Bir Kar Single Cultivar Traditional Kava
Santo's Red-Stemmed Cultivar: Fast, Clean, Two-Stage
Named after its distinctive reddish stems ("kar" means red), Bir Kar is a rare cultivar grown exclusively in the heartland of Espiritu Santo. Known for its two-stage character—an initial cerebral brightness followed by pleasant body relaxation—Bir Kar is particularly good for refreshing mind and body after a long day, or for joyful socialising when you don't want effects that linger late into the night.
Character: Fast onset with relatively short duration. The two-stage experience starts with a clear, noticeable cerebral lift—not sharp or jittery—then settles into pleasant body relaxation. Balanced-heady with a distinct physical presence that isn't heavy or enveloping. Popular for shorter sessions and social gatherings.
Taste & Aroma: Aromatic profile with notes of roasted peanuts, black pepper, and dark chocolate.
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: Espiritu Santo, Vanuatu
Chemotype: 423156
Processing: Fully washed, peeled, temperature-controlled drying
Laterals-to-stump: Natural (30-70%)
Kavalactone Ratios (batch averages):
K to DHM: 3.77
K to DHK: 1.15
DHK to Y: 1.67
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.
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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