Information on Kava to know and share around the tanoa

If you’re after more information on Kava all in one convenient location, sega na lega – your are at the right place! Welcome to The Kava Guide, where we will shed some light on this “green gold”, “brown label”, “the magic roots from Fiji” or whatever you may call it. The guide shares the exceptional taste, beginnings, some ideas, and wits to this amazing product.

What is Kava ?

Kava is a beverage or extract made from the Piper methysticum plant. In the South Pacific, it's a popular drink that is used in ceremonies for relaxation. The name "kava" comes from the Polynesian word "awa," which means bitter. Traditionally, plants are harvested around four years of age, as older plants have higher concentrations of kavalactones. After reaching about 2 metres (6.6 ft) in height, plants grow a wider stalk and additional stalks, but not much taller. The roots can reach a depth of 60 centimetres (2.0 ft). For thousands of years, islanders in the South Pacific have used kava plants for social rituals, religious ceremonies, family & friends’ gatherings and medicinal purposes. It does cause drowsiness hence has to be taken in moderations.

Where is Kava Found in the South Pacific ?

Kava is a tropical plant native to and cultivated in the South Pacific islands, including Fiji, Samoa, Tonga, Vanuatu, and Hawaii. Kava plants thrive in climates where rainfall is plentiful, the soil remains moisturized, and temperatures and humidity are high all year round.

Where is Kava Found in the South Pacific ?

Kava is a tropical plant native to and cultivated in the South Pacific islands, including Fiji, Samoa, Tonga, Vanuatu, and Hawaii. Kava plants thrive in climates where rainfall is plentiful, the soil remains moisturized, and temperatures and humidity are high all year round.

How is Kava grown ?

Kava certainly is a special plant. Why? Well for beginners, kava is a sterile plant, meaning it can’t reproduce naturally. Therefore, its seeds were not carried from island to island on the ocean breeze or due to migrating birds. If kava did originate in Vanuatu, as many researchers believe, it spread by hand as people migrated from one island to the next. Kava farmers must cultivate each plant from a small section of stalk they remove from a mature plant and transplant into the ground to propagate kava.

Different names of Kava ?

Kava certainly is a special plant. Why? Well for beginners, kava is a sterile plant, meaning it can’t reproduce naturally. Therefore, its seeds were not carried from island to island on the ocean breeze or due to migrating birds. If kava did originate in Vanuatu, as many researchers believe, it spread by hand as people migrated from one island to the next. Kava farmers must cultivate each plant from a small section of stalk they remove from a mature plant and transplant into the ground to propagate kava.