Monday, October 1, 2012

Paradise Kava's Fijian Kava (2012)


As you likely know by now, there are many different kinds of Kavas. Heavy and woozy Kavas, light and uplifting Kavas, hypnotic and transcendental Kavas, and Kavas that just give you the right feeling to get through a difficult situation. Of course, different Kava drinkers are going to prefer different kinds of Kava. Some people reach straight for a Papua New Guinean Isa or a bag of Nakamal at Home’s Wow! and sputter off into a different world for a couple of days. Others seek out Kava from the Solomon Islands – a root that is essentially psychedelic in its effects. But I have always preferred the steady hitters; the mid-strength Kavas that you can drink from the early evening until late at night. These brews look like bleached coral and have a smooth, creamy taste that matches perfectly with their sedative effects.



Paradise Kava’s latest Fijian batch is interesting because it doesn’t have that white hue to it, but rather a typically light brown color for Kava. But when you brew it (or even just give it a whiff) you get that familiar Fijian scent and flavor. It has a creamy and cashew-like flavor that makes you think twice about having to treat each shell like its some kind of pure grain alcohol. When I brewed this Kava for the first time I found myself sipping my coconut shell like it was full of rare Irish whiskey or cognac. In other words: this is a great Kava to have around for people who get squeamish about the scents and rooty notes of most Kavas. Of course, it doesn’t taste like vanilla ice cream or garlic-drenched lobster – but in the Kava world it is one of the better flavors I have come across.

This is probably the only Kava that I have ever had that launches you off immediately, brings you to a comfortable place, and then creeps up again and drives you through the night. In some ways, it is way more powerful than most Kavas – 5 hours later! If I had to describe it in a nutshell, I would say that this root sends you to space, turns you into a socialite, and then winds down like you’ve just taken 50 mg of valium. The two times I brewed this batch up I sat around a table from 4 P.M until around 11 P.M telling stories about random adventures I’ve had in Africa. It is perfect for mellow-minded ice-breaking and removing the static between you and those you are talking with. An uplifting, light, and delicious social Kava.



One very interesting thing: Kava dreams. I have never had a Kava that gave me such deep, vivid, and compelling dreams. I think this might be slightly connected to its creeping qualities – I woke up from a dream feeling krunked and then drifted back into that technicolor world of psychological manifestations. Even as I type this, the morning after I brewed up 3 litres (5 tablespoons total) and shared amongst friends last night, I still feel a bit krunked. But I don’t feel like I’m coming down off a mind-warping Isa flight. I feel like I’m being gently delivered back into a more gentle world. But the dreams! If you are into the more spiritual qualities of Kava, this might be the one that you buy stock in (literally).

Bula! A new Fijian strain is here…

Flavor – 9.75/10
Effects (Mind) – 10/10
Effects (Body) – 7.5/10
Medium Strength-Long Lasting

Paradise Kava's Fiji Kava (2012) - 9.1/10

18 comments:

  1. Doug, sweet review brother. Very appreciated.. Sounds like a slammin Kava, similar to Tongan Pride? I'm curious what you are using for kneading, is it a pestle? I ask because I have trouble kneading for longer than 5 minutes (maybe too vigorous), and was thinking about a good tool to use... thanks so much for your reviews and for thewonderful Kava Lounge forum! Take care,
    Mac

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  2. Hi, I was very happy to find your blog, some very interesting stuff here. I am new to kava. I just purchased 1/2 pound from konakava before I found your blog thinking like many "all kava is the same right?"
    Well I was wondering if u could help me out. If you could suggest at kava root powder that would be a great start. I don't drink alot, just maybe 1tbls -2tbls of kona every other day when I get home from work, just enough to put a smile on my face and allow me to enjoy my kids when I get home haha. Also, I have been searching forever for a clean, quick and easy method to make my kava in the amount I require any tips? Also, is a blender and pouring through a strainer REALLY that different than the hand straining method. I know its a lot, but thanks if u can answer any one of my questions.
    -dave

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  3. I'm new, too and I just love the numb feeling! Which prep method is best, but also, which will make me the most numb? I know, it sounds silly!

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  4. Dave,
    I used to strain kava, then I switched to blender. the biggest advantage of using a blender is of course that you can add things like honey, ginger etc. It is also a bit faster, although I am not sure if it really makes kava that much stronger. The disadvantage (for me) of using a blender is that it makes straining kava harder (at least with the types of clothes I use in the process). Recently I've discovered instant kava from Kava Kaui (realkava.com) and now it is my favorite option - it combines the simplicity of altering flavours with ease of preparation. Doug has reviewed a few other types of instant kavas, find the one that would seem like your thing and give it a try!

    -Z

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  5. Better than the black bag fiji kava or "heroin kava" and the kona kava makhea along with 2 other hawaiian kavas I have tried. For the price it's a steal. I live in texas and got it via standard shipping in 3 days. The calming is unlike other kavas, much more peaceful and positive? hard to describe the mental calming but its GREAT. and the physical euphoria is like that of an opiate. warm fuzzy legs that eventually creeps up to your head and neck, thus peaking the experience. 11/10 in my book. for those that read my comment and think im exagerating , i do use a very strong non-traditional method to brew most of my kava.

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    1. the above comment was ment for the Vanuatu 3 Special Addition kava review. I will copy and paste it there. disregard the above review for the paradies fijian kava.

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    2. Dude, what is this "very strong non-traditional method" of yours?

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  6. I too am new to kava, and have questions about the "kneading" method. I bought some mahakea kava and several straining bags. First, I let the kava powder soak for at least an hour in my blender, then I blend for one to two minutes. Then I pour the mixture into one of the straining sacks. It takes forever even to get the liquid out one time, much less kneading it. In fact, I ruined a bag; it came apart at the seams, thus allowing the sediment back into the clean mix. The liquid just doesn't want to come out of the bag, with me using all my might, and I'm pretty strong. What am I doing wrong?

    Admittedly, I could drink the mix after simply straining it, but straining removes relatively little of the sediment, which I don't care for.

    Since I'm not the only user with a question on this, it might be a good topic for a blog entry.

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  7. If you go to the "Kavasseur's News Stories" column I wrote an entry on kneading and how to make Kava. Check it out!

    -Kavasseur

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  8. But I read somewhere that Cava can have potential side effect and can damage the liver if not taken appropriate dosage.

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    Replies
    1. Kava associated with liver toxicity has never been associated with the drunkin form.

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  9. Douglas, loving the blog!
    Just rediscovered Kava, luckily for me there is a big Fijian-Indian expat community in my city so good Fiji Kava is easy to come by.

    Will have to start looking around for some more exotic blends in future since your posts certainly make me want to try new varieties.

    -Jedi

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  10. This kava is very similar to Rex's Tongan Pride. It affects the mind more than the body, there are no feelings of numbness or heaviness like there are with kavas with high DHM content. It's a very social kava, doesn't sedate you at all and makes you feel more comfortable around others.

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  11. Hi,I have just spent a month or so getting aquainted with kava,My first experience has been with paradise isa.Not the the best choice for a beginner,however, well worth some initial discomfort.Last night i felt like i was flying on a bed of cotton wool.very similar feeling to opiates.
    my only thought was WOW!
    now that Kava can work its magic on me,Im gonna order some fijian from paradise-sounds frickin amazing.
    Thanks for the review and Hello to any Kava drinkers in the UK.

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  12. I just found your site. I'm new to kava aside from tinctures from health food stores. I saw your site and made some "tea" with some freeze dried root juice capsules by emptying them out. I added some lecithin, and although I haven't used the special kava powders I just learned of from you, just the new preparation knowledge I applied worked so much better than any kava I've tried before. Thank you, and Im looking forward to trying out some of these amazing kavas you speak of. :)

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  13. I was a pain medication abuser for 5 years (the last 8 months of it being the "out of control" stage) and have been clean from them for over a year, now. I do take Suboxone for it and have been for the past year. I have SLE (Systemic Lupus), a weird form of Small Fiber Neuropathy and recently found out I have Fibromyalgia...and I'm a 32yr old female. I am on a medication for my ADHD and I only recently got off Prednisone, from being on it for a total of 9 months out of 11. Now I'm on a medication caled Aziothioprine (sp?) which lowers my immune level and can hurt my liver (no worse, I'm sure, than the pill abuse or Predsnisone did lol...sigh). Anyhow, I don't want to be on all these meds and I have read that Kava can assist with inflammation?

    My worst gripe is that every night when I crawl in to bed (or if I take a nap during the day...it happens when I lay down) my hands and arms go numb to the point that I wake up constantly in excruciating pain. Then, the soreness lasts the entire day, only to happen again when I go to bed. I'm in hell. Now, I know you're not a doctor BUT with all that said, along with your research and knowledge of Kava, which type do you think would benefit me the most? My boyfriend is also under high levels of stress and takes strong medications to assist with restless legs and insomnia...he would love to get off them if he could...but as of right now, neither of us would get ANY sleep if he did, lol. I do deal with some anxiety issues from time to time so I guess I'm looking for something that I can take drink at night that will relax me but also give me "feel good" vibes and then when it's time to sleep...sleep. I don't want something that will knock me on my butt but I do want to get my money worth. I also can't have something that will hang with me the next day. He works two jobs so he can't have something that will leave it's mark, either,

    I've read through your blog but I don't have time to read through all of it, nor compare and contrast all of it. Could you give me a quick idea of what you think would be best, given all I've stated? I do see a specialist for my Rheumatoid issues so my bloodwork is checked every few months. Hence, I will know if the Kava is having a negative effect and I can stop it, if so.

    Thank you!!!

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    1. I wouldn't use any herb without talking with an MD or ND. Not with liver problems or addiction issues. I've been a kava user for a couple years and a nurse for 13. I would use any herb with caution and guidance.

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  14. MD's are a joke when it comes to herbs. They don't know what they are.

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