All things kava

[67Cam]

Originally Posted by hotzcatz

What about betel nuts? Would those be culturally correct?

How about Palm Swipe or what was that moonshine made from palm sap called?

I tried betel nut (mixed with lime and some type of leaf) while in Palau years ago. Everyone chewed it. I remember seeing this little local girl, maybe 7 or 8 years old, with an extremely red mouth from chewing it. Interesting stuff.

[R_Cowgirl]

I brought some Hiwa back with me last trip home. I like to go to the Diamond Head Cove Kava Bar over near the zoo on Oahu. It depends on which type you drink, and it depends on how you make it. It's important to strain it. That helps take out the "dirt" taste. There are several kava forums that you can do a search on. They'll give you recipes and ideas. Some people will make it and then add it to coconut water. That also helps with the taste. I like it straight. If I drink it in the early evening, I feel relaxed and have a really great sleep. It also lends itself to some wonderful dream states.

Like anything else, it's an acquired taste. I've been drinking it off and on for decades, plus I eat a lot of vegetarian foods. So maybe that's why the 'dirt' taste doesn't bother me that much.

[hotzcatz]

There's a new vegetarian cafe that just opened up in Honokaa which has kava on their menu. They serve it in coconut shells to add to the authenticity. I've not been there yet, but they are supposed to source everything locally. They just opened last week, I think it was so they are very new in town. I think they'd been on Oahu before but it was too busy over there.