What does kava taste like?

Traditional kava tastes earthy, bitter and slightly peppery, with a muddy texture from the root particles left in suspension. It also produces a distinctive numbing or tingling sensation on the lips and tongue, which comes from the kavalactones themselves rather than from any additive.

It's a distinctive taste, and like most botanicals it rewards knowing what to do with it. In it's traditional form serve cold and drink quickly. If it's an extract spiand/or flavored mix into something longer, it goes down easily.

How the format changes it:

• Traditionally strained root — earthy, bitter, muddy texture, strong numbing
• Instant kava — the same profile, smoother texture
• Extract shots — more concentrated, but over in a mouthful
• Flavoured kava spirits — bitterness largely masked; the numbing is still there

The numbing is normal. A mild tingling on the lips and tongue within a minute of drinking is expected. It fades in a few minutes and is not a sign that anything is wrong.

Why format matters. Bitterness is dose-related and contact-related. A 1.5 fl oz shot delivers its kavalactones quickly and is over in a mouthful, which most people find easier than sipping a full bowl. Flavoured preparations mask the earthiness — Kavayn's Pineapple-Coconut spirit is built around that.

Getting the best out of it: serve it cold, mix it with something citrus or sweet, or make a longer drink with soda or juice. Temperature makes the biggest single difference — kava is a much better drink cold.