New to Kava?
A quick guide to the Pacific's most remarkable plant
What's Kava?
Kava is both a plant (Piper methysticum) and the traditional Pacific drink of peace made from its roots. For over 3000 years, Pacific Island cultures have gathered around kava bowls for ceremony and conversation — a time for quiet reflection and peaceful connection.
Today, people across the world choose kava as their natural social beverage for unwinding, connecting, and slowing down. Like wine or coffee, kava comes in different cultivars, each with its own character. And like any food product, quality matters enormously.
What Does Kava Do?
A natural way to unwind. In Pacific island cultures, kava has long been enjoyed for its calming, grounding qualities and its ability to foster unhurried conversation.
Effects vary by cultivar. The specific effects depend on the cultivar, the plant's potency and the method of consumption. Generally speaking, kava is known as a relaxing drink that can induce sociability and a feeling of harmony without diminishing mental clarity or awareness. Many people describe it as helping them slow down and be present.
The opposite of coffee. Both are social drinks — but while coffee gives a mild buzz and kick of energy, kava is known for its gentle calming qualities. It is regulated as a food product in New Zealand.
"Kava makes you quiet and able to think and listen to your thoughts. Your mind opens to what has been and should be done. The subjective feeling after kava is to be slowed down, for it almost forces one to become quiet. Sometimes it is like entering a light relaxed dream."
— Prof. Robert J. Gregory, Massey University, New Zealand
We offer kava in two forms, both containing only one ingredient: dried kava root.
Which Form of Kava Should I Choose?
For a detailed comparison of traditional grind vs. instant kava, see our guide to types and forms →
Traditional Grind
Dried, ground root. Knead it in water and strain with a strainer bag to remove coarse, woody fibres before drinking. The classic method — fullest flavour and experience, more economical.
Shop Traditional Grind
Instant Kava
Made from freshly harvested kava roots with coarse, woody fibres removed, then dried and milled into an ultra-fine powder. Just mix with water and drink. No straining required. Smoother and more convenient.
Shop Instant KavaKava Types and Cultivars
Kava comes in dozens of cultivars, distinct varieties developed over centuries by Pacific Island farmers selecting for specific effects, flavours, and characters. Each one is genuinely different. We also craft some of our blends specifically to deliver a defined character profile. The three broad types below will help you choose. You can read more about our range of cultivars here.
Heady
Uplifting, cerebral, sociable. Quick to take effect with a clean finish. Good for daytime, social occasions, or creative work when you want clarity without heaviness. Single cultivar favourites: Kelai, Palarasul, Bir Kar.
Balanced
The most versatile type. Uplifting brightness with gentle relaxation. The best starting point for newcomers and a reliable everyday choice. Our Pacific Elixir and Instant Green blends are crafted specifically for this profile. Single cultivar favourite: Melo Melo.
Heavy
Grounding, mellow, slow-building. More of a physical experience than a cerebral one. Best saved for evenings when you have nowhere to be. Our Nakamal Nights blend is built specifically for this profile. Single cultivar favourite: Borogoru.
Not sure where to start? These three are our most popular choices for newcomers.
Recommended for Beginners
Instant Green
Our flagship instant blend. Bright, balanced, and easy to prepare — just stir into water and drink. The easiest way to start your kava journey.
Shop Instant Green
Melo Melo
Our bestselling single cultivar, and a great starting point. A bright, pleasant lift that settles into something warm and mellow — versatile, forgiving, and easy to enjoy.
Shop Melo MeloPalarasul
Our first single cultivar, and still a personal favourite. Clean, uplifting character with gentle mellowness — peaceful without being heavy.
Shop PalarasulThe Rest of Our Range
Each cultivar and blend has its own character. Single cultivars deliver a consistent profile every time, while blends may vary slightly between batches depending on cultivar availability. Tap any product below to learn more.
A rare cultivar from the heartland of Espiritu Santo, named for its distinctive reddish stems. Bir Kar's character unfolds in two clear stages: a brisk, clear-headed brightness followed by pleasant body relaxation. The whole thing moves quickly, making it well-suited to shorter sessions and social gatherings.
From the island of Tongoa, Puariki was devastated by Cyclone Pam in 2015 and survives in very limited quantities. What remains is exceptional: outstanding heady character, fast-acting and clean, with a smooth finish that bridges brightness and gentle depth. Limited supply.
One of the most popular kava cultivars in Vanuatu, Borogoru is a slow builder. Its character deepens over 30 to 45 minutes into something warm, mellow, and grounding — traditionally enjoyed in the late afternoon or after physical effort. This is kava you settle into rather than one that announces itself.
Described by Dr Vincent Lebot as "the pinnacle achievement" of cultivar selection, Kelai is intensely heady with fast onset and minimal body heaviness. Prized on Epi and rarely exported, it's a favourite for social gatherings and unwinding after demanding days.
A creeper from the rugged bushlands of Malekula, Silesse starts modestly and builds steadily. Its character deepens throughout the session into something contemplative and immersive. Conversation tends to quieten. Best suited to solo evenings and quiet reflection rather than social settings.
Our flagship blend, crafted from premium Vanuatu cultivars for consistency and broad appeal. Pacific Elixir combines pleasant uplifting brightness with peaceful calmness and gentle relaxation — a well-rounded starting point before exploring single cultivars. Deceptively potent despite its light colour.
Made entirely from basal roots of heavier noble cultivars — the opposite end of the root system from Mighty Roots. Where most of our range has some degree of mental brightness, Nakamal Nights has very little. Deep, soothing body character with gentle relaxation — popular with people who prefer kava on the calmer, less euphoric end, and those who drink in the evening with a good night's sleep in mind.
A 100% lateral roots blend from Melo Melo and Borogoru — pure potency and extra bitter taste. Lateral roots carry the highest kavalactone concentration and are richest in kavain, delivering rapid cerebral intensity that settles into a satisfying, balanced finish. The strongest kava in our range. Not for beginners.
How to Prepare Kava
Traditional preparation involves kneading dried root powder in water and straining out the woody fibres. It takes about five minutes and becomes a calming ritual in itself.
Instant kava is simpler: stir into water and drink.
Our complete preparation guide shows you exactly how to make perfect kava — with video and session tips for a great experience from your very first shell.
Featured collection
Our Kava Range
Still Have Questions?
Kava is our biggest passion, and we're always happy to chat about it. Browse our FAQ, explore the Kava Blog, or get in touch — we'd love to help you find the right kava.
Organically Grown Noble Kava
100% pure noble kava from pristine volcanic soils. Our farmers cultivate specific single cultivars in regions best suited for each variety. Each plant matures for 3-5+ years using traditional organic farming methods passed down through generations.
Always Processed from Fresh
Each batch is exclusively made from kava harvested to order - never old village-dried stock. All plants undergo rigorous assessment: cultivar verification, freshness inspection, contamination screening, and rejection of any unhealthy or damaged roots.
Cleaned and dried to fresh perfection
Freshly harvested roots are meticulously cleaned and dried using proprietary methods. The process preserves maximum potency, fresh aroma, and bioactive compounds, while ensuring food safety. Each batch is immediately vacuum-sealed or nitrogen-flushed, locking in peak freshness.
Every Batch Tested
Our kava undergoes comprehensive testing using UHPLC analysis (superior to standard HPLC), full microbiological screening, and chemotype verification in an advanced in-house laboratory. Every batch comes with complete certificates of analysis and exceeds FSANZ Standard 2.6.3 requirements.
Check out our Certificates of Analysis