full-force between chugs. i.e each shell brings back the effects in full. I find traditional is kind of a linear downward slope in terms of effects but not these. The only exception to this was the Melo Melo instant; I couldn't tell you why.
The flavour profile is generally considered to be similar to traditional grind. However, across the board, they are all notably more palatable than traditional grind of the same cultivar.
Effects do not last as long and I could not tell you why. Based on the preperation method I would assume an almost identical kavalactone profile to traditional. Perhaps related to the amount in a serving size?
Notable euphoria comparable to Palarasul with a mildly relaxing body feeling. I would once again say something like "seems to combine the effects of many cultivars into one", but, I actually read the website for once and saw that it is indeed a blend. Makes sense then, huh?
I was indeed very silly and doubled up on my usual amount, unfortunately this lead to pronounced nausea. This isn't meant as "this causes stomach upset!" but rather a compliment to how nice and moreish it is.
Somewhat shorter lived effects than single cultivars but well worth trying; particularly as a kava to use as an introduction for your friends. I could honestly say out of the instants, this is the one I'd probably be happiest to always have on hand. Gives well-rounded effects and is so easy to drink. Not sure if it's a particularly good batch or just how this blend generally goes.
The effects are slightly slower onset than other cultivars but really ramp up to a wonderful body relaxation and gentle mind sedation. I feel that I could almost have a good nap after a couple of shells but didn't partake. Notably "ramp back up" effects when taking long breaks in between shells, no linear reduction of effects here. The closest I can compare it to is a glass of whiskey or even another GABA agonist prescription drug which I won't say as I can't remember forum rules. Warm fuzzies and pleasant sedation.
I'd consider myself somewhat of a purist and would prefer traditional wherever possible, but we don't always get what we want and have to make changes. As a great man once told me, "Embrace the suck" (thanks Jimmy).
If anyone is in a similar boat, transitioning to crystalized ginger instead of basic fruit as a chaser does wonders.
Today I have the pleasure of giving you far too much to read, including double-up reviews for things I've posted in the past. This allows me to relax whilst drinking my kava and not think about other write ups I should be doing.
For context of bias, my favourite for a long time has been Palarasul. The best I've ever had was Puariki but that's a real treat for special occassions.
There are three things that apply to these instants in general:
I note that all of these have a unique effect of winding down and then coming back in almost-full-force between chugs. i.e each shell brings back the effects in full. I find traditional is kind of a linear downward slope in terms of effects but not these. The only exception to this was the Melo Melo instant; I couldn't tell you why.
The flavour profile is generally considered to be similar to traditional grind. However, across the board, they are all notably more palatable than traditional grind of the same cultivar.
Effects do not last as long and I could not tell you why. Based on the preperation method I would assume an almost identical kavalactone profile to traditional. Perhaps related to the amount in a serving size?
-------------------------------Instant Green------------------------------
Definitely reviewed this before - the taste is probably the best you'll ever get from kava that isn't genuine fresh and green. Vegetative and very smooth. I would almost lean towards pleasant tasting in general (absolutely pleasant when comparing to other kava cultivars).
Notable euphoria comparable to Palarasul with a mildly relaxing body feeling. I would once again say something like "seems to combine the effects of many cultivars into one", but, I actually read the website for once and saw that it is indeed a blend. Makes sense then, huh?
I was indeed very silly and doubled up on my usual amount, unfortunately this lead to pronounced nausea. This isn't meant as "this causes stomach upset!" but rather a compliment to how nice and moreish it is.
Somewhat shorter lived effects than single cultivars but well worth trying; particularly as a kava to use as an introduction for your friends. I could honestly say out of the instants, this is the one I'd probably be happiest to always have on hand. Gives well-rounded effects and is so easy to drink. Not sure if it's a particularly good batch or just how this blend generally goes.
-------------------------------Borogoru------------------------------
It was my first time trying a heavy-leaning kava in a while and this was a couple of days ago. I was very pleased with it even if I wouldn't take it (or any kava, really) directly before bed. Somewhat known for it's more intense, peppery and full-bodied flavour profile, the instant variety is notably palatable and it's really only hints of the spice showing through. Funnily enough, I feel like it's one of the best instants in terms of flavour and not causing flavour fatigue. The opposite is the case for traditional.
The effects are slightly slower onset than other cultivars but really ramp up to a wonderful body relaxation and gentle mind sedation. I feel that I could almost have a good nap after a couple of shells but didn't partake. Notably "ramp back up" effects when taking long breaks in between shells, no linear reduction of effects here. The closest I can compare it to is a glass of whiskey or even another GABA agonist prescription drug which I won't say as I can't remember forum rules. Warm fuzzies and pleasant sedation.
-------------------------------Melo Melo------------------------------
From what I've read and what friends have told me, Melo Melo is one of the top-dawg cultivars next to Kelai. I've also only got great things to say about the traditional grind Melo Melo. As far as instant goes, I had an average experience (Don't fall for rating inflation, average is still pretty positive).. That's not to say anything is wrong with it, I took it over a couple of sleep deprived days when I also had stuff to do during my sessions so I definitely wasn't listening to the kava as I should have been. A mix of mind and body relaxation with quick onset, I would put it somewhere between Bir Kar and Palarasul but with more body load than either. Highly palatable - somewhat creamy and nutty. I think my biggest issue, as with many things in life, is comparison. I couldn't figure out if it was trying to be more heady euphoria like Palarasul/Kelai or more body sedation like Borogoru. In hindsight it's a well-balanced kava and easy on the palate and stomach, another beginner recommended one.
-------------------------------Bir Kar------------------------------
The words I would use for this are perhaps "clean" or "clear-headed". This is actually the one I'm enjoying whilst typing this out. Quite rapid onset with the classic heady-kava euphoria that quickly shifts into a well-rounded relaxation. I could very easily do some work or things that require concentration with a shell of this in hand. Mainly heady and somewhat uplifting and stimulating. I'll need to give it some time to wear off but I can imagine it'll be an easy comedown that allows me to be back to reality quite quickly and without issue (some of the more heady cultivars such as Kelai and Palarasul can make me quite jittery if I have a large session). As with the others, very palatable with slightly nutty notes and a little more depth than the other heady varieties but not as rounded as Melo Melo. This really does shine as a quick-session kava; something you'd want for a quick fix when you have other things on that day.