mixing instructions I've tried

[afeleki]

For 2 liters of awa:
mix about 4-8, maybe even 10 ounces of awa into 1.5 liters of water. Usually, this is the amount I drink to get the best effects.

for a gallon of awa:
1pound of awa and a gal. of water, or less.

I deliberately use less water for if its too strong I add more water, but I add cups at a time.

awa with coconut juice:
I agree with Jonathan on this, coconut juice with awa is a good substitute or change from water. I enjoyed adding more awa to coconut juice than I would to water, and taste was much better with coconut juice.

awa with ginger:
i'd follow the first set of instructions, and throw in finely minced ginger, or put it in the strainer along with the ava. Tastes great!

In addition, I use a double filtered bag that works really well, i wouldn't be surprised if its like silk or something resembling that. I would strain it for a couple minutes. Usually with the instructions I've put on top, I end up re-using ava that was used in the first batch for a second serving of ava, albeit adding a bit of awa at a time to strengthen it. I find that I like to drink a gulp or maybe 6 ounces, every 5 minutes. Therefore, my awa would not be so concentrated but about mid-strength.

I would drink awa for a couple of hours, about four hrs if I don't have any prior obligations. The feeling if I can explain it would be euphoria. Physically, I feel a sudden awareness of being at ease. I would take deep breaths, and it would feel good. I used to have a habit of smoking a cigarrette after about a couple of cups of awa. Awa is soothing, calms the nerves when I had anxiety about going to a party or to a social event. It would ease the tension after a strenuous activity. Its been about 3 years since I've been using awa, and am still amazed at its qualities.afeleki

p.s. the awa I used were Tongan, Samoan, and Fijian variety awa.

[afeleki]

I find that 'ava is better consumed in the company of like minded 'ava drinkers. The mixing of ava itself is sort of something to do in the presence of other individuals. Living in Am. Samoa, I find that finding people to enjoy a tanoa of 'ava quite challenging. So the setting for the consumption of 'ava is as important as the mixing of ava.