In the South Pacific, kava is often consumed in many cultural ceremonies. In the Western world, kava is becoming an increasingly popular drink for its relaxing qualities. If you're interested in making kava, this guide will teach you everything you need to know.
Kava can be enjoyed individually or with a mixer, like fruit juice or coconut water. Let's get started!
Preparing Kava
Kava is a traditional drink from the South Pacific that has been enjoyed for centuries. Kava is made from the roots of the Piper methysticum plant and has a variety of potential health benefits, including reducing anxiety and promoting sleep.
Kava is traditionally prepared by grinding the roots into a powder, mixing it with water, and straining it through a cloth. Here's how to prepare it traditionally.
Related Link: All You Should Know About Tanoa – The Kava Bowl
What You'll Need
To make kava, you'll need the following supplies:
-1 cup of kava powder
-4 cups of water
-A bowl or Tanoa
-A strainer
-A cheesecloth or other type of cloth for straining
-A cup for drinking
Instructions
- Grind your kava root into a powder. Once you have your desired amount of kava powder, put it into a bowl or container. Slowly add the water, stirring as you go. Once the water has been added, stir vigorously for about 3 minutes. This helps release the kava's active compounds and results in a smoother drink. After stirring, allow the mixture to sit for 5-10 minutes so that the Sediment can settle to the bottom of the bowl.
- Pour the mixture into the cheesecloth or other type of strainer over another bowl or container.
- Use your hands to squeeze all of the liquid out of the kava mixture. This liquid is your kava tea.
- Pour the kava tea into a cup and enjoy. You can add sweetener if desired.
- Repeat steps 1-4 with the remaining 2 cups of water to make more kava tea.
How Long Does It Take to Prepare Kava?
It typically takes about 15-30 minutes to prepare kava depending on the preparation method. For example, the first step may require grinding the kava roots into a powder using a grinder or mortar and pestle before mixing them with water in a bowl or container.
Kava can also be prepared using instant kava powder, sold in many stores. To prepare instant kava, simply mix the powder with water according to the package directions.
Related Link: How to Take Part in a Traditional Fijian Kava Ceremony
The Best Kava Ratio
The standard ratio of kava to water is 1:4, meaning 1 part kava powder to 4 parts water. This can be adjusted depending on your preferences, but it is an excellent place to start.
If you find that the drink is too strong, you can add more water. If you find that the drink is not strong enough, you can add more kava powder. It is important to experiment until you find the ratio that works best for you.
Searching for a kava supplier you can believe in? Check out Shot of Joy!
The Many Benefits of Kava
Kava has been consumed for centuries by people in the Pacific Islands and has a long history of being used for ceremonial, social, and medicinal purposes.
In recent years, kava has gained popularity in Western countries as a natural remedy for anxiety and stress. Let's take a look at some of the benefits of kava.
Relaxation Without Intoxication
One of the most appealing aspects of kava is that it produces feelings of relaxation and calmness without causing intoxication or impairing cognitive function.
This is due to the fact that kava contains compounds called kavalactones, which interact with neurotransmitter receptors in the brain to produce a sedative effect. For this reason, kava is often referred to as "nature's Xanax."
Anxiety Relief
Because kava can promote relaxation without causing drowsiness or impairment, it has become a popular treatment for anxiety. In fact, multiple studies have shown that kava can be effective in reducing anxiety symptoms.
One study even found that kava was more effective than placebo in treating generalized anxiety disorder.
Pain Relief
In addition to its effects on anxiety, kava has also been shown to relieve pain. Kavalactones have been found to interact with pain receptors in the brain, leading to a reduction in pain perception. Kava has been shown to be particularly effective in relieving muscle pain and tension headaches.
Improved Sleep Quality
Because of its ability to promote relaxation, kava can also help improve sleep quality. If you're struggling with insomnia or other sleep issues, drinking kava before bed may help you fall asleep more easily and sleep more soundly throughout the night.
As you can see, there are many benefits to drinking kava. If you're looking for a natural way to relieve stress, anxiety, or pain, give kava a try!
Does Kava Really Get Better With Age?
Does kava really get better with age? The short answer is no, kava does not necessarily get better with age. In fact, it can actually lose some of its potency over time.
This is because the active ingredients in kava—kavalactones—can break down when exposed to light or oxygen. For this reason, it's important to store kava in an airtight container in a cool, dark place.
However, while kava may not necessarily get better with age, older plants can produce higher-quality roots. This is because older plants have had more time to mature and develop a higher concentration of kavalactones.
So, if you're looking for the best-quality kava possible, you may want to seek out products made from older plants.
Have you considered trying kava? Browse our selection of kava today!
Making Kava Final Thoughts
For those that don’t have the time or energy to make kava, be sure to checkout our site for all of the best kava products.
With so many options available, there’s something for everyone. Thanks for reading, and we hope you enjoy trying out this traditional Polynesian beverage.
Related Link: Kava ceremony in Fiji Etiquette
