We know our kava. The Kava Society (originally founded as the University of Auckland Kava Appreciation 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 numerous 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 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.
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.
Our kava is strong. 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.
Our kava is fresh. We import small vacuum-sealed 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.
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 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.
All of our kavas are packed in durable, air-tight zip-lock bags in a registered food grade facility in Auckland. Prior to being packed into smaller bags, our kavas are stored in vacuum-sealed containers to ensure freshness and high potency. Our food safety system has been assessed by Telarc Ltd and it meets the requirements for a HACCP based food safety system.
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. 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 and 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.