Gourmet Hawaiian Kava - Hanakapi'Ai

As a newcomer to Gourmet Hawaiian Kava, my expectations have been built up in an unparalleled fashion. They have been celebrated for taking a kind of revolutionary approach to ensuring a pipeline of certified Noble Kava that is grown in Hawaii and harvested fresh, packaged, and delivered directly to a very solid base of customers. By cutting out the international dimension of buying and selling Kava, Gourmet Hawaiian Kava guarantees a product that they know from the inside out. And boy does it show.

I chose to order Hanakapi'Ai as my first Gourmet Hawaiian Kava for no particular reason. I just scanned the available Kavas and grabbed the first name that jumped out. I have been told great things about the Hiwa and Nene Kavas that are sold by Gourmet Hawaiian Kava, but you can often tell how good a vendor is by buying some of their less talked-about stuff. I made a good choice.

Hanakapi'Ai has a silky smooth, almost almond milk taste when squeezed to medium strength. I'd say  three heaping tablespoons to one cup of water should get you a fine tasting strong Kava. If you overdo it, it has an overwhelming peppery flavor that might cause you to shake a bit. But if you aren't in it for the taste and want to be blown away quickly, you might want to opt for a cup of Kava to two cups of water. But don't say I didn't warn you!

Of course, you can see how this stuff hits just by watching the video above. But I'll try to walk you through it. A heavy numbing taste on the palate radiates out to the limbs pretty efficiently, letting your muscles kind of droop away from any stress that has inflated them. This Kava is particularly felt in the eyes. I got a kind of heavy stoniness behind my eyes that made me feel like there literally wasn't a care in the world.

Hanakapi'Ai not a "down" Kava. Don't drink this before going to sleep, because it provides some entertainment in the form of humorous thoughts, creative ideation, and absurd observation. I wanted to get to sleep early, but instead got myself into a writing frenzy.

• Strength (Mind) - 9.5/10
• Strength (Body) - 9/10
• Flavor 8.5/10
• Overall Strength: High - Very Strong
• Best time to drink: Evening Kava or Weekend Kava

The chemotype for GHK Hanakapi'Ai is 423651 with an overall kavalactone content of 9.13%.

Cactus Kava - 'Eva

Cactus Kava keeps their name in the Kavasseur headlines with this warm, mellow and highly sedating medium grind from Vanuatu. With a mature, frothy drink that goes down smoothly and permeates the body rapidly, 'Eva is a choice afternoon Kava for days where you need to get an extra low charging buzz. It is not advised as a daytime Kava unless 

This Kava is a certain compliment to Ono in that it can easily top off the week or be consumed generously on a weekend where deep relaxation is on the menu. You could Ono all week and 'Eva all weekend and have a good Kava plan in action. 

No observed undesirable side effects come along with a date with 'Eva. I would suggest not drinking this on a day where you need to be productive. This is the ultimate medicinal Kava!

• Strength (Mind) - 9/10
• Strength (Body) - 8.5/10
• Flavor 8/10
• Overall Strength: High - Low-Medium
• Best time to drink: Evening Kava or Weekend Kava

The chemotype for Cactus Kava 'Eva is 423616 with an overall kavalactone content of 7.05%.

Bula Kava House - Solomon's Kava

Bula Kava House has got its hands on some rare Solomon Islands Kava, which only a few vendors have carried up to this point. Oddly, I encountered some Solomon Islands Kava last week at a new Kava bar that opened in San Diego. But, like many Kava bars, they brewed theirs a little on the weak side and flushed out the flavor with coconut juice.

This Kava is a heavy and heady super combo that hits you quick and pretty hard. It has a very pleasant, mellow flavor reminiscent of a Tongan or Fijian Kava, but a rapid punch impact that reminds you of a Vanuatuan Kava. The taste, like other Solomon Island Kavas I have had, is absolutely stellar and would make for a great introductory Kava for your friends. Although it is not True Kava Noble Certified, none of the initial effects would make me believe that it isn't a Noble Kava.

See the video review of this Kava:

Solomon Islands Kavas are known for producing a low buzz that kind of hums through the body, and a stony heady feeling that makes you feel relaxed and focused. This Kava pretty accurately captures all of those effects, and with pretty remarkable strength. I'd put this Kava on your shopping list to broaden your offerings and definitely to open the way if you've been itching for a trip to the Solomon Islands.

Because of its deep, vibrant effects I would recommend this as an evening Kava and possibly a weekend Kava.

*UPDATE: Solomon Islands kava is noble as verified by HPLC with a 246 chemotype and approximately 9% overall kavalactone content

• Strength (Mind) - 8.5/10
• Strength (Body) - 7.5/10
• Flavor - 9/10
• Overall Strength: High - Strong
• Best time to drink: Evening Kava or Weekend Kava

Overall: 8.3/10

Cactus Kava - Ono

Effects (Mind) - 9.5/10
Effects (Body) - 9/10
Taste - 9/10
Strength - Medium Strength, with strong euphoric and relaxing qualities

Overall - 9.16/10

Kalm With Kava - Puoni Ono Tongan

Wakacon - Fijian Kava

Nakamal at Home - Tongan and Solomon Kavas

Nakamal at Home has consistently carried a very diverse set of Kavas from around the South Pacific. They may be the only vendor who has sold Kavas from Vanuatu, Papa New Guinea, Solomon Islands, Tonga, Fiji, and even Hawaii (at one point). 

Tongan Kava is a very creamy, relaxing brew that takes the edge off and is perfect as an everyday Kava. It is one of my all-time favorites and I could drink this stuff all day, every day and be a perfectly happy Kavasseur.