How to Prepare Kava

To make kava from powder, put about 10g (2 tablespoons) of kava in a strainer bag, submerge it in 300 to 360ml of cool or lukewarm water, and knead it for 5 to 10 minutes until the water turns a cloudy, earthy brown. Squeeze the bag dry, then serve in a shell or cup. That's the traditional method, and it takes about 15 minutes.

Below you'll find the exact ratios per serve, how much to have the first time, how long it takes to work, and how to make a stronger bowl.

What you need

• Kava powder. We use our kava (100% noble, sourced from Kadavu, Fiji) in the traditional grind.
• A muslin cloth or fine strainer bag (a food-grade nut milk bag works well)
• A bowl big enough to submerge the bag
• Cool or lukewarm tap water
• A cup, shell or bilo to drink from

How to make kava, step by step

1. Measure. Put your kava powder in the strainer bag (see the ratios below). Tie or hold it closed.
2. Add water. Pour cool or lukewarm water into the bowl and submerge the bag. You don't need hot water, and boiling water isn't traditional.
3. Knead. Squeeze and knead the bag under the water for 5 to 10 minutes. The water turns from clear to a cloudy, earthy brown. A longer knead pulls more out of the root.
4. Wring it out. Squeeze every last drop from the bag. The leftover powder should look dark and grainy. Bin it or put it in the garden.
5. Serve. Pour into a shell or cup. Traditionally you drink a shell in one or two quick gulps rather than sipping. Give the bowl a stir before each pour, because the kava settles.

How much kava per serve

Our guide ratio is 1g of kava to 30ml of water. One serve below is about two shells.

Making a bowl for friends? Scale it up. 100g of kava makes about 3 litres.

If it's your first time

Start with the light serve: 10g in 300 to 360ml, and one shell at a time. Wait 20 minutes before deciding on a second. Kava is slow to work, and it's easy to overdo it by rushing.

Many first-timers feel very little in the first session or two. That's normal. Try it a few times before you increase the amount, and go up one tablespoon at a time.

How long does kava take to kick in?

Most people notice something within 10 to 20 minutes. The feeling builds for up to an hour and typically lasts 2 to 4 hours. Kava works faster on an empty stomach and a little slower after a big meal. Everyone is different.

What does kava feel like?

Most people describe a calm, unhurried feeling, and a slightly numb or tingly tongue and lips. Your head stays clear, and you're not drunk. Some people feel pleasantly relaxed or sleepy as it wears on. It's very different from alcohol, and there's no hangover. Kava is a supplement, not a medicine, and we make no therapeutic claims.

How to make kava stronger

1. Use more kava, not less time. Add a tablespoon at a time, or use a little less water (down to about 1g to 25ml).
2. Knead for the full 10 minutes. Keep squeezing until the bag feels almost dry.
3. Use a fine grind and a good bag. A fine, food-grade bag lets more through without grit.
4. Drink on an empty stomach. It works faster and feels stronger.
5. Try a little coconut cream or lecithin in the water. Some people use it to help pull more out of the root.

Go up gradually. A stronger bowl isn't a better bowl.

Safety

Use in moderation. May cause drowsiness. That's the wording NZ labelling requires, and we mean it.

• Don't drive or operate machinery after drinking kava.
• Don't mix it with alcohol.
• Not for under-18s.
• If you're pregnant or breastfeeding, have a liver condition, or take regular medication, talk to your doctor first.

Kava is a supplement, not a medicine.

Common questions