What is Kava?

Kava — yaqona in Fijian — is a drink made from the root of Piper methysticum, a plant native to the islands of the South Pacific. It has been prepared and shared across Fiji, Vanuatu, Tonga and Samoa for hundreds of years.

More than a drink

In Fiji, yaqona sits at the centre of social and ceremonial life. It is served at weddings and funerals, at the welcoming of guests, at the settling of disputes, and on ordinary evenings when people simply sit down together.

The sevusevu — the presentation of whole kava root to a host or a village chief — is a mark of respect that opens the way for a visitor to be received. Around the bowl, the order of service, who mixes and who is served first all carry meaning.

It is drunk by people of all ages and backgrounds, and its role is closer to that of tea in other cultures than to anything else: the thing you make when there is talking to be done.

How it is made

The root is dried and ground to a powder. Traditional grind is placed in a strainer cloth, kneaded in cool water for a few minutes, and wrung out. What is left in the bowl is the drink.

It is served in a bilo — a cup made from half a coconut shell — and drunk in one go rather than sipped. The bowl itself is a tanoa, and it sits in the middle of the circle.

See our preparation guide for the full method.

Waka and lewena

Kava is graded by which part of the plant is used. Waka is the lateral root — the thin roots branching from the base. Lewena is the basal stump. Waka is harder to harvest and more sought after, which is why a lot of kava on the market is a blend of the two.

Ours is 100% waka, from Kadavu, Gau, Savusavu and Rabi.

Noble kava

Kava cultivars are divided into noble and non-noble varieties. Noble cultivars are the ones traditionally selected and grown for drinking over generations. Only noble varieties may be imported into Australia as a food.

Kava in Australia

Kava may be imported into Australia for use as a food under permit from the Office of Drug Control. It is not available for delivery to the Northern Territory, and it is not sold to persons under 18.

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. If you have any health concerns, speak with a qualified health practitioner.