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New to Kava? A Quick Guide

Kava being enjoyed at a nakamal in Vanuatu

What is kava?

Kava is an ancient plant from the South Pacific islands, where it has been prepared as a traditional drink of peace and community for over 3000 years. Learn more about the plant, drink and its effects →

Like wine or coffee, kava comes in different cultivars, each with its own character. Learn what makes the best cultivars →

And like any food product, quality matters enormously. See why processing matters →

What does kava do?

The kava experience depends on your choice of cultivar and how you prepare and consume it.

In Pacific island cultures, kava has long been enjoyed for its calming, grounding qualities and its ability to foster unhurried conversation. It induces sociability and a feeling of harmony without diminishing mental clarity or awareness. Many people describe it as helping them slow down and be present.

"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. The altered state of consciousness is subtle and mild. Noise, interference with thought processes, bright lights, movement, all hinder the effect, the mildly altered stream of thought. The effect is maintained only if there is peace and quiet." — Prof. Robert J. Gregory, Massey University, New Zealand

Many people like to compare drinking kava to the opposite of drinking coffee. Both are social drinks. While coffee gives a mild buzz and kick of energy, kava is known for its gentle calming qualities. It's regulated as a food product in New Zealand.

Traditional kava preparation
Which form of kava should I choose?

We offer kava in two forms, each with its own advantages. We don't recommend kava pills or extracts. Here's why →

Traditional Grind Dried, ground root. You 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.
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.

For a full comparison of kava forms, see our guide →

We've spent over a decade obsessing over one thing: offering shelf-stable kava that comes as close as possible to drinking it fresh in Vanuatu. Every batch is processed from freshly harvested roots, carefully cleaned and dried using techniques that preserve the character of green kava while ensuring rigorous food safety. Every batch is backed by full lab analysis. See what makes our kava exceptional →

Which kava should I start with?

These are our most popular starting points, each with a distinct character.

Instant Green Our flagship instant blend. Balanced, subtly uplifting, fast-acting. Smooth, easy to drink, and a great introduction to kava.
Melo Melo (traditional or instant) A favourite across Vanuatu. Rich and complex, with a balanced character known for pleasant brightness and mellow depth. Quick onset, extended duration.
Palarasul (traditional or instant) Perhaps our smoothest cultivar. Exceptionally smooth and uplifting. Light, floral, peaceful. Quick onset, clean finish. Great for social or creative sessions.
Borogoru (traditional or instant) Warm, steady, deeply mellow. Builds slowly and lasts. Best for evening wind-down.
Pacific Elixir (traditional grind) Our flagship blend. Known for pleasant brightness with mellow depth. Potent yet versatile and well-balanced.

What's the difference? Single cultivars like Melo Melo or Palarasul deliver a consistent, specific character every time. Our blends (Pacific Elixir and Instant Green) may vary slightly between batches depending on cultivar availability.

Once you know what you like, explore our other cultivars: Kelai, Bir Kar, Silesse, and occasional rare editions. Browse all cultivars →

Kava processing at Root and Pestle facility in Vanuatu
How to prepare and drink kava

Traditional preparation involves kneading dried root powder in water and straining. It's a calming ritual in itself, and delivers the fullest experience.

Instant preparation is simpler: stir powder into water and drink.

Our complete preparation guide shows you exactly how to make perfect kava, with video. For session tips, see how to make your kava session great.

Still have questions?

See our FAQ or browse the Kava Blog for more. If you have specific questions, feel free to get in touch.

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