Recommended Kava varieties and suppliers within Australia?

[bridgesoid]

Hello All,

I'm new to the forum but have done quite a bit of reading about Kava here over the past couple of months, a fantastic wealth of information and good natured conversation, thank you for the opportunity to join up Kava has been making a really positive impact on my life and choices and I am really grateful to have it in my life. I have been drinking Kava for about a year now and typically drink "Kava Tonga" brand, has anyone tried this and has an opinion on it? It actually tastes really nice, is very light in colour and of a very fine grind, strongly resembling descriptions of Fu'u in appearance and effect. It's lovely stuff but I would like to mix things up a bit and was wondering if anyone could recommend another variety they regard highly that is sourceable here in Australia? I'd like to have different Kavas that are appropriate for different occasions.. Many thanks for any advice anybody can give me

Bula !

 

[The Kap'n]

Welcome @bridgesoid, glad to have you here! In regards to purchasing in Australia, you may run into somewhat of a dead space (obviously judging by the date on your post). If I'm not mistaken it's either illegal, or almost illegal to import kava, but I've seen evidence going the opposite direction, so really I have no solid evidence either way. I'm not too sure how many Aussies we have here. We had one really awesome member from Australia, but he would take vacations to Vanuatu to get his kava fix.

 

[HeadHodge]

WELCOME @bridgesoid

I don't know for a fact, but I seem to remember reading that you can bring a certain amount of kava into Oz for personal use. But I don't the conditions or amounts.

@Henry is your neighbor over there (NZ) and may be able to shed some light.

Don't know where you're at in Oz, but you may be able bop on over to NZ for a little kava and a rack of lamb.

 

[TheKavaSociety]

It is illegal to import kava to Aussie for individual use via mail without a special permit. At the same time, you are allowed to bring up 2kg of kava powder with you when you travel to Australia via plane. In other words, while you cannot legally order kava from NZ, Fiji or America, you can fly to Auckland (or Hawaii), buy kava there and bring it back with you.

Recently a Fijian company called Taki Mai has managed to secure a permission to sell certain types of kava in Australia as dietary supplement. You may want to get in touch with them and see what they sell. I think they are based in QLD.

 

[nabanga]

When I was in Tonga in September I had a few shells with an Aussie Tongan who was over on Tongatapu visiting relatives.
He took the 2kg allowance back, with another 6kg for his wife & 2 kids, and reckoned that the legal 8kg import paid for his flight, relative to mail order. He said that every person, even infants, flying into Australia gets the 2kg allowance, not just over 18's. They probably don't weigh it either, so you could easily stretch it to 3kg.
Have yourself a long weekend away with Virgin Blue!

 

[bridgesoid]

Hi all,

Thanks so much for all of the helpful replies I really appreciate it I am definitely planning to head over to Vanuatu or Tonga when I can afford it and you can bet that i'll be bringing back my full quota of instant I will probably be heading to NZ sooner than that though so will likely register with the society beforehand Henry and line up some magnificent Hawaiian varietals (never tried anything from over that way should be amazing). I will get in touch with Taki Mai stat, hopefully they have something root or instantish.

I was luckly enough to get some Fijian from a friend here in Aus today and it's quite nice and a good contrast to the Tongan, I sampled this evening. Typical Fijian waka colour, more peppery aroma than the Tong. Same prep and it has a similar sheen to the grog, stronger muddier taste (Tongan has the nicest taste so far for me) and numbs a little differently. Creates a very peaceful, balanced and still feeling which is great , should be good for anxiety and deep thought. I feel in regular lower doses I could enjoy it all day and still get lots of work done. More peaceful and less overtly euphoric-great to have a lovely contrasting variety on hand for as long as I can make it last.. Bula to you all!

 

[Crunked]

Hi all,

I feel in regular lower doses I could enjoy it all day and still get lots of work done. More peaceful and less overtly euphoric-great to have a lovely contrasting variety on hand for as long as I can make it last.. Bula to you all!

What part of Oz are you in?

 

[bridgesoid]

Melbourne

 

[TheKavaSociety]

I'll be in NSW in a few weeks. Obviously I'll bring some nice kava with me. Let me know if anyone wants to drink it with me!

 

[RahRah]

Hi guys,
Im a little confused because I have ordered Kava (supplement form) and had it delivered in New Zealand. Also, a shop in town is selling Kava (powder form).
Does this mean that the product Im getting isn't the legit Kava or what?

 

[kasa_balavu]

Hi guys,
Im a little confused because I have ordered Kava (supplement form) and had it delivered in New Zealand. Also, a shop in town is selling Kava (powder form).
Does this mean that the product Im getting isn't the legit Kava or what?

Kava is legal and unregulated in New Zealand. That said, the kava you get from the shop in town might not be very good. @Henry can tell you more about that.

 

[TheKavaSociety]

To be clear: Kava is legal AND regulated under different legislations in NZ (food act, au nz food standard, dietary supplement legislation, etc). Very sensible legislation. Unfortunately not all vendors adhere to it

 

[RahRah]

Ok good to know! That clears up my curiosity! Thanks.