Kava - Coming to Canada?

If you have ever been to Fiji, there is no doubt in my mind that you have tried, or at least are aware of their national drink called kava or yaqona in Fijian.

Kava comes from the Kava plant and is made from the dried root that is pounded into a powder. This powder is then placed in a clothe bag and massaged in a kava bowl full of water.

The drink in Fiji and other Polynesian and Melanesian countries is steeped in tradition. In Fiji, to this day it is still it is still an incredibly popular drink especially with the men who typically gather around the kava bowl with their guitars to sing, tell stories and socialize as a form of entertainment.

I still clearly recall the first time I tried kava myself. Sitting around crossed legged on a little paradise sand island called Leluvia off the coast from Suva. The warm tropical breeze blew across the island rustling the palm leaves and the small group of us gathered as the men played guitar, everyone sang and the young Fijian children danced with glee.

The kava was served in a half coconut shell and drank one person at a time. As done traditionally, we clapped once to accept the coconut shell full of a murky, light brown water and then chugged the full bowl down while clapping twice and passing the bowl back to be refilled for the next person.

What does it taste like? The best description I can think of is muddy water. Not something the average North American would crave or describe as good - it is definitely an acquired taste!However, when you drink enough of it your tongue and lips start to tingle a little and it puts you into nice state of relaxation and tranquililty without disrupting your mental clarity.

Fijians grow up on kava and here in our Western World, most have never even heard of it. There are some people here in North American that are taking kava for medicinal purposes to help with anxiety and stress - but on the whole, kava is largely unheard of and not available here in Canada.

That all might change though. The European Union has recently lifted its ban on kava and the Fijian kava producers are hoping the same is going to happen here in Canada as Canada currently reviews their stance on the ban. The prospect of increased exports excites the kava producers of Fiji.

So whether you try it here in Canada one day or not, it is a must do on any trip to Fiji to sample a taste of such a huge part of the Fijian Culture.

Watch a Fiji Cultural Video - Click Here

Check out this story from the Fiji Times Online - Click Here

Photo 1 - Kava Ceremony on Robinson Crusoe Island

Photo 2 - Beach on the island of Leluvia