The Kava Journal

Field notes, research, history, culture, cultivation, and observations from more than two decades working with kava.

Understanding Kava Varieties: Noble, Tudei, and Papua ISA
Understanding Kava Varieties: Noble, Tudei, and Papua ISA
Science & Research
4 min read

Understanding Kava Varieties: Noble, Tudei, and Papua ISA

Understanding Kava Varieties: Noble, Tudei, and Papua ISA In the diverse world of kava, not all varieties are created equal....
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Six ways into the archive.

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Latest from the Journal

The 2026 Proposed Kava Flavor Wheel: seven flavor families in the inner ring, each resolving into five descriptors in the outer ring
Flavor Journal of American Kava Kava Science Research
1 min read
What Does Kava Taste Like? The Kava Flavor Wheel, Explained

Earthy, nutty, peppery, piney, green: a new monograph in The Journal of American Kava proposes a kava flavor wheel with seven families and 35 descriptors, plus mouthfeel and defect wheels. Here is what each flavor means and how to taste for it.

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Two Root of Happiness kavatenders demonstrating traditional hand preparation of kava.
Journal of American Kava Kava Preparation Kava Research Root of Happiness
1 min read
What's in the Shell? Root of Happiness Kava Research

Five Root of Happiness kavatenders, one recipe, six lab-tested batches: a short look at Journal of American Kava Article 023 and how Root of Happiness contributed its kava and expert staff to the research.

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