Kava Kava (Piper methysticum)
Kava aka Piper methysticum,`awa, 'ava, yaqona and sakau. Kava is related to the black pepper; both have heart-shaped leaves and flowers similar to the flower spike of the anthurium. Kava also has a peppery taste. Kava is an ancient crop of the western Pacific and has long been a part of their native & indigenous people religious, political, and cultural life.
A few people have asked me how do I make a Kava Kava beverage from whole roots. Many search results demonstrate how it is traditionally prepared from an Ethnobotanical perspective. This includes everything from pounding and grinding the roots with stone, volcanic rock or coral by hand to having virgins chew it then spit back into a community bowl from which everyone later drinks.
Traditions are important so I encourage everyone to research traditional useage and to take part in a traditional Kava making ceremony if you can find a few virgins sitting around in grass skirts and coconut shells ready to chew Kava root for hours to fill a bowl for you. While I typically prefer the traditional use of Ethnobotanicals, with Kava its more practicle to take a more modern approach. The following is personal home preperation technique.
First begin with mature whole Vanuatu lateral Kava roots [from
Gaian Botanicals of course.] Put about an ounce of whole roots broken up enough to fit nicely in a blender with 16 ounce of water and a couple table spoons of Soy Lecithin per person.
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Let it soak for a few minutes until it looks like this.
Then blend it on high for 5 minutes.
If your blender gets hot you can do 2 increments of 2 1/2 minutes
It should completely emulsify while blending
Strain it into your cup
your strainer may clog up, move the pulp around some with a spoon
Then with clean hands, press and squeeze the water from the pulp
You can now enjoy your first glass of Kava. mmm, that earthy spice taste with hints of fire. A true drink of the gods.I re-blend the pulp to make a second glass and avoid to wasting good Kava lactones.
Its as easy as that.
Please note everyone's sensitivity to Kava varies. 1oz may be way too much for some or be too little for others. Please start low and work your way up. Safety first, you can always drink more.
©2009 EROCx1