Written by: Hannah E. Beltran
The consumption of kava is a full-body ceremony that incorporates all five senses, transcending boundaries of space, time, and history. Traditionally, kava is as much a drink as it is a religious experience. While modern incarnations of the drink such as our product, KavaKwik, seek to blend traditional and modern elements of kava, we believe it is especially important to understand and feel the roots of ceremony itself. Here is a briefing on what to expect from the traditional kava experience, whether for the first time or the umpteenth time.
Sight
Traditional consumption of kava takes place at kalapu or faikava, a social club dedicated to kava consumption. The kava drinking process begins with preparation of the infused tea. The ground root of the kava plant is rolled into a cheesecloth-like fabric and steeped in a tanoa, a large bowl either made of wood or a half-shell of coconut.
Bearing a resemblance akin to liquefied mud, the resulting kava tea is admittedly not the most visually pleasing nor appetizing. However, what kava lacks in visual appeal, it makes up for in its cultural significance to the ancient Pacific Islander societies from which it proudly hails. It is an immense privilege to partake in a revered tradition that has been used for over 3,000 years to commemorate important tribal events, from births, deaths, and marriages to war and peace treaties.
Smell
The smell of natural, unadulterated kava is undeniably strong and earthy – after all, it is derived from the root of the kava plant.
Taste
Similar to its scent, the taste of kava tea is also often described as earthy, peppery – and overwhelmingly bitter. Perhaps we are not meant to place too much emphasis on the olfactory or flavor experience of kava; this elixir of the gods has far greater purpose than to serve hedonistic human desires.
Feel
The scientific name of kava is Piper methysticum, which translates to “intoxicating pepper.” The mouthfeel of kava features pepper-like characteristics. The thick coating of the tea briefly numbs the mouth and tongue upon contact.
The kavalactones responsible for the physically and mentally relaxing effects of kava take their effect, sending the body into a state of euphoria as the previous stresses and anxieties of the day melt away. Even though kava in the West is primarily branded as an alternative to alcohol, the bliss experienced when consuming kava is without the adverse effects of alcohol consumption. The kava user retains their wits at all times, with some preliminary studies even suggesting that kava affords the user improved clarity of mind during each session..
Hear
“Bula,” the Fijian word for cheers, is likely the first word a person hears after kava is consumed. This simultaneous cue and greeting is a sign that the first participant, usually an honored guest or an elder, has finished drinking, and the person at the helm of the tanoa is free to prepare the tea for the next participant in the circle. Sounds of happiness and camaraderie then reverberate throughout the circle once each participant has their first drink in their system and the psychoactive and anxiolytic properties of kava take root. The typical kava gathering, whether done in a formal or informal setting, is not one with a definite end time. Gatherings often take place for hours on end, with multiple rounds of kava consumed throughout, and are an opportunity for participants to socialize and enjoy each other’s presence. It is in this togetherness over kava that its past, present, and future are celebrated – past ancestors are honored, the present is calm and serene, and the future beams bright with promise.
