WHAT IS KAVA?

We are asked this kava question about 100 times a week at minimum. Kava is many things to many people. First and foremost kava is a plant from the south Pacific. The latin Drink Kava at the Nakava in Boca Raton name for kava is Piper methysticum. This literally translates into "intoxicating pepper" in our English language. The scientific name Piper may sound familiar to you, especially if you spend a lot of time in the kitchen. The Piper plants are in the pepper family. One of the close relatives of the kava plant is the common spice Piper nigrum, or what we would call black pepper at the dinner table.

The word kava is also the name of the intoxicating drink made from the roots of the kava plant. Did we say intoxicating? Well, a more accurate description of the effects of the kava drink would be euphoric. Kava has been consumed by the indigenous people of the south Pacific for thousands of years. Vanuatu, Fiji, Tonga, Samoa, and Papua New Guinea are some of the countries where kava is grown and used traditionally. Kava is also consumed in Hawaiii, right here in our back yard.

Kava is prepared differently in each part of the world. Making kava in Vanuatu for instance involves fresh green kava roots that have not been dried.Kava made in this fashion is often called kava juice.This method is also used in Hawaii sometimes. In Fiji, Samoa, and Tonga dried, powdered kava root is preferred to be used for making the kava drink.The nakamal or kava bar market in Noumea, New Caledonia also uses dried kava powder to make the kava which is served daily.?Here in the United States we are just starting to appreciate the speed and ease with which new, instant kava powder products can be prepared.

We already have an entire website full of kava information?at our online retail store,Nakamal At Home. For more in depth information about any of the highlighted topics above, just click on them and you will be led there.

NOTICE: Statements on this site have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). These products are not intended to diagnose, prevent, treat, or cure any disease. Please consult a qualified healthcare practitioner for medical advice.

Last Updated ( Tuesday, 23 October 2007 )

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South Florida Poet Performer Mr. Whispers @ Nakava Kava Bar

	South Florida Poet Performer Mr. Whispers @ Nakava Kava Bar Mr. Whispers performing poetry atNakava kava bar open mic in Boca Raton. Support local music and local arts scene. This performance took place on June 12, 2008 in Boca Raton, Florida. Nakava kava bar is North America's first kava bar. Kava is traditional south Pacific drink made from the roots of a pepper plant. People, generally, drink kava because they enjoy the relaxing effect of kava. Nakava kava bar hosts an open mic every Thursday starting at 9:30pm. Nakava kava bar serves kava, tea, juices, sodas, and now smoothies. For more informtion about kava or Boca Raton's kava bar visit [ www.nakava.com ] [ http ].	From: dragonproject Views: 421 2 ratings
	Time: 02:27	More in Entertainment

Live Music: Eric and Ricky @ Nakava Kava Bar

	Live Music: Eric and Ricky @ Nakava Kava Bar Ricky and Eric performing at Nakava kava bar open mic on June 16, 2008. Nakava kava bar hosts a weekly open mic every Thursday starting at 9:30pm. red.dragon-project.com	From: dragonproject Views: 552 0 ratings
	Time: 04:37	More in Music

Langerado 2008: Sierra Leone's Refugee All-Stars

	Langerado 2008: Sierra Leone's Refugee All-Stars Sierra Leone's Refugee All-Stars performed among a long line-up of music greats at the 5th Annual Langerado Music Festival. The festival took place at the Big Cypress Seminole Indian Reservation in Florida. Langerado took place March 6-9, 2008. Sierra Leone's Refugee All-Stars performed in the early evening on the Everglades Stage on Friday, March 7. Their performance took place during G Love and Special Sauce Performance, which was followed the Roots, the Beastie Boys closed the night on the main stage. red.dragon-project.com	From: dragonproject Views: 3334 1 ratings
	Time: 02:26	More in Music

Acoustic Guitar: David @ Nakava Kava Bar

	Acoustic Guitar: David @ Nakava Kava Bar David performing acoustic music atNakava kava bar open mic in Boca Raton. Support local music and local arts scene. This performance took place on April 17, 2008 in Boca Raton, Florida. Nakava kava bar is North America's first kava bar. Kava is traditional south Pacific drink made from the roots of a pepper plant. People, generally, drink kava because they enjoy the relaxing effect of kava. Nakava kava bar hosts an open mic every Thursday starting at 9:30pm. Nakava kava bar serves kava, tea, juices, sodas, and now smoothies. For more informtion about kava or Boca Raton's kava bar visit [ www.nakava.com ] [ http ].	From: dragonproject Views: 477 0 ratings
	Time: 05:34	More in People & Blogs

Acoustic Guitar: Eric @ Nakava Kava Bar

	Acoustic Guitar: Eric @ Nakava Kava Bar Eric performing acoustic guitar music atNakava kava bar open mic in Boca Raton. Support local music and local arts scene. This performance took place on April 10, 2008 in Boca Raton, Florida. Nakava kava bar is North America's first kava bar. Kava is traditional south Pacific drink made from the roots of a pepper plant. People, generally, drink kava because they enjoy the relaxing effect of kava. Nakava kava bar hosts an open mic every Thursday starting at 9:30pm. Nakava kava bar serves kava, tea, juices, sodas, and now smoothies. For more informtion about kava or Boca Raton's kava bar visit [ www.nakava.com ] [ http ].	From: dragonproject Views: 1089 2 ratings
	Time: 07:00	More in Music

Acoustic Guitar: David @ Nakava Kava Bar

	Acoustic Guitar: David @ Nakava Kava Bar Davidperforming at Nakava kava bar open mic in Boca Raton. Support local music and local arts scene. This performance took place on April 17, 2008 in Boca Raton, Florida. Nakava kava bar is North America's first kava bar. Kava is traditional south Pacific drink made from the roots of a pepper plant. People, generally, drink kava because they enjoy the relaxing effect of kava. Nakava kava bar hosts an open mic every Thursday starting at 9:30pm. Nakava kava bar serves kava, tea, juices, sodas, and now smoothies. For more informtion about kava or Boca Raton's kava bar visit [ www.nakava.com ] [ http ].	From: dragonproject Views: 200 0 ratings
	Time: 02:58	More in Music

Acoustic Guitar: David @ Nakava Kava Bar

	Acoustic Guitar: David @ Nakava Kava Bar Davidperforming at Nakava kava bar open mic in Boca Raton. Support local music and local arts scene. This performance took place on April 17, 2008 in Boca Raton, Florida. Nakava kava bar is North America's first kava bar. Kava is traditional south Pacific drink made from the roots of a pepper plant. People, generally, drink kava because they enjoy the relaxing effect of kava. Nakava kava bar hosts an open mic every Thursday starting at 9:30pm. Nakava kava bar serves kava, tea, juices, sodas, and now smoothies. For more informtion about kava or Boca Raton's kava bar visit [ www.nakava.com ] [ http ].	From: dragonproject Views: 150 0 ratings
	Time: 02:37	More in Music

Open Mic Poetry: Carla @ Nakava Kava Bar

	Open Mic Poetry: Carla @ Nakava Kava Bar Carla performing poetry atNakava kava bar open mic in Boca Raton. Support local music and local arts scene. This performance took place on August 23, 2007 in Boca Raton, Florida. Nakava kava bar is North America's first kava bar. Kava is traditional south Pacific drink made from the roots of a pepper plant. People, generally, drink kava because they enjoy the relaxing effect of kava. Nakava kava bar hosts an open mic every Thursday starting at 9:30pm. Nakava kava bar serves kava, tea, juices, sodas, and now smoothies. For more informtion about kava or Boca Raton's kava bar visit [ www.nakava.com ] [ http ].	From: dragonproject Views: 429 0 ratings
	Time: 02:04	More in Entertainment

Florida Music Artists: Kenny Ruf & Jill Brooks @ Nakava Kava

	Florida Music Artists: Kenny Ruf & Jill Brooks @ Nakava Kava Kenny Ruf and Jill Brooksperforming at Nakava kava bar open mic in Boca Raton. Support local music and local arts scene. This performance took place on April 17, 2008 in Boca Raton, Florida. Nakava kava bar is North America's first kava bar. Kava is traditional south Pacific drink made from the roots of a pepper plant. People, generally, drink kava because they enjoy the relaxing effect of kava. Nakava kava bar hosts an open mic every Thursday starting at 9:30pm. Nakava kava bar serves kava, tea, juices, sodas, and now smoothies. For more informtion about kava or Boca Raton's kava bar visit [ www.nakava.com ] [ http ].	From: dragonproject Views: 438 0 ratings
	Time: 03:25	More in Music

SoFla Live Music: Ken Ruf & Glenn @ Nakava Kava Bar

	SoFla Live Music: Ken Ruf & Glenn @ Nakava Kava Bar Kenny Ruf and Glennperforming at Nakava kava bar open mic in Boca Raton. Support local music and local arts scene. This performance took place on August 23, 2007 in Boca Raton, Florida. Nakava kava bar is North America's first kava bar. Kava is traditional south Pacific drink made from the roots of a pepper plant. People, generally, drink kava because they enjoy the relaxing effect of kava. Nakava kava bar hosts an open mic every Thursday starting at 9:30pm. Nakava kava bar serves kava, tea, juices, sodas, and now smoothies. For more informtion about kava or Boca Raton's kava bar visit [ www.nakava.com ] [ http ].	From: dragonproject Views: 302 0 ratings
	Time: 02:57	More in Music