Kava, a traditional drink consumed for hundreds of years by Pacific Islanders, has been gaining popularity recently in Australia and around the world as a natural alternative for stress relief and as a sleep aid. If you’re new to kava and want a brief introduction, please see our Article: Kava 101 – An Introduction to Kava.

 

Fijian Kava Powder vs Vanuatu Kava Powder – Which Is The Best Kava Root Powder?

Funnily enough, despite our company being called Kava Vanuatu, we’re often asked if Fijian kava powder is better than Vanuatu kava powder. People are curious to know where the best kava powder comes from and where you can buy the best kava powder in Australia. Others have more specific questions and want to know where the best ground kava powder or where the best instant kava powder comes from. Among kava enthusiasts, Vanuatu kava is largely considered to be the strongest kava available.

For newcomers to Kava, Fijian kava plants and Vanuatu kava plants are not the only types of kava plant; there are over one hundred different species of kava cultivated across many nations throughout the Pacific, including Hawaii, Tonga, and Samoa. Interestingly, around 70% of all kava plant species throughout the world are from Vanuatu, which is why many ethnobotanists believe the kava plant (as it is known today) originated in Vanuatu. In fact, there are more unique species of kava just on the Vanuatu island of Pentecost than any other individual Pacific Island country – including Fiji.

When it comes to selecting a kava root powder, there are many different types available on the market to choose from – but they are anything but equal. In fact, there can be a very big difference between the quality and strength of say a Fijian kava root powder compared with Vanuatu kava root powder – but it’s not directly related to the country of origin, rather, it is largely dependent upon the manufacturing process and variety of kava.

 

 

Finding The Best Kava To Buy In Australia

Noble kava plant varieties, more colloquially known as “drinking” kava varieties, are regularly consumed as traditional social drinks throughout the pacific. Noble kava plant varieties from Vanuatu, Fiji and other Pacific Island countries enjoy a long history of regular and safe use, and they are the only kava variety Australia permits to be imported for consumption. Naturally then, in broad terms, the best kava variety available to purchase in Australia is in the form of a Noble kava powder.

The moment any plant is harvested, it begins to degrade – the same is true for the kava plant. Exposure to UV-light from the sun combined with the oxidating properties of oxygen contained in the air, work to degrade the organoleptic qualities of kava. Kavalactones, the precious bioactive compounds contained in the kava plant, rapidly degrade with direct exposure to the elements. So, once a kava plant is harvested, the longer it is exposed to environmental elements such as the sun and air, the greater that degradation becomes. That’s why it is essential that kava is processed immediately after harvest with minimum exposure to the elements – this principle extends to any further processing and of course packaging.

Please keep in mind if you’re looking to buy premium kava, make sure you don’t buy a sun-dried kava powder! Sun-drying kava is the cheapest drying option available, unfortunately, it is also one of the worst methods for drying a kava plant. The sun-drying process takes days, whereby the kava plant repeatedly collects and evaporates moisture, while exposed to the air, as it is repeatedly heated and cooled as it turns from night to day.

 

Kava Vanuatu – Australia’s Best Kava Powder?

The process of creating a premium kava powder begins with the cultivation and harvesting of the kava plant. At Kava Vanuatu our Kava is 100% organic, and our sustainable farming methods follow Good Agricultural and Collection Practices (GACP) to ensure the highest quality kava plants are harvested. We use only Noble kava which is verified by both the Department of Biosecurity Vanuatu and Australian Biosecurity.

At Kava Vanuatu we pride ourselves on producing the finest kava powder available. Importantly, our processing facility is uniquely situated only a few kilometres away from our farms, where we process our Kava directly at the source immediately after harvest. Unlike other manufacturers, we do not sun dry our kava in the open environment; our processing method and facility is specifically designed to safeguard the hygienic and organoleptic quality of our kava – to prevent the degradation of kavalactones.

Our kava is processed using state-of-the-art facilities that conform to current Good Manufacturing Practices (cGMP) and our facility is HACCP certified – which means we can consistently provide premium quality kava powder! When you buy kava powder from Kava Vanuatu, you can trust that you are getting a premium product that has been grown, harvested, and processed to the highest standards. Whether you prefer instant kava powder or traditional ground kava to create your perfect kava drink, you can feel confident that our premium kava powder is pure, hygenic, and of the highest quality.

As leading manufacturers of 100% pure organic noble kava root powder, our dedicated team work tirelessly to ensure our customers receive consistently superior products. So, if you would like to learn more about our kava powders, contact Kava Vanuatu today at contact@kavavanuatu.com.au

 

Do you want to learn more about what Kava is? Understanding the roots of kava and the history and traditions linked to Kava highlights how popularity has grown for Kava in Australia and on an international scale. 

Having an in-depth understanding of the health benefits and effects of consuming kava is essential when you are wanting to try kava for the first time or expand your knowledge of its history, background and benefits. 

What Is Kava? 

Kava is an ancient plant that has been transformed to be consumed as a traditional drink for a variety of reasons, such as social situations, cultural purposes, medicinal benefits and political reasons.  Kava is often referred to in terms of a kava beverage, kava roots or kava powder. The kava plant, Piper methysticum, is from the Pepper family Piperaceae which is used for Kava in Australia

There is a wide range of kava cultivars that differ in their appearances, flavours, and psychoactive properties and are differentiated by the way they grow and the environment they require. At Kava Vanuatu, our products are made from 100% dried noble kava root, buy kava powder online to try a kava drink today!

The History Of Kava 

Kava originated from Melanesia and consequently extended throughout the islands of the South Pacific. Kava has grown in popularity all over the world due to its meaning and benefits, although Kava was traditionally used in cultural settings and during rituals and ceremonies in communities throughout Melanesia, Polynesia, and Micronesia as well as in Fiji and Vanuatu for over 1000 years. Kava is often viewed as a symbol of cultural and national identity within these countries and communities due to the importance and meaning, and practices behind the drink. 

Buy kava Australia through the online shop at Kava Vanuatu, whether you are wanting to try an instant kava powder due to the convenience of the sachets or are wanting to try the ground powder from the kava noble root, Kava Vanuatu has both options on offer. 

kava in Australia

Benefits And Effects Of Drinking Kava

You may have heard of Kava due to the health benefits it offers, which is one of the reasons why Kava in Australia is growing in popularity. Generally, Kava’s effects depend on the type of Kava cultivar, the potency and the way the kava beverage is prepared. 

The health benefits of consuming Kava can include relief from the pain related to headaches and toothaches, relief from urinary pain, relief from constipation and gastrointestinal upsets, and insomnia relief are just a few of the health benefits people may experience from consuming kava. 

Many people find the effects of Kava include a sense of relaxation and tranquillity which enhances their well-being through clarifying the mind and relieving fatigue, ideal for individual circumstances where peaceful contemplation is promoted. In social and cultural situations, people believe that Kava can induce meaningful conversations with their friends and family alongside peaceful cooperation and exchanges. 

Kava has been a vital aspect of tradition and culture in communities within the Pacific islands for its health and medical benefits with its potential to treat health issues such as anxiety and stress. Today, many people consume Kava in Australia as a refreshing and relaxing beverage without the aim of assisting with health concerns. 

No matter whether you are wanting to see if Kava assists with your health concerns or you are wanting to consume Kava in a social setting, buy kava powder online here at Kava Vanuatu, to try it yourself!

Different Types Of Kava Products

At Kava Vanuatu, we offer two varieties of Kava to be consumed as beverages, these being instant kava and ground kava powder. Instant kava powder is provided in individually manufactured sachets, providing a quick and easy way to prepare your Kava drink. Ground kava powder requires you to manually strain the kava during the preparation process. Both instant kava powder and ground kava create high-quality Kava beverages accredited to Kava plants being processed directly after being harvested to retain freshness and strict quality control testing. 

To buy kava Australia, visit our online shop to find out more about the two kava beverage options and experience a kava drink for yourself!

kava in Australia 

Are You Ready To Try Kava? – Buy Kava Australia!

Kava has a long history of consumption within the South Pacific Islands and is considered a healthy and enjoyable beverage. As more and more people, both in Australia and abroad, try kava for the first time, they are also discovering why this “elixir of the pacific” is held with such reverence.

Here at Kava Vanuatu, our history goes back to 1995 when a group of like-minded individuals from various kava growing regions and islands formulated a plan to establish an organisation that would enable our kava growers to improve their standard of living and social welfare via the sale of their kava – knowing the quality of our kava directly affects the quality of our standard of living.

All our farmers are registered, and the cultivation and collection of kava plant material follow Good Agricultural and Collection Practices (GACP). All of the kava used in our products are export-approved Noble cultivars verified by the department of Biosecurity Vanuatu. Kava Vanuatu’s export facilities strictly conform to current Good Manufacturing Practices (cGMP), and our processing and packaging facility is HACCP certified.

As leading manufacturers of 100% pure organic noble kava root powder, our dedicated team strives to ensure our customers receive consistently superior products. So, if you would like to try our Kava beverages, buy kava powder online through the Kava Vanuatu shop. To learn more about our noble kava root powders, contact Kava Vanuatu today at contact@kavavanuatu.com.au.

You may be wondering…why is a kava strainer bag essential for making kava in Australia from traditional ground kava powder and why its quality is of great importance. 

Transforming ground kava root powder into a fruitful and enjoyable beverage is fairly straightforward on the condition that you have with you ground kava along with a suitable strainer bag. At Kava Vanuatu, our kava powder is made from 100% dried noble kava root. So, buy kava powder online to try a kava drink today utilising our kava strainer bag! If you are unsure of how to prepare and drink kava, check out our article, ‘Kava 101 – An Introduction To Kava’. Utilising an appropriate kava strainer bag will prove to make a tremendous impact on your kava drinking experience.

Key Principles Of Making Traditional Kava

As you may or may not already know, the active ingredients in ground kava powder are not water soluble, meaning the powder will not fully dissolve once the kava has been submerged in water. Therefore, in order to separate the active ingredients from the root particles, you must strenuously agitate the ground roots in water. Now, this is where a strainer bag comes of great use.

Role Of A Kava Strainer Bag

When preparing kava the traditional way using ground kava powder, making use of a kava strainer bag allows you to hydrate, compress and separate the root particles to get the active ingredients in kava released and suspended in the liquid. There are many other ways in which one can filter kava, although having a suitable kava strainer bag present can outstandingly enhance the quality of the filtered beverage.

When kava was first introduced, kava was prepared from fresh roots that had quite large and soft particles that made squeezing and filtering out the natural materials easier and more effective. Now, in much more recent times, those who consume kava in Australia prepare their kava beverages from powdered dried kava roots that carry far smaller particles. 

Optimal Kava Strainer Bag

An optimal kava strainer bag has the capacity to adequately filter out coarse fibres and, at the same time, be strong enough to withstand any pressure from straining. It should be sturdy enough to last many filtering sessions without tearing, stretching or deforming in shape.

Here at Kava Vanuatu, we utilise high-quality, well-made kava strainer bags that are made from food-grade nylon mesh. Importantly, our reusable design and durable stitching ensure your ground kava powder won’t seep out while brewing your kava drink. A traditional high-quality match with your Kava Vanuatu Ground Kava Powder. If you want to try out our kava strainer bags along with our very own kava, buy kava powder online here at Kava Vanuatu to try it yourself!

How To Care For Your Kava Strainer Bag

High-quality nylon mesh filter bags can last for months. Although, some basic care is required to ensure optimal performance and hygiene. The simplest way to care for your strainer bag is to hand wash it using gentle and natural soap and warm water to achieve the best results. If your strainer bag tends to get clogged up with resin and becomes sticky, and no amount of washing seems to work, try submerging your strainer bag in boiling water to dissolve any of the residual resin.

Buy Kava Powder Online – The Kava Vanuatu Difference

Kava has a long history of consumption within the South Pacific Islands and is considered a healthy and enjoyable beverage. As more and more people, both in Australia and abroad, try kava for the first time, they too are discovering for themselves why this “elixir of the pacific” is held with such reverence.

Here at Kava Vanuatu, our history goes back to 1995 when a group of like-minded individuals from various kava growing regions and islands formulated a plan to establish an organisation that would enable our kava growers to improve their standard of living and social welfare via the sale of their kava – knowing the quality of our kava directly affects the quality of our standard of living.

All our farmers are registered, and the cultivation and collection of kava plant material follow Good Agricultural and Collection Practices (GACP). All of the kava used in our products are export-approved Noble cultivars verified by the department of Biosecurity Vanuatu. Kava Vanuatu’s export facilities strictly conform to current Good Manufacturing Practices (cGMP), and our processing and packaging facility is HACCP certified.

As leading manufacturers of 100% pure organic noble kava root powder, our dedicated team strives to ensure our customers receive consistently superior products. So, if you would like to try our Kava beverages, buy kava powder online through the Kava Vanuatu shop. To learn more about our noble kava root powders, contact Kava Vanuatu today at contact@kavavanuatu.com.au.

What is kava?

So, have you just discovered kava and want to try it for the first time? Kava has been used as a traditional beverage for hundreds of years among Pacific Island communities. If you are a first-time kava user and you are after some background behind the amazing, all-natural herb, as well as how to achieve a great kava drinking experience, here is a basic overview of what you need to know.

Kava is a term used interchangeably for the kava plant, dried kava powder, kava drink or kava beverage. There are other names used to refer to kava which originate from and are native to various Pacific Island cultures such as: ava, awa, yati, yagona, sakau, seka, malok, and malogu.

The kava plant is a robust, succulent, well-branching perennial shrub that is a member of the black pepper family Piperaceae. The bioactive ingredients contained in the kava plant are known as kavalactones. Using the roots from the kava plant, a kava drink is made by combining dried kava powder with water, or as is common in Vanuatu, by combining a freshly harvested (and macerated) kava plant with water.

There are well over 100 varieties of the kava plant. These various cultivars may be classified into four different categories – Noble kava varieties, Medicinal kava varieties, Tudei kava varieties and Wichmannii varieties. Noble kava is by far the most popular category of kava and traditionally only Noble kavas have been used for regular consumption. The other kava varieties that are not classified as a Noble kava are not particularly suitable for regular kava drinking.

What are the benefits of kava?

In Vanuatu, kava has traditionally been consumed not only to provide a sense of relaxation and tranquillity but also to help assist with relief from insomnia, headache and toothache pain, urinary pain, muscle relaxation, gastro-intestinal upsets, and constipation relief.

To ensure that you obtain the healthiest and best possible experience when consuming kava, it is best to consume a kava powder that has been cultivated and harvested within an environment that is free from the use of any synthetic chemical herbicides, insecticides, pesticides, or GMOs. Additionally, it is important that the Kava is handled and processed immediately after harvest to avoid spoilage.

When consuming a kava drink that has been prepared using Kava Vanuatu’s noble kava root powders, you are rest assured that it is of the highest quality and standard. Kava Vanuatu’s noble kava root powders undergo strict quality control and continual testing to ensure we consistently provide a premium range of kava powders.

Types of kava powder

There are two main types of Kava powders which are commonly available for consumption:

  1. Ground Noble Kava Root Powder which is commonly referred to as “Ground Kava” or “Traditional Kava” powder.
  2. Instant Use Noble Kava Root Powder which is abbreviated to “Instant Use Kava” or more commonly “Instant Kava” powder.

The key functional difference between Instant Kava and Ground Kava powders is that, as the name might suggest, Instant Kava does not require any type of preparation, brewing or straining. Instant Kava can be simply added to water (or your favourite juice) and after a little stirring, consumed.

In comparison, Ground Kava needs more preparation, initially requiring brewing (with room temperature water) and then subsequently straining before it is consumed. Historically, various types of traditional strainers have been used, however, more recently kava drink makers have emerged to provide an easier and quicker means by which to prepare Ground Kava. 

Kava Vanuatu’s Kava powders use only Noble kava. At Kava Vanuatu, we grow and process our own kava at the source and can rightfully brag that we have complete supply chain traceability.

As with other plants, once a kava plant is harvested, the longer it is exposed to the elements, such as the sun, the more the kava degrades losing its freshness. At Kava Vanuatu we do NOT sun dry our kava, instead our noble kava roots are specially processed immediately after harvest to retain freshness. Kava Vanuatu’s 100% organic Ground kava powder is processed to the highest quality standard, resulting in a noticeably better and less bitter tasting kava powder. Some other kava manufacturers dry their kava on the ground in full light of the sun, resulting in a much poorer quality kava – which is why they sometimes offer their kava at a discount.

As with our Ground Noble Kava Root Powder, Kava Vanuatu’s Instant Use Noble Kava Root Powder is processed immediately after harvest to retain freshness. Our Instant kava powder is manufactured using Kava Vanuatu’s proprietary processing method, which maximises bioavailability and conveniently negates the need for any straining. Compositionally, the average particle size of our Instant Kava powder is much smaller than the Ground Kava powder, and, unlike many other Instant Kava powder products on the market, Kava Vanuatu’s Instant Use Kava is less fibrous.  

Noble kava root

How to prepare kava

So now you have bought your kava – how do you prepare it?

Everyone has their own preferences for preparing and consuming kava. Some like to prepare Ground kava in a traditional ceremonial bowl, while others enjoy adding their Instant kava to some ice-cream! After some experimentation, you’ll find your preferred method. But here’s a few ideas to get you started…

For those who have time to prepare their kava drink, the following method is tried and true:

Place an empty straining bag into a bowl and add in 10g of kava powder. Pour 250mL of water (at room temperature) into the straining bag and allow it to sit for 5-10 minutes. Lift the bag slightly and twist the top of the bag closed to allow any excess air out. Begin to knead the straining bag in the bowl until you see the liquid change in colour from light to heavy brown. Lift the bag out of the bowl and squeeze to remove any excess liquid. Pour into a cup to serve. For those who prefer a weaker or stronger brew, the ratio of kava powder to water can be adjusted to suit your own preference.

If you are someone who is a little more pressed for time or don’t like getting your hands wet kneading, you may want to consider purchasing one of the kava drink makers which we stock. For the more frequent or serious kava consumer we recommend the following kava drink maker.

Alternatively, many household appliances can be readily used to help prepare your ground kava. For example, the same quantity of Ground kava powder and water can be placed into a blender and mixed for a couple of minutes and then passed through a household strainer of some sort.

TIP: do not use boiling water to accelerate the brewing process, the liquid will thicken making it too viscous to drink.

The best thing about Instant Kava powder is its convenience! If it is properly manufactured, there’s no need for any straining and you can simply mix it with your preferred drink (or food) and enjoy.

Adding one or two of Kava Vanuatu’s Instant Kava sachets (2.5 g to 5 g of Instant Kava) with a cup of 200 mL of water (or juice), for example, is a good place to start. Again, you can adjust the ratio of Instant Kava to water up or down to make a weaker or stronger brew.

Some people thoroughly enjoy the taste of Kava, however, for newcomers it’s probably more of an acquired taste. For those who like to mask the slightly bitter taste of Kava, combining it with citrus and berry flavours works very well. It might seem unimaginable to some newcomers, however, in time many regular kava drinkers come to appreciate the taste and texture complexities of a kava drink in the same way that coffee drinkers do.

Noble kava root

The Kava Vanuatu Difference

Kava has a long history of consumption within the South Pacific Islands and is considered a healthy and enjoyable beverage. As more and more people, both in Australia and abroad, try kava for the first time, they too are discovering for themselves why this “elixir of the pacific” is held with such reverence.

Here at Kava Vanuatu, our history goes back to 1995 when a group of like-minded individuals from various kava growing regions and islands formulated a plan to establish an organisation that would enable our kava growers to improve their standard of living and social welfare via the sale of their kava – knowing that the quality of our kava directly affects the quality of our standard of living.

All our farmers are registered, and the cultivation and collection of kava plant material follow Good Agricultural and Collection Practices (GACP). All of the kava used in our products are export-approved Noble cultivars verified by the department of Biosecurity Vanuatu. Kava Vanuatu’s export facilities strictly conform to current Good Manufacturing Practices (cGMP), and our processing and packaging facility is HACCP certified.

As leading manufacturers of 100% pure organic noble kava root powder, our dedicated team work tirelessly to ensure our customers receive consistently superior products. So, if you would like to learn more about our kava powders, contact Kava Vanuatu today at contact@kavavanuatu.com.au

Your first thought might be… insomnia on a relaxing tropical island? It’s not surprising that some people, at times, have difficulty sleeping. In fact, a recent report from the Sleep Health Foundation Australia (“Rise and try to shine: the social and economic costs of sleep disorders”) estimates that 1 in 10 Australians have a sleep disorder that can substantially affect their well-being, safety, and productivity. However, the association of a sleep disorder such as insomnia with people living on a tropical island is probably a little more surprising. Nonetheless, kava has been used for centuries as a traditional remedy to help aid in the treatment of insomnia. Ni-Vanuatu people reportedly consume kava drinks both to help induce sleep and to help ensure a more rested sleep.

What is insomnia?

Insomnia, also known as sleeplessness, is one type of sleep disorder in which people suffer from some combination of either being unable to fall asleep or stay asleep. Insomnia may occur for a short time, for example, during periods of stress and anxiety, or insomnia may be chronic (aptly called chronic insomnia), lasting months on end.  

The symptoms of insomnia are not the same for everyone, and people experience insomnia differently. Some people have trouble falling asleep, while others don’t feel refreshed upon waking. Other symptoms of insomnia include often waking throughout the night or simply waking up earlier than desired without having the ability to fall back asleep.

As a result of the poor sleep associated with insomnia, the days can become more challenging as people may experience daytime effects, such as feeling too tired or sleepy to undertake normal activities or experience trouble concentrating on a task at hand. Others may feel irritable or moody, suffer from headaches, or lose interest in doing things. Unfortunately, these experiences may be further compounded with the anxiety that comes from the concern and worries about not obtaining a night of good sleep.

There have been numerous studies that have looked at a variety of causes relating to sleep disorders more generally, and insomnia more specifically. Typically, when there is no underlying cause associated with insomnia, it is referred to as Primary Insomnia. When there is an identified underlying cause associated with a general health condition, depression, anxiety, or some other sleep disorder, it is referred to as Secondary Insomnia. Insomnia may be worsened or compounded via the intake of various types of chemical compounds such as caffeine or from various other substances, for example, contained in some types of prescription medication.

 Other factors may also play a contributing role in sleep disorders, such as insomnia. Stress, for example, whether caused by grief, work-related issues, financial issues, or even personal relationship problems, can play a role. Additionally, people who work relatively unusual or long hours, such as shift workers, may find their poor sleep habits do not allow them to sleep as well as those who work regular hours throughout the day.

Given many of the previously mentioned contributing factors of insomnia are common to people from all walks of life, from any country, it is probably now a little less surprising to learn that even people living in a tropical paradise are susceptible to suffering from not only insomnia but other sleep-related issues –in Vanuatu, kava has a long tradition of being used to promote relaxation and sleep.

How is insomnia or other more general sleep disorders diagnosed and treated?

As a first step, it is always best to consult with a trusted health professional such as your local GP, who can undertake a thorough examination and help tailor a personal treatment plan.

In most cases, a sleep professional will ask about your sleep habits, medications, how much alcohol and caffeine you consume and other symptoms you may have. They will also likely try and determine if there are any underlying health conditions contributing to your insomnia. In any case, one of the first steps in helping to manage insomnia is to learn healthy sleep habits and change any lifestyle factors that are contributing to the problem.

Over the last 40+ years since the American Sleep Disorders Association (ASDA) published the first classification system dedicated to sleep disorders in 1979, scientific knowledge and understanding of sleep health have significantly evolved. Notwithstanding those changes, there are some remedies that have endured and continue to be advocated for. 

Many of those remedies for insomnia fall under the collective term of good “sleep hygiene”, which includes things such as: going to bed and waking up at the same time each day, ensuring one’s sleeping environment is conducive to sleep (including having a comfortable bed), getting regular exercise (but not in the evening), and doing something relaxing before bed. More contemporary remedies include avoiding electronic screens such as hand-held devices just before bed and avoiding “staring at the time” while trying to sleep. Other lifestyle remedies include cutting out caffeine, nicotine, and alcohol – or at least trying to reduce their intake. 

Kava – a Traditional Remedy for Insomnia                                                                                                                  

Of course, people have been experiencing sleep problems all over the world long before the ASDA was even formed. In Vanuatu, the quintessential traditional remedy to help aid in the treatment of insomnia is kava – most often consumed as a kava drink.

The kava root drink has had a long history of use in folk medicine within Vanuatu. Long before the arrival of European explorers, the Ni-Vanuatu people had discovered that chewing either fresh or dried kava roots would release a substance, now identified as the bioactive compounds called kavalactones, that could be diluted with water to create a kava drink with great beneficial effect. In fact, Kava has important cultural and historical significance throughout the regions of Micronesia, Polynesia, and Melanesia for its relaxant and medicinal effects as a pain reliever, muscle relaxant, and as remedy for anxiety, nervousness, and insomnia.

It’s interesting to note that human and plant physiology inform the way in which kava has been traditionally consumed as a drink. All throughout the pacific, almost entirely, people down cups of kava all at once. It is not often savoured or sipped, likely owing to its bitter and earthy flavour and mud-like texture. But as many Pacific Islanders will attest, Kava is not consumed for its taste but rather for its effect.

Are You Ready to Reap the Benefits of the Kava Root Drink?

Kava has a long history of consumption within the South Pacific Islands and is considered a healthy and enjoyable beverage. As more and more people, both in Australia and abroad, try kava for the first time, they too are discovering for themselves why this “elixir of the pacific” is held with such reverence.

Here at Kava Vanuatu, our history goes back to 1995, when a group of like-minded individuals from various kava growing regions and islands formulated a plan to establish an organisation that would enable our kava growers to improve their standard of living and social welfare via the sale of their kava – knowing the quality of our kava directly affects the quality of our standard of living.

All Kava Vanuatu farmers are registered, and the cultivation and collection of kava plant material follows Good Agricultural and Collection Practices (GACP). All the kava used in our products is export-approved Noble cultivars verified by the department of Biosecurity Vanuatu, and our kava is independently lab tested in Australia. Kava Vanuatu’s export facilities strictly conform to current Good Manufacturing Practices (cGMP), and our processing and packaging facility is HACCP certified.

As leading manufacturers of 100% pure organic noble kava root powder, our dedicated team work tirelessly to ensure our customers receive consistently superior products. So, if you would like to learn more about kava powder uses, contact Kava Vanuatu today at contact@kavavanuatu.com.au.

What are the effects of a kava drink? 

In Vanuatu, people regularly consume a kava drink so that they may feel a sense of relaxation and tranquillity. Regular kava drinkers often prefer drinking from a Noble kava variety. These and other reported biological effects are attributed to pharmacologically active compounds, named kavalactones or kavapyrones, which are contained in the kava plant.

These compounds may present some psychopharmacological effects on people which may act as a muscle relaxant, anxiolytic, anticonvulsant and/or local anaesthetic. However, even though kavalactones can exhibit psychoactive properties in those who drink kava, it is generally not considered to create any type of hallucinogenic effect.

It should be cautioned that Kava drinks may affect a person’s ability to drive or operate machinery effectively, depending upon the amount of kava consumed – the relative weight of an individual is a large contributing factor, as is an individual’s digestive system and various other genetically related metabolic factors.

Why have people traditionally consumed kava?

In Vanuatu, Fiji, Hawaii, and other islands throughout Melanesia, Micronesia, and Polynesia, kava root drinks are not just prepared to make people feel good – although many are prepared for that reason! Kava drinks are also prepared for several social, cultural, spiritual, and therapeutic reasons. Irrespective of whether a kava drink is prepared using a freshly harvested kava root or from dried kava powder, every consumer of kava knows that the quality of their kava drinking experience is inextricably linked to the quality of the kava they consume – something we at Kava Vanuatu understand to be of absolute paramount importance!

In a social context, one of the most popular uses of drinking kava is to reduce one’s inhibitions and to make a person feel more sociable. A kava drink is sometimes compared to drinking alcohol in that respect, except that a kava drink doesn’t affect a person’s cognitive abilities, such as decision making, in the way alcohol does.

From a spiritual perspective, fresh kava roots or dried kava powder is used to prepare kava drinks for use in various religious rites sometimes to achieve a form of enlightenment, reportedly because the consumption of a kava drink engenders physical relaxation combined with heightening mental clarity.

There are many cultural reasons for the consumption of a kava drink. There is a deep cultural belief that drinking kava makes it very hard for those people who have consumed fresh kava root or dried kava root powder to feel negative emotions such as anger. In some respects, it may be compared to a North American Indian “peace pipe”, as it is consumed during important meetings between various people.

Among the many anecdotal therapeutic benefits reportedly associated with the traditional consumption of a kava drink, one of the major perceived therapeutic benefits is the ability of kava to help improve one’s overall sense of well-being. Over the many hundreds and hundreds of years that kava has been consumed, kava drinks are perceived as being able to reduce tension and promote relaxation in both the mind and body. Moreover, many see the consumption of kava as a means to help reduce health problems linked to stress.

How are Kava drinks prepared?

Traditionally there are many methods and tools for making a kava drink, however, the major difference in the preparation of a kava drink is from the use of either freshly harvested kava roots, or from the use of dried kava root powder.

In Vanuatu, a kava drink is almost exclusively prepared using fresh roots and rhizomes from the kava plant, where it is usually macerated in water and then strained. In other areas such as Fiji, a kava drink is generally made from dried roots and rhizomes which have first been dried and then ground before being wrapped in a cloth, infused in water, and finally strained.

At Kava Vanuatu, we stock a variety of kava powders which are available in “instant use” kava powder and ground kava powder forms. Our Instant Use Kava Root Powder sachets are a convenient and easy option for a kava drink, which can readily be prepared by adding the contents of the kava powder from the sachet into a glass of water and simply stirring without the need for any straining. Kava Vanuatu’s Ground Kava Powder can be prepared in a more traditional or considered method dependent upon your personal preference.

How is a kava drink best consumed?

Fresh is best – to avoid spoilage it is better to consume your kava drink shortly after preparation. We also recommend to avoid using boiling water to prepare your kava drink as the boiling water can create an unpleasant taste and consistency.

It is also worth highlighting that because there is a lack of clinical research exploring the interaction kava has with many modern medications or drugs, it is prudent to seek individual medical advice if you are planning to consume a kava drink while taking any medications.  

You should not consume a kava drink at the same time as any alcoholic beverages.  

What are the added benefits of a kava drink prepared using Kava Vanuatu kava root powder?

At Kava Vanuatu it all comes back to quality – consistent quality!

First, to help ensure the healthiest possible experience from drinking kava, it is likely better to consume a kava powder which has been cultivated and harvested in an environment that is completely free from the use of any synthetic chemical herbicides, insecticides, pesticides, or GMOs.

At Kava Vanuatu our plants are organically grown on small traditional farms located on the remote islands of Vanuatu, where our kava roots are free from any nasty synthetical chemicals since the environment is completely free from any air-borne, soil, or water pollutants. All of Kava Vanuatu’s kava root powder products are 100% organic.

Importantly, our Noble kava varieties are both single origin and single cultivar which means we can ensure a consistently high quality, premium product, direct from our farms to you.

As with all living plants, as soon as a kava plant is harvested the kava root will begin to degrade. The rate at which the kava root degrades is largely contingent on several environmental exposure factors. The biologically active compounds in kava, such as the kavalactones, are especially sensitive to degradation to environmental factors such as sunlight and air – and at Kava Vanuatu that is why the kava roots from our kava plants are specially processed immediately after harvest to retain freshness!

Fresh is best and at Kava Vanuatu every step of the manufacturing process is designed with this in mind – and it is why we continually invest in our people, processing methods, and infrastructure. Our kava powders always undergo strict quality control and testing to ensure the consistently superior quality of our kava root is maintained up until the point you consume one of Kava Vanuatu’s kava powder products.  

Are You Ready to Reap the Benefits of Instant Kava Powder?

Kava has a long history of consumption within the South Pacific Islands and is considered a healthy and enjoyable beverage. As more and more people, both in Australia and abroad, try kava for the first time they too are discovering for themselves why this “elixir of the pacific” is held with such reverence.

Here at Kava Vanuatu, our history goes back to 1995 when a group of like-minded individuals from various kava growing regions and islands formulated a plan to establish an organisation that would enable our kava growers to improve their standard of living and social welfare via the sale of their kava – knowing the quality of our kava directly effects the quality of our standard of living.

All our farmers are registered, and the cultivation and collection of kava plant material follows Good Agricultural and Collection Practices (GACP). All of the kava used in our products is export-approved Noble cultivars verified by the department of Biosecurity Vanuatu. Kava Vanuatu’s export facilities strictly conform to current Good Manufacturing Practices (cGMP), and our processing and packaging facility is HACCP certified.

As leading manufacturers of 100% pure organic noble kava root powder, our dedicated team work tirelessly to ensure our customers receive consistently superior products. So, if you would like to learn more about our kava powders, contact Kava Vanuatu today at contact@kavavanuatu.com.au

Kava Kastom in Vanuatu…

Kastom is the Bislama word used to refer to traditional culture, including religion, economics, art and of course kava drinking. The word is derived from the Australian English pronunciation of custom. Kastom is largely passed on by word of mouth with Kastom Stories such as myths and legends, via Kastom House which are sites where objects and rituals are stored, and via Kastom Tabu which are objects of special significance and symbolism.

The name Vanuatu means “land eternal” and the people of Vanuatu, known as Ni-Vanuatu are largely of Melanesian origin. Vanuatu is recognised as one of the most culturally diverse countries in the world owing to its Y-shaped archipelago consisting of 65 different inhabited islands. Everything from dances, kava drinking ceremonies, status and systems of authority, artistic styles, animal husbandry, and crop husbandry can vary from island to island. As you might guess, the idiosyncratic customs of each island is known as Island Kastom.

There are also many unique and varied species of Kava which accompany the various Island Kastoms, with much of the world’s kava supply coming from some of Vanuatu’s largest islands which include Ambrym, Gaua, Espiritu Santo, Malo, Pentecost, Malakula, Epi, Erromango, Ambae, Aneityum, Vanua Lava, Tanna, Efate and Maewo. Vanuatu is home to the greatest number of kava plant species and most diverse range of kava root drink types of any country in the world, especially compared to Hawaii or Fiji, which is why Vanuatu is widely considered to be the geographical origin of Kava. Vanuatu is also home to the greatest variety of Noble kavas or “drinking kava” varieties. Many of the islands have their own slightly unique way of preparing kava root drinks and undertaking kava drinking ceremonies. Vanuatu boasts 113 distinct languages and innumerable dialects. Out of the three official languages, Bislama is the most spoken in Vanuatu, followed by English, and lastly French. There are similarly many names used for the many species of kava plants used to prepare kava beverages.

The kava root drink is a fundamental part of Vanuatu kastom rituals and consuming the right type of kava in the right place at the right time is said to ensure an almost spiritual experience. In fact, back in earlier centuries, kava root powder was regarded to be so powerful that it was prohibited by Christian missionaries for almost 100 years on the many islands in Vanuatu in an attempt to eliminate competition with other gods.

Kava…

The kava plant (Piper methysticum Forst.) is a robust, succulent, well-branching perennial shrub belonging to the Black pepper family Piperaceae. The generic name Piper comes from the Latin for “pepper”, and the species name methysticum from the Greek meaning “intoxicant”, thus Piper methysticum when translated into English means “Intoxicating pepper”. The kava leaves are heart shaped, pointed, smooth and green on both sides and are about 15 cm in length. The plant is usually about 2 to 2.5m tall when it is harvested after 3 to 5 years of growth.

Kava farmers have been growing and harvesting kava plants for numerous ceremonial and medicinal resolutions ever since the so-called “Lapita” people first arrived in Vanuatu roughly 3,500 years ago. Importantly, despite kava being a dioecious species, only male kava plants are known, and no fruits or seeds have been reported. The kava plant is cultivated through vegetative propagation. This coupled with the cultural, topographical, and climatic diversity across the islands of Vanuatu has engendered more kava root drink varieties than any other country on earth.

Kava Varieties…

According to the SPC report (2001), there have been about 115 varieties, otherwise known as cultivars, of Piper methysticum identified. Out of the 115 cultivars, it has been recorded that there are about 80 in Vanuatu, 12 in Fiji, 11 in Hawaii, 7 in Tonga and 5 in Samoa. The Kava Act No. 7 (2002) was passed by the Vanuatu Government which categorises and identifies the various cultivars into four categories, as listed below:

1. “Noble” kava varieties – “drinking kava” varieties regularly used as a traditional social kava drinks.
2. “Medicinal” kava varieties – have beneficial properties amongst traditional herbalists who prepare kava root drinks.
3. “Tu Dei” kava varieties – not permitted as an export commodity.
4. “Wichmannii” varieties – not permitted as an export commodity.

Kava Drinking at a Nakamal in Vanuatu…

A nakamal (a picture of one is located on the Kava Vanuatu Contact page) is a traditional Ni-Vanuatu meeting place, where people living on the islands meet to enjoy a kava drink, as well as resolve tribal disputes, dance, and trade goods. A nakamal is generally surrounded by banyan trees in a forest clearing on most islands. In the more urban areas of Vanuatu, such as the capital Port Vila, the term nakamal has come to mean Kava Bar were people go to enjoy a kava beverage, usually at the end of the day. Kava has a distinctively bitter tase, which makes it a memorable experience if it is your first time trying it!

Despite the bitter taste of the kava root drink, it is largely consumed for its sedative, muscle relaxing, and euphoric properties. If you’re in Australia or anywhere else in the world and can’t try a fresh kava drink from one of the islands of Vanuatu, Kava Vanuatu kava root powder is the next best thing!

Traditional Kava Uses in Vanuatu…

Kava is known for providing a sense of relaxation and tranquillity and has been traditionally consumed for these reasons. In addition, some of the health benefits traditional herbalists have purported the consumption of kava to have include:

The recognised study of Kava by the Europeans started with the first voyages of exploration and discovery undertaken in the 17th & 18th Century. The Natural History Museum in London, England has a botanical drawing of kava which dates to 1769. Since the first published research paper on Kava (Piper methysticum) there has been over 100,000 research publications. Since 1990, more specific research has been conducted into the identification and classification of the pharmacologically active compounds within the Kava plant known as “Kavalactones”.

Given anxiety disorders are among the most common psychiatric disorders today, it is no surprise that there is growing demand for safe, natural remedies. Moreover, with a lack of sleep being associated with many medical issues, people are continuing to seek natural medications to help them sleep better.

Growing Kava Culture…

With kava’s long history of consumption as a healthy and enjoyable beverage within the South Pacific Islands, kava drinking is now being enjoyed around the world. For example, there are now literally hundreds of Kava bars situated across America where kava root drinks are being enjoyed by people from all cultural backgrounds. More recently, Kava is being increasingly embraced as a part of Australian culture. Australians can now enjoy the benefits of the finest Vanuatu noble kava through Kava Vanuatu’s 100% organic Instant Kava Root Powder – contained in very convenient sachets.

How To Prepare Your Instant Kava Root Drink…

We ensure that our instant kava root powder that we offer here at Kava Vanuatu is of an exceptionally high quality and proves to highlight convenience and cleanliness, which is shown through our individually wrapped portion sizes. Instant kava is very easy to prepare whether you are at home or on the go.

Simply empty your Kava Vanuatu instant use sachet into your desired glass and pour in 200 mL of room temperature water and then stir vigorously until dissolved. Generally, the more a person weighs the more kava powder a person will require to realise an equivalent effect.

Are You Ready to Reap the Benefits of Kava Powder?

So, why choose Kava Vanuatu Kava powder? In two words – uncompromising quality!

Kava Vanuatu’s history goes back to 1995, when a group of like-minded individuals from various kava growing regions and islands formulated a plan to establish an organisation that would enable our kava growers to improve their standard of living and social welfare via the sale of their kava – knowing the quality of our kava directly effects the quality of our standard of living.

Our company does not use any intermediate wholesalers and we have perfect product traceability. Every person in our organisation understands the importance of our reputation for manufacturing the highest quality kava powder – something we are very proud to stand by. We utilise highly advanced technological processing equipment and simply do not ever compromise on the quality of any input used in our manufacturing process.

As leading manufacturers of 100% pure organic noble kava root powder, our dedicated team work tirelessly to ensure our customers receive a consistently superior kava powder product. If you would like to try one of our kava powders, rest assured you will be receiving the highest quality Vanuatu kava powder available.