You can make and enjoy the relaxing effects of kava at home. It can also be purchased at kava bars for people who don’t have the time or inclination to start prepping at home.
If you prefer your alone time or like to learn new skills, making kava is fun and easy to learn. All you need is a little know-how and the right equipment.
What is kava?
Kava is the 100% natural ground root of the kava plant. Brewed into tea, kava creates feelings of relaxation, happiness, and focus. Enjoyed by people who wish to combat stress and overwhelm, it encourages a social environment that many people enjoy as an alternative to alcohol.
Where does it come from?
A centuries-old tradition of the native peoples of Polynesia, today the best kava is still grown and produced in Vanuatu and Fiji. Used in traditional ceremonies, social gatherings, and celebrations throughout the generations, native seafarers brought kava to the rest of the world.
Discovered by the Western world in the 1600s, kava has gained popularity over the years. As our modern lifestyles create so much stress, sadness, and anxiety, we are looking for more natural ways to relax our minds.
How does it taste?
In its natural form without any flavoring, kava is a peppery and earthy-flavored root. Some people enjoy this natural earthy taste. Others find the taste to be bitter and enjoy adding flavors to the tea.
At Kavahana, we created some unique and tasty kava tea flavors. With choices like brown sugar milk tea and honey lavender, we are excited to bring exotic kava flavors to southern California.
What are the effects of kava?
Our brains have kavalactone receptors, which, when we drink kava, create a sense of happiness, joy, and relaxation. Because we often feel overwhelmed, it can be difficult to quiet our minds. Many people find they feel more focused with kava, as their anxious thoughts stop racing so much.
Kava doesn’t cause the same thinking and motor skill impairments as alcohol. This makes kava a perfect choice for those looking to relax without feeling out of control.
How is it made?
Kava, or ground kava plant root, can be purchased to make at home if you prefer to relax in your own environment. Kava root is sold already ground for convenience and is simply mixed with warm water.
The powder is mixed with water into a tea and strained through a cloth kava-straining bag. A nut milk strainer, muslin cloth, or cheesecloth can also strain the mixture.
For a more evenly mixed kava, many people prefer to mix the kava powder and hot water in a blender before straining through the cloth bag.
Some people like to add a little coconut oil to the mixture for flavor and to help the fat-soluble kavalactones to be more efficient.
Making kava at home can be a fun and easy way to relax, spend time with friends, and have an alternative to alcohol on hand.
Not all Kava is the same quality
Unfortunately, as kava became more popular around the world, some manufacturers did not stay true to its natural origins. In a bid to maximize profits, some companies place additives into their ground kava root. This creates kava that is not 100% natural and changes its traditional form and effects.
These additives and fillers often contain chemicals such as ethanol. They often cause an unpleasant hangover feeling after drinking kava. This does not usually happen with truly natural kava. These additives are potentially harmful to our health and defeat the purpose of using a natural product like kava.
Whether you prefer to make kava at home or try it in a chilled-out bar with friends, always ensure that the kava brand being used is 100% natural.
At Kavahana, we only use 100% natural kava from Vanuatu and Fiji in our kava products. We believe in keeping kava pure and traditional.
We want people to experience the same benefits that the native peoples of Polynesia made such an important part of their culture.
What is a kava bar?
A kava bar is just as it sounds. A place you can buy and drink kava tea in a chilled-out and social environment. You can visit a kava bar for a little quiet me-time or to enjoy some interaction with friends or other kava enthusiasts.
Due to its relaxed vibe, kava bars tend to be places that encourage calm. A happy and inclusive atmosphere, as opposed to the often unpredictable nature of an alcohol bar.
At Kavahana, the first kava bar in West Los Angeles, we encourage people to try kava in our social, relaxed, and chilled environment.
Why do people go to a kava bar?
Kava bars are very popular for many reasons. Lots of people don’t want to go through the hassle of buying ingredients and equipment for home. Many people don’t have the time in their schedule and would prefer it was ready-made for them.
Kava bars are particularly appealing to people who wish to avoid alcohol bars. Some people are living a sober life or simply trying to break their habits. Others don’t like the drinking culture atmosphere in an alcohol bar.
People enjoy kava bars for the same reasons they visit regular bars. We can buy alcohol for drinking at home, yet bars are always busy. There is social interaction, a chance to break the monotony of routine, and a place to decompress for a little while.
In summary
Whether to drink your kava at home or within a kava bar setting is a personal choice. You might like to try both ways, depending on your mood, schedule, and social life.
Kava can provide feelings of relaxation, happiness, calm, focus, and joy at home, or in the chilled and fun atmosphere of a kava bar.
