Why Choose Our Kava
Our Vision
Our kava shop has grown organically out of our informal Auckland University Kava Society (you can read about our story here). From the beginning of our kava journey, we've had one simple goal: to enjoy amazing, authentic kava without needing to travel to remote islands of the South Pacific. Traditionally, kava was prepared using the finest noble cultivar and mature, healthy plants. It was consumed fresh, immediately after harvest, following meticulous cleaning and peeling, retaining a fresh, pleasant aroma and rich properties. It is still consumed this way in traditional communities in Vanuatu. Unfortunately, nothing resembling this quality experience was available in New Zealand. We've decided to change it.
Working with our Vanuatu friends and through years of research and development, we've created kava powders as close to the authentic traditional green kava experience as modern technology allows. They aren't just authentic; they are also clean, consistent, and adhere to the strictest food safety requirements, with all of our batches produced in a dedicated HACCP facility. Kava is our biggest passion, and we are strongly committed to supporting a healthy and sustainable kava industry, as well as promoting beneficial and responsible kava consumption in New Zealand and beyond.
We know our kava. And we take it seriously.
The Kava Society was created in 2011 by a group of scholars and doctoral students interested not just in enjoying fine kava, but also studying the plant and its culture of consumption, as well as understanding what makes a great kava. It has taken us mountains of samples, hundreds of sampling sessions and thousands of kilometres of travels around the Pacific to select the rare and unique kavas we currently drink and sell. We are in close contact with kava growers and processors, and can trace every kava batch to its source. We strongly believe that these truly are the best kavas available from anywhere in the world.
Each batch of our kava is expertly processed to ensure the right balance between tradition and technology.
Our partners on the islands work on our orders with the utmost care and craftsmanship. We select some of the finest and most desirable cultivars and source them from areas most suitable for their cultivation. Traditionally kava was consumed as fresh and as clean, and as well-peeled as possible to ensure pleasant effects, improve flavour and maximise the enjoyment of the plant. We agree with these principles and pay extra attention to ensure that our kava is always meticulously peeled, washed and dried as soon after harvest as possible. To lock in as much freshness and potency as possible, most of our suppliers use dedicated modern dehydrators capable of rapidly drying kava without overheating it or exposing it to environmental degradation. All of these steps take place in dedicated, food grade, HACCP certified facilities to ensure strict hygiene. While not cheap, this way of processing kava not only guarantees safety, but also ensures phenomenal quality, unmatched effects, as well as superior flavour and aroma.
All of our kavas are packed in durable, air-tight zip-lock bags and are either vacuum sealed or purged with nitrogen to ensure maximum freshness.
Our kava is strong and fresh.
We make sure that all our kavas are made from mature, strong plants. Furthermore, we use absolutely no fillers and make sure our kava is always meticulously cleaned and fresh. In result, our kava is not only of better quality, but also more potent per gram than most (if not all) powders sold around New Zealand. A small amount of our powder can go a long way.
We import small vacuum-sealed or nitrogen flushed batches of freshly harvested and processed kava using the fastest airfreight shipping options possible. While this means extra costs, we believe it's worth it as this way we don't just dramatically reduce the risk of spoilage or mould, but also get to enjoy kava with unsurpassed freshness, potency and aroma.
Our kava is organically grown.
Our kava is sourced from kava farmers working on their own (or their community’s) land located in a number of pristine and fertile kava growing regions of the South Pacific. The kava is grown using traditional methods without any chemical fertilisers, pesticides or herbicides. We know that the kava plant absorbs its surroundings, so the clean air, fertile volcanic soil and clean water are essential elements responsible for our kava’s purity, character and effects. To guarantee quality and consistency, our processing partners only work with freshly harvested/green plants supplied by the farmers. The green plants are then meticulously cleaned using purified rain water and expertly dried to lock in as much freshness and unique cultivar characteristics as possible.
Our plant quality expert visiting a kava garden on the island of Espiritu Santo, Vanuatu
We are passionate about kava science.
We not only carefully study kava, but also support and participate in various kava research projects in New Zealand and overseas. Over the years we've organised a number of academic workshops, seminars and conferences on kava. Furthermore, we are in regular contact with some of the key kava researchers. You can be assured that we select our kavas in accordance with the latest kava science and the recommendations of the leading kava experts.
We are very proud to be New Zealand's first Certified Noble Kava Vendor.
Our kavas are regularly tested and approved using methods accepted by the U.S. Pharmacopeial Convention and leading kava experts. This way we know that we only consume and sell noble and pure kava roots of outstanding quality and potency. You can read about the importance of ensuring nobility and purity here.
We are committed to supporting kava farmers and a healthy kava industry.
By buying our kava products you not only support our kava growing friends across the Pacific, but also assist us in our research activities, as well as our mission of kava advocacy and promotion of responsible kava consumption in New Zealand and around the world.
Our single cultivar range has afforded local growers to value-add to their raw products based on the quality of their harvest and their cultivation skills as well as the opportunity to showcase cultivars that have been unique to their region and local customs.
One of the farmers supplying kava for our Single Cultivar Range proudly standing in the middle of a beautiful kava garden located on the island of Espiritu Santo, Vanuatu.
Our kava is fully compliant with the New Zealand Food Standard (2.6.3) for kava.
This means that we only sell kava in its pure and traditional form, with no adulterants, no aerial parts of the kava plant and no additives. This also means all our kava is processed in strict adherence to the highest standards of food safety and hygiene. To the best of our knowledge we are the first kava vendor in New Zealand to meaningfully guarantee full compliance with these important regulatory requirements.
We offer quick shipping and a very knowledgeable, friendly customer service.
We are always there to answer any questions you might have. Kava is our passion and we will be very happy to share it with you.
