What is Kava Tea? A History of Kava Tea in Hawaii

Some people might say that drinking kava instead of alcohol is a much healthier choice. Some of those people are probably from Hawaii, which they have every reason to think.

The people of the Pacific Islands have been drinking this very earthy tea for a long time, and its popularity is making a very loud comeback.

Hawaiian ‘awa – What is Kava Tea?

The Hawaiian kava plant, called ‘awa, is said to have been brought to the islands by the gods Kane and Kanaloa from their home islands in Polynesia. Since it became part of Hawaiian mythology, kava became known as the drink of the gods and was respected as such. In the past, kava tea was used in most important ceremonies, especially religious ones that honored the Hawaiian gods.

Most of the time, the kava tea was poured or sprayed on a shrine, and the rest was drunk by a kahuna, who was in charge of the ceremony. For a long time, only important people were allowed to drink kava because it was thought to be holy. They couldn’t keep it a secret for long, though, because farmers also started drinking it to pray for a good harvest. As cold brew became more popular, the Hawaiians used ceremonies to bring the community together in another way.

Kava culture – Polynesian Kava

Aside from being important in Hawaiian religion and mythology, the drink was great for any occasion because it was soothing. The root of the kava plant is used to make a cold tea. It is ground up into a fine powder, and then cold water is added. The next step is to strain this liquid to make it easier to drink. Even though it tastes as bad as it sounds, the tea is said to have health benefits that make up for how bad it tastes. Some people have even said that it can cure everything from sleeplessness to infections.

People all over the world now drink kava tea, not just in Hawaii and other Polynesian islands. It is well-known for putting people to sleep and making them feel calm and happy at the same time. Modernized kava bars have opened in Hawaii and even stressful places like New York City, as it is a healthier alternative to alcohol. This has brought back its popularity in a whole new way. Because kava is never made ahead of time, the person who drinks it can watch the whole process, which is a unique and interesting thing to do.

Topic: What is Kava Tea? A History of Kava Tea in Hawaii

Become a member of Our Community on Facebook “I Left My Heart in Hawaii”. A place where members open up to one another, share their stories, travel photos, and experience a different way to travel Hawaii – together.

By: Travel Pixy