|
We always receive a lot of
questions about whether or not it is possible to make
kava tea out of powdered or shredded kava root. You most
definitely cannot, and should not, use the traditional
methods used to brew a cup of tea!
Why is this? - Well,
without getting technical, active constituents in kava
are destroyed at temperatures required for making tea.
The active ingredients (such as Kavalactone; only one of
the 25 active alkaloids in Kava root) are ruined at only
140 degrees Fahrenheit, but a typical cup of tea steeps
at 180 degrees or more for at least three to five
minutes. That few minutes of steeping is more than
enough heat to destroy any of the desirable active
ingredients that were present in the kava when you
started out.
Also, when most people refer to kava, they are actually
referring to the root of the kava plant. The kava root
is where the most potent active ingredients are, and the
highest quality kava extract (and non-poisonous) will
only utilize pure kava root. You want to steer clear of
kava that utilizes stems and peelings, as they will not
produce the desired effects and may possibly be linked
to liver damage. At Kona Kava Farm, every one of our
products is made with only the
Kava
Root, harvested from our all-natural
organic family farm, and aged for more than four years
to ensure maximum potency. The strain of kava root that
we grow is called Mahakea, which is known for its
extreme potency. To throw out some more technical mumbo
jumbo, our Kava Root has the most desirable (because of
the potency associated with this specific line-up) and
sought-after 4-2-6 Kavalactone chemotype.
As a result, we've done our
absolute best to craft an entire line of Kava Products
that will entice even the most apprehensive customer in,
including our 2 delicious flavors of
Kava Chai Teas, which of course, are meant
to be enjoyed as cold teas and not hot ones!
One can make quite a delicious and healthy cold kava
tea. This is simply a way to describe the process of
extracting the active ingredients from the kava root
into a liquid such as water or milk. Both water or milk
are great for extracting kava, since kavalactones leech
into either liquid quite well. However, the absolute
best liquid to pull out the active ingredients of kava
is anything with fat in it, whether it's cows milk, soy
milk, or coconut milk – those are your best choices for
extraction and to make a tasty kava drink. Be careful
with traditional tea strainers though; the mesh is not
fine enough to hold in the kava tea, and too much will
escape into your cup. That is why we sell fine muslin
bags to use to strain the kava.
Just like normal tea – except no heat is used in the
extraction - once you have steeped your drink for a
while, you can squeeze all the liquid out of your solid
material, and throw it away. Then, sit back, relax, and
enjoy your creation at night, before going to sleep,
while spending time with a loved one, or even at a party
with your friends. The truth is, is that this plant is
so versatile, that not only does it come in many forms,
it is great for many different situations as well.
Many people who use kava find that it helps them focus,
relax, and be more at ease in a social context. These
effects have been documented by the Pacific Islanders
who have made kava-use a part of their traditional
customs. Kava produces an effect on the body like no
other botanical. Unlike other herbs or even prescription
medications, kava calms as well as focuses, and it is
used by everyone from athletes to businessmen to those
who just want to have a peaceful ending to their day.
Perhaps the best part about kava is that despite all of
these beneficial effects, it is completely
non-addictive.
If you absolutely must make kava tea out of your
personal supply, there is one way to make something that
is warm, but not hot. Crock Pots, on their lowest
setting, will gently heat anything at 120 degrees. This
is still cool enough to not destroy the active
components, but hot enough to sip away at your drink in
your favorite place, if you are one of the rare few who
actually enjoy sipping this herbal beverage! |
