Puariki Single Cultivar Traditional Kava
Tongoa's Pride: Blissful, Balanced, Exceptionally Rare
Exclusive to the remote, fertile island of Tongoa, Puariki is one of Vanuatu's most prized cultivars—described by those who've tried it as "like Kelai, but with an extra engine." This balanced cultivar is known for an intensely pleasant start followed by fascinating depth, with a remarkably clean character and an exceptionally fresh feeling the next morning.
Read our dedicated blog post about Puariki, Tongoa, and the extraordinary efforts required to source this rare cultivar.
Character: Intensely pleasant with a clearly uplifting start and fascinating depth—not overpowering, just exceptional. Quick onset with moderate lift and crispness, then gently mellowing—bridges heady and heavy beautifully. Remarkably clean even after strong sessions. Shorter duration but deeply satisfying while it lasts. Exceptionally smooth and easy to drink shell after shell.
Taste & Aroma: Fresh and zesty. Smooth and creamy with notes of nuts, butter, and vanilla oatmeal.
Traditional Grind Format: Peeled kava root ground into a medium-grind powder. Contains the root's indigestible fibres, so it needs to be kneaded and strained before drinking using a strainer bag.
Origin: Tongoa, Vanuatu
Chemotype: 423165
Processing: Fully washed, peeled, temperature-controlled drying
Laterals-to-stump: Natural (30-70%)
Kavalactone Ratios (batch averages):
K to DHM: 4.95 (wide variability)
K to DHK: 1.25
DHK to Y: 2.25
What do these ratios mean? →
Preparation: Use ~16g per cup with 200-250ml water. Start with 2-3 cups per session. Complete preparation guide.
Note: Traditional grind offers fuller aroma and flavour complexity. For a convenient no-strain option, try our instant kava range. Learn more about kava forms.
Choose options
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