Puariki Traditional Kava limited edition pouch, Root & Pestle, front

Puariki cultivar card — single cultivar traditional grind

Farmers working in a kava plantation in Vanuatu

Kava farmer standing among kava plants in Vanuatu

How to make traditional kava in four steps: add water to kava in a strainer bag, knead, squeeze, serve in shells

Puariki Single Cultivar Traditional Kava

Name: Puariki Single Cultivar Traditional Kava
Rating: 4.86 (14 reviews)

$104.98 NZD

Size:

250g~15 cups$104.98500g~30 cupsSave 5%$199.99

Variant

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.

Best kava I've ever tried. Smooth, butterscotch taste, blissful effects.
The euphoria and overall feeling of this kava is unrivalled. 10/10 top notch.
A nice gentle buzz, and a reasonably smooth taste.

5 stars: 13 (93%)
4 stars: 0 (0%)
3 stars: 1 (7%)
2 stars: 0 (0%)
1 star: 0 (0%)

Good stuff, gives a nice buzz.

Love it. It’s my new favourite.

Very nice

Really appreciate the opportunity to sample this variety. As always great quality and service.

Doesn't really have the same effect as the go-to of mine, the orange and green ones.Seems more like a Kava for people who like the flavor and not the experience

I bought Puariki as a fallback option when I couldn't find Kelai, and it did not disappoint. It's a nice gentle buzz, and a reasonably smooth taste.

Very good and enjoyable

From Four Shells to home

First tried Puariki at Four Shells in Auckland and really enjoyed it. Had to get some for home. The effects are excellent out of the box, but I've been experimenting and found using less water than suggested (maybe 2/3) and drinking each shell quickly rather than sipping makes a difference. Effects come on faster and feel stronger - probably closer to how they drink it fresh in Vanuatu. Bit harder to get down but worth trying. [Originally submitted via previous website]

Best I've ever had

not exaggerating - this is the best kava i've ever tried. smooth, butterscotch taste, blissful effects. please bring more to nz 🙏 [Originally submitted via previous website]

Get it if you can

If you see this in stock, buy it. There's a reason it sells out. Smooth, strong effects, clean feeling. [Originally submitted via previous website]

Lives up to reputation

Finally got to try this after hearing about it. It's as good as people say. The euphoria is different from other kavas I've had. [Originally submitted via previous website]

Worth every cent

Ordered the second I saw it was available. Puariki has a reputation for good reason. The euphoria is different from other kavas. Get it if you can. [Originally submitted via previous website]

Unrivalled euphoria - top notch

Like a dog doing excited tippy-taps when you say WALKIES I was delighted to find 500g of Puariki. The colour was slightly more yellow than expected. The first significant thing I noticed was the taste - one of the easiest drinking cultivars I've ever had with slight zest, smooth creaminess and hints of butter. Without a doubt the most potent anti-anxiety/tension kava I've ever had. Puariki took away any stress or tension that I truly didn't even know was there. The effects were potently blissful with a heady euphoria and more depth than expected. I told my friend 'I finally understand what the word mystical means'. The euphoria and overall feeling of this kava is unrivalled. 10/10 top notch. Originally posted on the Kava Forums

Insanely good - fasten your seatbelt

This 100g kava sample came with instructions to 'Fasten your seatbelt' and boy was it necessary. Very fine grind size. The kava is smooth and the taste is quite mild. Made up some of the smoothest kava I've had in a very long time. This kava had me leaning, clenching my jaw, and finding it difficult to pronounce any words. I fell asleep in seconds. One thing that really stood out is how I felt the next morning - I woke up more refreshed than I have in a long time from any kava. It's a balanced leaning heady kava that we should all bug Henry for relentlessly until he carries it. Originally posted on the Kava Forums

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 at least three years using traditional organic farming methods passed down through generations.

Line icon of a harvested kava plant in a cart being inspected with a magnifying glass

Always Processed from Fresh

Each batch is made from kava harvested to order, never from old village-dried stock. Plants are inspected on arrival for the right cultivar, for freshness, and for contamination. Anything that doesn’t pass is rejected.

Line icon of a lab technician examining kava roots

Cleaned and Dried to Fresh Perfection

Freshly harvested roots are meticulously cleaned and dried using bespoke methods developed over years of research and refinement. The process preserves potency, fresh aroma, and active compounds. Each batch is then vacuum-sealed or nitrogen-flushed to lock in freshness.

Line icon of a sealed kava bag with a certification check mark

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