How to prepare kava
Traditional grind kava is kneaded in a cloth, not stirred into water. It takes a few minutes and it is not difficult, but it does need to be done properly.
What you need
- Traditional grind kava
- A strainer cloth — not optional for traditional grind
- A bowl, ideally a tanoa
- Cool or room-temperature water
- A bilo, or any cup
For one or two people
- Place 2–3 tablespoons of kava in the centre of the strainer cloth.
- Gather the edges of the cloth and twist them into a bundle.
- Fill the bowl with 600–800ml of cool water.
- Lower the bundle in and knead it for 3–4 minutes, pressing and squeezing under the water. The water will turn dark and cloudy.
- Wring the cloth out firmly, then lift it clear of the bowl.
- Serve in a bilo, around 100ml at a time.
For a group
- Use 8–10 tablespoons of kava.
- Fill the tanoa with 3–4 litres of cool water.
- Knead for 4–5 minutes.
- Wring out, lift clear, and fill each bilo about two-thirds.
How to drink it
Drink a bilo in one go rather than sipping it. Stir the bowl between servings — the good part settles to the bottom, so the last cup out of an unstirred bowl is quite different to the first.
Leave ten to fifteen minutes between cups. Start with a smaller amount on your first session until you know how you find it, and don't drink it on an empty stomach.
Getting it right
- Water temperature. Cool or room temperature. Hot water is not used for kava.
- Strength. Less water makes a stronger bowl, more water a weaker one. Adjust the water rather than the powder.
- Kneading. Three or four minutes of proper work. A rushed bowl is a weak bowl, and most disappointing kava is under-kneaded rather than poor quality.
- Second wash. Some people re-knead the same grounds in fresh water for a lighter second bowl.
Afterwards
Rinse the cloth in plain water — no detergent, as soap carries into the next bowl — and hang it to dry fully before storing. Rinse the tanoa and bilos and let them air dry.
Keep unused kava sealed in a cool, dry place out of direct sunlight.
Kava is sold for use as a food, to adults only. Use in moderation. May cause drowsiness — do not drive or operate machinery after drinking kava. Do not consume with alcohol. Avoid if pregnant or breastfeeding, or if you have a liver condition.