We realize that the article title is quite a bold statement, but All Kava is not created equal. And, after many years of patience, patience, and more patience, Kava Dot Com couldn’t be more proud of their new Premium Kava variety, lovingly grown on their own farmland in Vanuatu. This Premium Kava Root not only is a coveted Noble Vanuatu variety that consists of only lateral roots, it has a very specific “happy” chemotype that we could only have dreamed of seeing in a Kava Root.
In short, it has a proportionately higher level of Kavain, one of the key lactones thought to be responsible for the pleasurable effects of Kava (it encourages dopamine release in the brain), while conversely having a low level of yangonin, which counteracts the pleasurable effects of Kava by inhibiting dopamine release. It’s also high in dihydokavain, which is also responsible for releasing dopamine into the bloodstream.
We already know that Kava may help to manage everyday stress as well as reduce anxiety, while supporting your overall sense of enjoyment and well-being. We feel that kava kava can be used to enhance your life, as a relaxed life may be a happier life, and this Kava is the happiest Kava we have ever encountered in our 20 years of Kava passion.
Never do we feel that this has been truer than with this lateral-root only, Vanauatu Noble Kava Kava Root. Typically, Kava highest in kavain is the Hawaiian Kava Root, and has always been considered a very desirable “drinking ‘awa” strain. Our personal favorite is the Mahakea cultivar, which typically has a 4-2-6 kavalactone lineup. That means it’s high in kavain (4), dihydrokavain (2), and methysticin (6).
Our Premium Vanuatu Kava shares a similar chemotype to the Hawaiian Kava, with a 2-4-6 chemotype, making for an extremely pleasant Kava. What’s even better, though, is that our Kava was found to have a naturally-occuring pro-biotic in the ground root material. We’re not sure, but that might explain why, even after a long evening of imbibing, that there was virtually no nausea that has often been associated with Kava that has less desirable kavalactone lineups. So, when we say that we feel our Premium Noble Vanuatu Lateral Only Kava Root is the happiest Kava root we have ever experienced, we don’t make that statement lightly! We’ve tried just about every major cultivar there is, from the far reaches of Oceania, from Fiji and Vanuatu to Hawaii and even Borneo, and there were two specific cultivars that we felt stood out amongst the rest; the Vanuatu Noble Kava Root and the Mahakea Hawaiian Kava Root.
When we were deciding which of the two to carry, we realized that Kona Kava Farm already offers a Mahakea Kava Root, so we wanted to remain unique, and decided to grow the Vanuatu Noble cultivar, ensuring that the only roots used in our packages of Powdered Kava Root is from lateral roots only.
Speaking of, why should anyone care whether lateral or underground roots are used for making Kava drinks? The answer is quite simple; lateral roots are higher in kavalactone concentration than underground roots. Typically, Hawaiian or Vanuatu Kava made from lateral roots only, will have between 7%-10% kavalactone (ours has been tested to have 8%). Underground roots can be as low as 2%, but typically sits around 3%-4% kavalactone.
What’s more important, though, is that there is usually a VERY noticeable difference in taste between lateral-only Kava root, and root that is a blend of lateral and underground roots. Underground roots, as one might expect, have a much “earthier” taste to the Kava. One taste of our Kava and you will know; there is no “dirt” taste in our Kava whatsoever!
A study in 1999 by Vince Lebot and Dennis J. McKenna actually confirmed why there are more kavalactones in lateral root than there is in underground root; sunshine! Yes, plants grown in full sunshine almost always test out to have more kavalactones than identical plants grown in the shade. So, it would follow that the sunless underground roots, even from a plant that was grown in full sun, will always have less kavalactone content than lateral roots.
So, not only are you getting the “happiest” kava we’ve found, you’re also getting the one most caressed by the sunshine as it grew over the past 2 years! It makes sense to us that Mother Nature would only help intensify the Kava experience, by making happy plants even happier!
Try out one of our proudest products here at Kava Dot Com today; the Premium Vanuatu Noble Powdered Kava Root. We offer it in 4oz (125g), 8oz (250g), or 16oz (500g) packages for your convenience. I guarantee, though, if you try just a small package, you will be back for more. I’ve had even the most adamantly opposed to Kava instantly convert within 15 minutes after trying our new Vanuatu Happy Kava Root.
Aloha & Mahalo,
Bryan Kava
EMMA
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4 Responses
Hi Bryan,
Nice article. I appreciate all the info. I’m looking to get the “authentic” kava experience by using the powdered roots myself. I was wondering what the shelf life of a freshly prepared drink is. If I prepare and filter it in the morning can I casually sip it throughout the day and still expect it to work. I’ve read before that prepared drinks should be consumed immediately because the kavalactones are only stable for a few minutes. Although this may have been for preparations with warm/hot water. Do you have any experience/recommendations with this?
Adrian,
Thanks for the kind words! I’m pleased to answer your question about the shelf life of kava drinks as well. The simple answer is that kava, when extracted into a drink, will last at least a week in your fridge, up to 2 weeks.
Having said that, though, in relation to casually sipping your kava throughout the day: Kava is traditionally meant to be consumed in one big gulp! I’ve had upwards of 6 shells in a typical day (about 2/3 of a cup of kava drink at a time), but each one was gulped all at once. The effects of kava are felt when enough kavalactone can metabolize in your body at once, so sipping throughout the day will get the essence of kava, but not as much of the pleasurable or other physiological effects.
Connected at the Roots,
Bryan
My Kava never lasts longer than a week …. Because i drink it all ??
Joe,
LOL; we have the exact same problem with any Kava we make around our fulfillment center! Thanks for sharing your “issue” with us!
Mahalo,
Team Kava