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 and preparation. The specific effects depend on the cultivar, the plant's potency and the method of consumption. In Pacific cultures, people share kava when they want to slow down, stay present, and talk for a while.
The opposite of coffee. Both are social drinks, but they fit different parts of the day. Coffee is a morning drink. Kava is shared in the afternoon and evening. 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 the coarse, woody fibres before drinking. The classic method. Full flavour, full aroma, and a quiet ritual in the preparation. More economical too.
Shop Traditional Grind
Instant Kava
Made from freshly harvested kava roots with the coarse, woody fibres removed before drying, then milled into an ultra-fine powder. Just stir into water and drink. No straining, no kneading. The convenient option.
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.
Pacific drinkers who like shorter sessions, whether for contemplation or after-work socialising, often prefer heady cultivars at thicker concentrations. Heavier cultivars, or more diluted preparations, are usually drunk later at night and over longer sessions.
Heady
Uplifting, cerebral, sociable. Fast onset, clean finish. Good for daytime, social occasions, or creative work. 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 simplest place to start.
Shop Instant Green
Melo Melo
Our bestselling single cultivar, and a great starting point. A pleasant lift that settles into something warm and mellow. Bitter-sweet and creamy, easy to drink.
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. A settling-in kava, not a showy one.
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.
Our flagship blend, crafted from premium Vanuatu cultivars for consistency and broad appeal. Bright, calming, well-rounded. A reliable 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 drinkers who prefer kava on the calmer end, and with 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, 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.
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 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.
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.
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