Information on Kava to know and share around the tanoa

If you’re after more information on Kava all in one convenient location, sega na lega – your are at the right place! Welcome to The Kava Guide, where we will shed some light on this “green gold”, “brown label”, “the magic roots from Fiji” or whatever you may call it. The guide shares the exceptional taste, beginnings, some ideas, and wits to this amazing product.

What is Kava?

Kava is a beverage or extract made from the Piper methysticum plant. In the South Pacific, it's a popular drink that is used in ceremonies for relaxation. The name "kava" comes from the Polynesian word "awa," which means bitter. Traditionally, plants are harvested around four years of age, as older plants have higher concentrations of kavalactones. After reaching about 2 metres (6.6 ft) in height, plants grow a wider stalk and additional stalks, but not much taller. The roots can reach a depth of 60 centimetres (2.0 ft). For thousands of years, islanders in the South Pacific have used kava plants for social rituals, religious ceremonies, family & friends’ gatherings and medicinal purposes. It does cause drowsiness hence has to be taken in moderations.

Where is Kava Found in the South Pacific?

Kava is a tropical plant native to and cultivated in the South Pacific islands, including Fiji, Samoa, Tonga, Vanuatu, and Hawaii. Kava plants thrive in climates where rainfall is plentiful, the soil remains moisturized, and temperatures and humidity are high all year round.

How is Kava grown ?

Kava certainly is a special plant. Why? Well for beginners, kava is a sterile plant, meaning it can’t reproduce naturally. Therefore, its seeds were not carried from island to island on the ocean breeze or due to migrating birds. If kava did originate in Vanuatu, as many researchers believe, it spread by hand as people migrated from one island to the next. Kava farmers must cultivate each plant from a small section of stalk they remove from a mature plant and transplant into the ground to propagate kava.

One product with many names

Piper mesthysticum is the scientific name of kava, which is one of the many members of the pepper family. Kava is the Tongan name for Piper mesthysticum and is the name most people are familiar with. Derived from the Tongan and Marquesan languages, kava literally means “bitter,” reflecting the plant’s naturally sharp, earthy taste. There are other kava names that are just as, if not more, popular than the name “kava.” In fact, every island in the Pacific Islands has a different name for kava and grows different varieties of the plant than other islands. 

NAMES FOR KAVA

Fiji – yaqona, yogona, yongona, grog
Samoa – ava, ava pepper, ava root
Tonga – kava, kava kava, kava root, kava pepper
Vanuatu – malok, malogu
Hawaii – ‘awa, pū’awa
Kosrae – seka
New Guinea – wati
Pohnpei – sakau

Beginnings of Kava

This is a tricky one. While the exact island/country from where this Gods gift originates from is not clear, it is known to play a very important role in most South Pacific Islands for hundreds of years.

What was Kava originally used for ?

Kava’s importance goes a very long way back. It has been used for medicinal purpose in the Islands in addition to its ceremonial importance. It was effectively used to calm, relax, and sedate individuals struggling with stress, anxiety, and insomnia. It was also used as a muscle relaxant, a use that is prevalent till today. Kava was also used in village meetings for conflict resolution. A kava drinking session would essentially be the last attempt for conflicting parties to sit and resolve via dialogue. While it has always been used in formal ceremonies, kava also eventually made its way into celebrations marking everyday family and village life, such as births, weddings, anniversaries, and funerals. In Fiji, kava was mostly consumed by natives however since the arrival of indentured labourers from India, a new fusion to their heritage has been carved with the use of kava. Most Indian ceremonies in Fiji and where Fijians of Indian descent reside throughout the world includes kava as a drink for visitors. 

Kava Ceremonies

Kava drinking has been part of prestigious ceremonial occasions throughout the Pacific Islands since one can remember. While kava ceremonies may differ slightly depending on the island, there are many things which are considered similar like kava bilo (cup), tanoa (basin), leaders and certain reps served first and a round is not complete until everyone has had a bilo drink. Bula is a common term used before drinking a bilo of kava.

Insert this pic A kava ceremony taking place in Fiji.

What is Kava Used For ?

Over the last several years, the popularity of kava has spread worldwide as more and more people uncover the benefits of kava. If you’re curious how kava can fit into and enhance your daily life, read on to learn about eight ways our customers use kava to upgrade their relaxation regime.

Anxiety Support

The kavalactones in kava can help you feel happier, lighter, and more relaxed. Since kavalactones interact and bind with neurotransmitters in the brain’s limbic system—which controls fear and anxiety reactions—they can help lessen your anxious feelings and thoughts.

Calm down

Kavalactones works on the receptors in the brain and help one claim down, regulates fear, anxiety, and stress responses.

Socialise

Kava lays a perfect platform for friends or for people meeting for the very first time to socialise. Kava sessions are best for those talanoa/chit chat sessions.

Relief from Depression

While this is not scientifically proven as to whether kava can be used as a treatment for depression (always consult with a doctor first for help treating depression), kava’s soothing nature helps sleep come more naturally.  

Helps you sleep

Kava is well known for its mind and body relaxation properties, making it a wonderful, natural sleep aid for those who have trouble getting to or staying asleep.

Muscle Relaxant

Kava has known to relax body and muscles.

What is Kava Powder?

Kava powder is the traditional way of using kava in the Pacific Islands. The root and stump of the plant are first dried out and then ground down into a powder. The powder is then added into a strainer and submerged in water and squeezed several times to turn it into a beverage. End product depends on an individuals taste.

Prepare Kava

Traditional way is the best way to prepare medium grind kava root. Process is summarised below however there are various other ways to achieve end result like kava blender which is available in the market nowadays.

What will you need ?

Kava strainer Bag
Tanoa or large basin to mix in
Famous Fiji Kava
Room temperature filtered water

Instructions :

Step 1: Over a large basin/tanoa, place desired amount of Kava root powder into the strainer bag.
Step 2: Pour water into the strainer bag with powdered kavas in it. Ratio of kava to water used will determine the potency of the kava drink.
Step 3: Submerge Kava and strainer bag in water and knead for 5-10 minutes. On final squeeze be sure to get all liquid out of bag.
Step 4: Stir kava (kava settles so you will want to stir it up before every serving), serve. Say Bula before drinking.

Kava tools

At Famous Fiji Kava you will find all the tools to apply this trade. From bilo cups to straining bags, we’ve got it all.

BILO

A bilo is half a coconut shell hollowed out, smoothed, and carved to form a cup. Authentic bilos are handmade and range in size and style depending on their island of origin.

TANOA

A tanoa is a wooden kava serving bowl, usually round or elliptical in shape and ranging from highly decorated to very minimalistic in design. They typically have three or more legs, are shallow, and are made of hardwood or clay.

KAVA STRAINER

Kava needs to be dipped and squeezed in water to allow it to be mixed with water for consumption. strainer bag is an effective way to do this..

How safe is Kava ?

South Pacific Islanders have been drinking kava for hundreds of years or more. Kava is not addictive when compared to substances such as alcohol and nicotine. However, it may cause drowsiness hence name of the game is moderation.

*Individual results may vary.