Kava Definition

The word “kava” refers to the plant species Piper methysticum and/or to the traditional beverage obtained by cold water extraction of the plant’s drinkable parts.

The word “kava” also refers to the Piper methysticum varieties known to have a history of safe traditional usage.

The Fijian varieties are:

• – Loa kasa leka;
• – Loa kasa balavu;
• – Vula kasa leka;
• – Vula kasa balavu;
• – Dokobana vula;
• – Dokobana loa;
• – Qilaleka;
• – Qila balavu;
• – Matakaro leka;
• – Matakaro balavu;
• – Yonolulu ;
• – Damu; &
• – Yalu.

The kava plant parts proven to have a history of safe traditional usage are:

• –  roots (unpeeled),
• –  stumps or rhizomes (always peeled).
• –  basal stems (always peeled)

Click here to download and read the full Fiji Kava Quality Standard.