Discovering Noble Kava: The Ultimate Guide to Kava, Powder, and Root from Fiji

South Pacific islanders have long-held secrets of the land's welcome and generosity in the form of a ceremonial drink that makes you feel like you're part of the lush environment. The bowl filled, the muddy-looking drink prepared, and smiles all around as the intoxicating aroma of the islands brought about a relaxed and engaging spirit.

It's called kava, or kava kava, and now that it's available to those of us in the West, we want to know which kava products to buy so we, too, can feel the peace of the tropics.

Join Real Botanicals’ exploration of the best kava to buy—noble kavas. We'll take a look at what the phrase means, what makes noble kava better, and how you can find your own bit of island spirit at home with noble kava powders. 

What is Noble Kava?

When you go to a convenience store anywhere in the US, you'll see a variety of alcoholic beverages. When you look at these, do you not have an idea of what some of the "worst" ones are? The cheap ones, bad-tasting ones that "gut rot" the stomach for days? You've learned these opinions on things you may or may not have tried. Because you've heard others share their experiences, and this has influenced your opinion of a product or brand name.

The same type of thing happens with any sort of psychoactive plant substance, like kava.

In regions where botanical drinks like kava are often consumed, the locals get an idea of which ones give a pleasant experience, and which ones make you feel pretty awful, or which taste terrible. This is anecdotal evidence to support certain kava strains or cultivars as superior.

But there's more evidence of this, because in Vanuatu, there's documentation. The Vanuatu Kava Act No. 7 of 2002 is a pivotal piece of legislation enacted to regulate the cultivation, classification, and export of kava (Piper methysticum) in Vanuatu. This Act was introduced to ensure the quality and safety of kava products, particularly in response to international concerns about adverse health effects associated with certain kava varieties.

The act names four distinct types of kava:

• Noble Kava: Comprising 28 recognized cultivars, noble kava is traditionally consumed for its favorable effects and lower risk of adverse reactions. (Also, they're known to make kava taste smoother!)

• Tudei ("Two-Day") Kava: Includes 128 cultivars known for prolonged effects and higher levels of certain compounds that may cause undesirable side effects. (These are known to have unpredictable effects that can last for "two days" or more!)

• Medicinal Kava: Encompasses 79 cultivars used specifically for medicinal purposes.

• Wichmannii: Consists of 12 wild-type cultivars, considered the ancestral forms of domesticated kava.  

When it comes to importing really good kava into the US and other countries, it's the noble kavas we're after. There are many noble kavas, but thanks to this act of legislation, it's clearer industry-wide. 

Understanding the Kava Plant and Its Origin

The Piper methysticum plant has an interesting history. Cultivation began with the Piper wichmannii type, which was first cultivated and selectively bred into milder, sterile cultivars. Yes, sterile. 

This means that to continue the ceremonial, traditional, medicinal, social, and conflict resolution purposes for this important plant, it had to evolve alongside the cultures that appreciated it. Islanders developed other cultivars, but today this plant largely depends on human cultivation to continue propagation.

Without human cultivation, noble kavas would not reproduce. Without the noble kavas, a rich cultural partnership between man and plant would also have faded into history.

Today, the lateral root systems of Piper methysticum are where we get our noble kavas. This kava root is ground into powders and shipped across the seas to vendors like Real Botanicals, who test, package, and ship it to you. We also get kava extracts to make our kratom and kava shots, a wildly popular choice in the US for those who want a kick of energy and social comfort.

Characteristics of Noble Kava vs Other Kava Cultivars

Noble kavas share specific characteristics that make them superior to their Tudei counterparts.

• Traditional Use: Long history of safe use in traditional ceremonies and social settings. Used as a beverage in Vanuatu and other Pacific Islands like Fiji, not only for medicinal or ritual purposes. Low occurrence of adverse effects.

• Chemotype or Kavalactone Profile: Favorable kavain-dominant chemotype of the six main kavalactones (active compounds). Cultivars with high DHK or DHM dominance are excluded due to their sedative or toxic-like effects.
  
  

• Desmethoxyyangonin (DMY)

• Dihydrokavain (DHK)

• Yangonin (Y)

• Kavain (K)

• Dihydromethysticin (DHM)

• Methysticin (M)
  
  

• Psychotropic Effects: Tudei and wild types often produce long-lasting, lethargic effects and are therefore not considered noble. Noble varieties must have effects that are:
  

• Pleasant and clear-headed.

• Short to medium duration (no lingering “kava hangover”).
  
  

• Botanical Characteristics: Cultivars must be domesticated and non-sterile clones (as noble kava is generally propagated vegetatively). 

• Agronomic Standards: The plants must be:
  

• At least 5 years old before harvest.

• Organically cultivated.

• Grown under local, traditional farming practices.
  
  

• Exclusion of Non-Noble Types: Explicit exclusion of:
  

• "Tudei" cultivars, despite their popularity in some regions.

• Medicinal-only kavas are used in limited, traditional healing contexts.

• Wild kavas (e.g., Piper wichmannii), can have erratic or toxic profiles.

What Makes Noble Kava the Finest Noble?

Further distinctions make noble kavas the finest of all the kava varietals. These include a balanced chemotype, dominant in dihydrokavain (DHK), kavain, and methysticin. Noble kavas will be harvested only from the lateral root systems, and not include the upper parts of the kava plant. Noble kavas will have a superior taste and texture to those harvested from inferior, Tudei varietals.

Benefits of Kava | Noble Kava Powder

If you're new to kava, you may not realize just how many beneficial qualities this plant has to offer. Use of kava dates back over 3000 years, and when you take a look at the plant's effects, it's easy to see why. From the first tingly sip to the next few hours of relaxation and pleasant feelings, noble kavas are celebrated for their wide range of effects.

With botanicals, everyone's body reacts a little differently, but many kava users may feel these effects:

• Studies have demonstrated that kava has some anxiolytic properties, making it useful as a relaxing supplement.

• Noble kavas are relaxing and may help you unwind. Some describe it as turning off the "mental chatter" and ushering in a feeling of openness.

• Kava may be more helpful than alcohol if you have a difficult time getting sleepy before bed. Many in the West consider kava a preferred alternative to alcohol.

• Kava is relaxing rather than intoxicating.

• No hangovers with noble kavas.

• Some enjoy kava's effects and feel muscle tension melt away. This may ease discomforts, as well.

• Many kava lovers report a "warm and fuzzy" feeling from noble kava that makes it pleasant to use.
  
  

How does Noble Kava Differ from Tudei Kava?

When you want to buy kava, of course you want to get a smooth experience with balanced feelings of calm, relaxation, and pleasantness. This means shopping exclusively for noble kava varieties, and selecting a good kava vendor. Below, we'll tell you a little more about the distinctions between noble and non-noble kavas, and give you some pointers on selecting the best kavas (and where to buy them!).

Understanding the Tudei Strain and Its Effects

Why are the Tudei kavas so hard on the system? Remember those kavalactones we mentioned? Certain ones are stronger in terms of adverse effects. Plus, with these less-desirable types of kava, hepatotoxicity is more of a concern. In Vanuatu, for example, non-noble kava varieties are now under a no-export kava ban. This is due to their low-quality kavalactone content and undesirable or unpredictable effects.

• Poor Quality of Kava Raw: Commonly made from non-noble cultivars like Isa or Palisi, which often contain higher levels of dihydrokavain, dihydromethysticin, and flavokavains A & B, which may:

• Inhibit liver enzymes (like CYP450).

• Disrupt GSH levels.

• Induce apoptosis (cell death) in liver cells via oxidative mechanisms.
  
  

• Taste Bad: All kavas are members of the pepper family, Piperaceae. Between the quality of kava raw material, plant terpenes, and poor kavalactone content, these varieties can be especially bitter and difficult to drink in a kava tea form.

• Sedation: Higher risk of sedation, grogginess, or brain fog. Can continue into the next day in "kava hangover".

• Increased Risk of Hepatotoxicity: Not only might these varieties be harder to digest due to their lower quality powder forms, the risk of taxing your liver may be increased, as well. This means Tudei kavas are rarely considered good for daily use, socially, or as dietary supplements.

• Possibly Induces GSH-Sensitive Oxidative Stress: Certain compounds in non-noble or Tudei kava may cause cellular oxidative damage, particularly in a way that involves glutathione (GSH), the body’s major antioxidant.

Comparative Analysis of Noble Kava and Tudei Kava

Let's take a look at how noble kavas compare to the more intoxicating and problematic non-noble kava varieties, the Tudei ones:

How to Choose the Best Noble Kava Products?

If you aren't native to the Pacific Islands, then you may be baffled by some of the varieties of kava cultivars you see advertised on the internet. Fresh kava, straight from the Fiji Islands! Instant kava of the highest quality! What does all that mean when you just want to buy the best kava? 

Identifying High-quality Noble Kava Powder

The U.S. doesn't restrict imports to only noble kava, so it helps to be able to recognize the noble variants. But, unless the packaging designates the kava product as being noble, how can you know? 

There are a few indicators you can look for to make sure you are buying the best kava in noble form.

• Origin: Place of origin can be an indicator. For example, in Hawaii, most cultivars are noble, as is true in Fiji. Popular Fijian noble kava includes Dokobana Vula, Vula Waka, and Loa Kasa Leka. Since Vanuatu restricts exports to only the noble varieties, you can look for Vanuatu cultivars like these:
  
  

• Borogu – Popular and balanced; sociable effects

• Borongoru – Heavier, more sedating; widely used in exports

• Melomelo – Smooth, relaxing; great for anxiety relief

• Palarasul – Mellow, euphoric; less sedating

• Siméti – Light, mentally clear; good daytime option

• Nangol – Mild and uplifting

• Gorgor – Balanced, clean finish
  
  

• Root Material: Look for information on the kava brand's sourcing. You'll want to see that the kava is sourced from the root material only. 

• Chemotype Certification: The chemotype of a kava strain will be a 6-digit number correlating to the top six kavalactones. When you familiarize yourself with the kavalactones, this can help you select the strains you'll most enjoy. (The numbers appear in this form: 2-4-6-1-3-5.) Noble varieties tend to start with 2-4-6.

• Lab Testing: Good kava vendors will lab test their products and provide you a Certificate of Analysis verifying its purity, potency, and often the chemotyping.

Most reputable kava exporters and vendors voluntarily limit exports to noble varieties, especially from countries like Vanuatu, Fiji, and Samoa, where noble kava is the legal export standard. Real Botanicals only offers noble kava or its derivatives in our products. This makes for easier and more confident shopping with us!

Learn more about noble kava drinks.

What to Look for in Kava Beverages

If you buy a pre-made kava beverage made with kava extracts, then the kavalactone content is there, while the rest of the plant material is not. This makes it a little easier because the origin is less important. 

• Read the Label: Look for kavalactone content and ask the vendor for more information, if needed.

• Packaging: Packaging should be dark or amber in color to prevent sunlight from degrading the kavalactone content. Packaging should be resealable and ensure the product remains free of contaminants or moisture.

• Cold-pressed or Traditional Extraction: As with many botanical extracts, the extraction method plays a crucial role in preserving active compounds. In the case of kava, cold-pressed or traditional extraction techniques are considered the most effective for maintaining the integrity of kavalactones and, to some extent, the accompanying flavonoids. These methods help protect the delicate chemical structure of these compounds, ensuring potency and safety in the final product.

Where to Buy the Best Kava Products

Welcome to the kava family. String up a hammock and enjoy the atmosphere!

Real Botanicals works hard behind the scenes to source the best noble kava for our premium botanical drinks. Our methods are in-house, thorough, and maintained with the integrity of kava tradition and your safe and enjoyable experiences in mind. Explore our Mood Boost kava drinks in the little red bottle! Or shop our full store of life-enhancing botanicals like kava, kratom products, kratom kava shots, and 7-Hydroxy products.