The Easiest Way to Make Kava Taste Better

Why Does Kava Taste Bitter?

Most of us would agree, we don’t drink kava for the taste, we drink it for the effects. Everyone can appreciate the effects, but some new kava drinkers may find the taste challenging. Why is that?

Kava is a root dug from the ground and as such has an earthy, woody taste. Since
the plant, piper methysticum is a member of the pepper family, there is often some
pepperiness in there as well. But some kavas can have all this and still taste
downright bitter, which can be disagreeable.

The Source of Bitterness

The bitterness comes from the intrinsic chemical compounds of the plant, which help ward off insects. These compounds, called kavalactones, are also what give kava its wonderful mood-enhancing properties.

Diving into the plant itself a little more deeply, there are two parts to the kava root:

• Basal root (root ball or chips) – Less bitter

• Lateral roots (waka) – Very bitter due to higher kavalactone concentration

When you drink traditional powdered kava, it is usually a mixture of these two root parts. The bitterness can vary dramatically depending on the ratio of chips to waka, as well as the specific cultivar of kava used.

Using Chasers to Mask Bitterness

While some people adulterate kava with other things to change the taste, we do not recommend this. We prefer to not add anything directly to our kava, the earthy pepperiness reminds you of origin. It encourages you to recognize kava is not just a soda to be downed thoughtlessly. Having said that, a more traditional way remove bitterness from the kava drinking experience is to use a chaser.

Some effective chasers include:

• Kombucha – The tangy taste quickly neutralises bitterness.
• Fruit Juice – Sweet, natural flavours counteract the harsh taste of kava.

Enjoy Kava Without the Bitterness

Whether you drink kava with or without a chaser, don’t let a little bitterness come
between you and happiness. Cheers!