What Is Kava? The Pacific's Traditional Relaxation Drink, Explained

Short answer: Kava is a traditional drink made from the root of the Piper methysticum plant, consumed across the Pacific Islands for centuries in social and ceremonial settings. It is valued for producing a relaxed, settled, sociable feeling without alcohol. Today, many people drink kava simply to unwind in the evening.

Where Kava Comes From

Kava is made from the root of Piper methysticum, a pepper plant native to the South Pacific. In Fiji it is known as yaqona (often just "grog"), and it holds a central place in daily and ceremonial life across Fiji, Vanuatu, Tonga, Samoa and beyond. The dried root is ground, mixed with water and strained into a communal bowl (a tanoa in Fiji), then shared from a coconut-shell cup.

What Kava Is Traditionally Used For

• Welcoming guests and marking occasions. In Fiji, a sevusevu, a gift of kava, is a customary sign of respect when visiting a village.
• Bringing people together. Kava sessions are social, unhurried and conversational.
• Winding down. Its calming quality is why it is shared in the evening.
• Supporting ceremony and community, including welcomes, milestones and resolving disputes.

What Kava Feels Like

People typically describe a relaxed, calm, clear-headed and sociable feeling, quite unlike alcohol. Kava does not cause intoxication in the way alcohol does, and drinkers stay lucid. A mild, temporary numbing of the lips and tongue is normal and comes from the kavalactones, the active compounds.

A Note on Responsible Use

Kava is for adults. As with anything, moderation matters, and kava products in Australia may carry a warning that kava may harm the liver. Avoid combining kava with alcohol, and speak to a health professional first if you have a liver condition, are pregnant or breastfeeding, or take medication.

FAQ

Is kava alcoholic?
No. Kava contains no alcohol. Its relaxing quality comes from natural compounds called kavalactones, not from ethanol.

Does kava get you drunk or high?
Kava does not produce intoxication like alcohol. Most people describe feeling relaxed and calm while staying clear-headed.

Is kava legal in Australia?
Noble kava is sold legally in Australia. Import and product rules are regulated, and some products are classed as complementary medicines. You can browse the FijiKava range here.