Red Bubble Tea Question

[Burninator]

I know this has been posted about before but I’m still a little shaky on the process. I just got back into using my aeropress after buying an electric temp controlled kettle and a giant 64oz thermos. I made a 20g batch (2g citric acid) 3 days ago and it turned out way better than my previous attempts (I also never added baking soda and noticed the best burns on day 3)

Ok so my red bubble question is probably going to seem exceedingly dumb, but I just want to make sure I’m not skipping any steps. Basically I just make the aeropress batch, let it cool, and then stick in the freezer overnight?

Also, I’ve been making a point of shaking the thermos every couple minutes for the half hour I let the Kratom steep. It makes sense in my mind but I don’t know if it makes any difference whatsoever. Thoughts on that?

[Jean des Esseintes]

My process is:

For microwave single serving.

1) Measure out 5g Kratom and .5g citric acid in an 8 oz Ball cup.
2) Bring 4 oz. of water to a boil in a 12-16oz coffee cup
3) Dump Kratom and citric acid In to cup
4) Use milk frother to mix thoroughly
5) Bring contents to boil in a cup in microwave Be carful not to boil over
6) Remove cup and froth again
7) Repeat step #5 & #6
8) Let cool in cup 5 minutes or so
9) Add aprox 1/8 teaspoon baking soda
10) Use milk frother to mix thoroughly - Be careful! Frothing may cause mixture to bubble over!
11) Pour entire contents into 8oz ball container
12) Place in freezer for at least 12 hours. I leave in 24-48

When you’re ready to use a dose take out the cup. Leaf matter should have settled on the bottom, red bubble ice on the top

1) Let thaw.
2) poor off most liquid into cup.
3) pour rest of liquid & plant matter into areopress
4) plunge
5) add liquid to what you just poured off
6) drink
7) enjoy!

Repeat as necessary

I keep 4-8 different strains in freezer at any time so as to rotate

[Burninator]

Thanks for the breakdown! I’m glad I asked because for some reason I thought I was supposed to plunge before freezing...which in retrospect doesn’t make sense.

[the_spookiest]

everyones got there own ways and quirks. Myself, I would be skeptical about using a microwave....don't know whats rendering alkaloids innert or getting them too hot. Stoves work really well at boiling water. Also electric kettles are meant for boiling water. A microwave isn't meant to boil water.

Also would maybe not using boiling water at all, over kratom....just below boil, 190 or 200 degrees. Water up here at altitude boils around 200.

Plus you are using the aeropress so, you are filtering out the leaf matter? This is a method I've never done. Just wanted to mention the microwave thing. Who knows, I'm not a park ranger.

[gepetto33]

. Also electric kettles are meant for boiling water. A microwave isn't meant to boil water.

Also would maybe not using boiling water at all, over kratom....just below boil, 190 or 200 degrees. Water up here at altitude boils around 200.

I definitely agree with not using microwaves. Bottom source heating elements > Microwaves.

Funny enough i feel like i get 95% of the enhance effect with just the Heat + Acid part, leaving off the freeze portion. Maybe i'll try again soon to put that to the test, but it's definitely been working great so far.

**Edit i read his post wrong.

[erinarthur]

interesting about the baking soda I am gonna add that to mine.I use lemon juice, lemon cayenne kombuchas, and a few drops of vinegar with hot water added..freeze for at least 9 hours ..the longer it freezes the more red you will get.

[Jean des Esseintes]

I don't know the answer to microwaves in an d of themselves degrading alkaloids
Right now microwave is my only choice to heat water
If I had an electric kettle, I would use it and test Red bubble vs Electric kettle to see if there is any difference I could detect

To answer the questions:
I throw out the plant matter after the aero press.
I have tried to re-boil the plant matter to extract more alkaloids, but after trying a few times above method seems to get most every alkaloid out of the initial amount, so not worth the 2nd boil and freeze
I have taken the plant matter with the liquid. No discernible difference to me.
However there is a difference between toss and wash and Arrow pressed in my opinion
I have read that the alkaloids are pretty hearty and don’t get degraded by boiling. However I have nothing to back that up scientifically. I boil to kill any pathogens
The baking soda is meant to neutralize the acid. Because the acid will break down the alkaloids over time.

This is my experience through trial and error. Most of my initial information was gathered here at Double M & Reddit. Thanks BallzDeep9! Credit where credit is due

[guitartodd77]

My process is:

For microwave single serving.

1) Measure out 5g Kratom and 5g citric acid in an 8 oz Ball cup.

5g of citric acid seems like alot of citric acid. What type of citric acid do you use? I use the powdered citric acid that is used for cooking and preserves but if I go over 750mg, the tea tastes like pure citric acid. I've even used baking soda to try and stablize it to no avail. Curious what other types (other than actual citrus juice) may be out there that is food grade.

Thanks for sharing your recipe. I'm always trying to fine tune my process.

[Jean des Esseintes]

Thanks for the catch! .5 grams citric acid not 5 grams. I need a proof reader!

[BallzDeep9]

.5 grams citric acid not 5 grams. I need a proof reader!

yah I thought, wow that's 10 times the correct amount!! I use < 1 Tbsp Lemon juice or ACV (Acetic Acid) for each 5- 6 grams kratom. Sometimes I do 1 teaspoon each. Watch your Tsp vs Tbsp and know the difference. Use pH test strips for large batches of tea.

Conversion: One Tablespoon Lemon juice = 1/4 teaspoon citric acid powder. LINK ~ here's another Science paper discussing how much Citric acid, found in both lemon/ lime juice, and also bottled VS fresh juice: LINK