All About Kava

Kava has been used in the Pacific for hundreds of years. Though there are different cultures, and traditions surrounding this amazing root, lets look at what we use it for today.

Kava in Fiji 

Kava is sharing, we share whats in the bowl, and heck we even share the bowl.
Kava or yaqona (young-go-na) in Fijian, is about bringing people together under the one social concept. 

Kava doesn't have the same effect as alcohol so when people drink too much kava they are still in control of their actions just even more mellow. 

Kava is usually consumed after a hard days work to wind down with friends. In Fiji and many of the Pacific nations you can find people drinking kava in every neighbourhood. 

As a result many celebrations, special occasions and even conflicts and disagreements are celebrated and resolved around a bowl of kava. 
I have not seen many disputes in Fiji that have not been resolved around a bowl of kava. 

To sum it up or attempt to put a translation to the concept, I would say kava is all about fellowship.

The Kava Plant

There are 3 main parts of the kava plant and only 2 parts are worth drinking. 

Waka (Lateral Root)

This is the business end of the plant and the part that provides the strongest effect. It is a great choice if you don't have the time to spend hours in front of the kava bowl. A few cups of Waka and you'll be on your way to a good relaxing chill. 

 

Lawena (Basal Root)

This is the top part of the root much thicker and white in colour. It has a much milder effect to the Waka and often used in social settings because you are able to drink a lot more and enjoy the occasion.

Lawena has a mild euphoric effect and contains less kavalactones than the lateral root. Lawena is often blended with Waka to produce a distinct kava vibe.  

Lawena is the top of the root system below the stem and gives
you a mild euphoric feeling when consumed

Kasa (Stem)

This part of the plant has zero effect or benefit and is used by many processors to water down or add more weight to the kava. 

Its a terrible practice and we encourage our customers to know thier kava.

To give you an idea: Some kava is sold in Fiji for as low as FJ$60/kg (pounded and ready to mix). The Waka root itself (dried and un-pounded) is sold from between FJ$80 - FJ120 per kg. If you do the math you can be sure something is definitely wrong with a $60 kilo of kava. 

This is the crap that no one wants to drink yet many processors
use this part of the plant to make their kava cheaper.

Kava has been used in the pacific for centuries. Each Pacific Island culture has their own traditional uses for kava. 

 

Effects of Kava

Kava is non-alcoholic and does not affect you the same way alcohol does.
We do not recommend mixing kava with alcohol. 

Kava gives you a mild euphoric sensation with a sedative effect in Fiji we call it (Grog-Doped). We have not know kava to have any advers effects on people however drinking too much can leave you feeling a little bloated and extremely drowsey.

We also don't recommend driving or operating heavy machinery after drinking kava.