The word kava has three meanings. And all of them are related to drinks. In Poland and Ukraine, kava is just coffee. In Spain, this word refers to the Catalan national drink, similar to French champagne or Italian spumante. But in Polynesia, especially in Fiji, they also drink a drink called kava-kava. What it is? What and how is this drink made from? Does it contain alcohol? And if not, then why is it called heady? We will reveal all this in our article. We will also explain how and where you can get cava roots in Russia. This plant is part of some dietary supplements. Is it so miraculous as described? Does long-term use of cava cause side effects? I must say that the European Union lifted the ban on the import of this exotic plant, since the allegations of its toxicity to the liver have not been confirmed.
Cava Root: Description
The scientific name of the species is Píper methýsticum. You will be surprised, but this plant is a close relative of pepper. This is evidenced by its Latin name. The plant is similar to pepper leaves and fruits. But it’s customary to eat only roots. The cava was first described by the German scientist Georg Forster, who arrived in Fiji as part of the second expedition of the researcher of Polynesia, James Cook. But this plant is also found in Latin America. True, there the Indians brew tea from it, which has a tonic and at the same time soothing effect. In Fiji and other islands of Oceania, kava is the root, as well as the traditional drink from it.
It is impossible to call it alcoholic in the literal sense of the word. After all, it has zero degrees. However, the drink produces a slightly intoxicating effect on the human body. Therefore, the second name of the plant is “hoppy pepper”.
How to make a drink in the old days
The process of making cava was described by Forster. The root of the plant was cleaned from the ground. They cut off the peel (if this is not done, stomach problems may occur). Young virgins chewed the root of the cava and spit out into wooden bowls lined with rags, which were called "tanoa." Then the pulp thus ground in a rag was put in water to insist. Everything, the drink is ready. Guessing why only girls were allowed to the cooking procedure did not take long. Healthy clean teeth and gums are a guarantee of a good drink. However, even the Polynesians will not call it delicious. It looks like a dirty gray muddy liquid. And the drink tastes like water from a puddle. But, like vodka, cava is appreciated for its effect, and not for gastronomic qualities. Only men and boys who passed the initiation were allowed to the drinking ceremony (necessarily collective). A cup of coconut shell - "beat" - scooped up a drink and served one of the participants in the feast. He had to drink all the contents in one gulp. After which all those present clapped their hands once. The beat was transmitted in a circle, and the diners had unhurried conversations "for life."
How to make a drink now
The traditional method of preparing cava roots in Fiji is no longer relevant. Only on remote islands and atolls cut off from civilization, is a drink made in such an unhygienic way. Now the process is more mechanized. The roots can still be cleaned by hand, but their crushing occurs in special devices resembling electric meat grinders. In Fiji, everywhere you can buy cava, crushed to a powder. The rest of the preparation of the drink has not changed. The powder is diluted in water, stirred, allowed to infuse a little, and then consumed. You can buy a fresh root. But then the cooking process falls on your shoulders. There is some difference in price for cava root. Plant varieties vary depending on what soil it was harvested on. The best terroir for cava is the slopes of volcanoes. Minerals and ashes in such soils give the root greater “upturn”. Tourists in Polynesia are taken on ethno-excursions, where they can join the drink of the Kava Kava drink. And in large cities (such as Port Vila) there are real bars where you will be offered several varieties of this drink.
Cava Root: Characteristics of Human Exposure
Hops pepper produces a relaxing effect on the body. In small doses, drinking a drink from the root of this plant causes pleasant relaxation and a slight euphoria, like from a glass of wine. The effect begins to manifest itself twenty minutes after administration and lasts up to two and a half hours. But, unlike alcohol, the consciousness of a drunk person does not cloud, but remains clear. With an increase in dose, slight numbness of the tongue and skin around the lips is observed. The psychoactive substances in the root of the intoxicated pepper are called cavalactones. By their effects on the body, they resemble benzodiazepines. This class of substances is used as part of sedative, hypnotic drugs (they are prescribed to relieve panic attacks, reduce anxiety and treat mental disorders). But kava kava is incompatible with alcohol. With prolonged abuse of the drink, yellowing and peeling of the skin, a red rash and eye irritation are possible.
Difference from alcohol
Honestly, the effect of cava is similar to that of tranquilizers. Consciousness not only remains clear, but creative abilities intensify, inspiration comes, and mental processes intensify. Therefore, the shamans of the islands of Oceania used the drink for ritual purposes, to communicate with spirits. The greatest number of cava varieties is observed in Vanuatu. They differ among themselves in the concentration of psychoactive substances and, as a consequence, the effect produced. Kava (root turned into a drink) makes a person talkative and friendly. It does not cause aggression, as in people under the influence of alcohol. In case of an overdose, a person falls into a deep sleep without dreams. But in the morning there are no signs of a hangover. There is no nausea or headache. Unlike alcohol, the drink does not cause impaired coordination of movements.
Erection
As you can see, kava is harmless. In addition, it is not addictive and addictive. Not only that: those people who are addicted to alcohol, were able to recover from addiction by consuming cava. Nevertheless, doctors in Europe and the USA began to sound the alarm about the insufficiently studied prolonged effect of the plant on the body. In particular, it has been claimed that kava is toxic to the liver. In 2001, a ban was introduced on the import of cava into EU countries. Equal to its western neighbors, Russia did the same. But for some reason, this plant was on the list of psychotropic substances. And for the import, as well as the spread of cava (root), criminal punishment is provided for under article 228.3 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation (drug smuggling).
In the fight for justice
Physicians, primarily pharmacists, took up the rehabilitation of the plant. In Germany, they initiated the creation of a commission for a deeper study of the continued effects of cava on humans. It included both pharmacists and physicians, as well as independent experts and employees of state regulatory authorities. As a result of studies, it turned out that all cases of impaired liver function were caused by improper use of the plant (not roots were used, but stems and leaves that really contain toxins). The population of Polynesia, which has included cava in its national food culture for two thousand years, does not suffer from such diseases and disorders.
Is it possible to buy dietary supplements or medicines from hop pepper in Russia
The first small victory in plant rehabilitation was achieved in 2007 by German pharmacists. The law of the country allowed the use of cava root in homeopathy. A few years later, the ban on free sale was completely lifted in the United States, Australia, New Zealand and many countries of the European Union. In the United States, especially California, the "nakamaly" bars where you can enjoy a drink are absolutely legal. And cava powder, as well as medicines and dietary supplements with its content are sold in any pharmacy. Not so simple in Russia. In our country, hoppy pepper is equated to “potent narcotic and psychotropic substances”. Therefore, it is banned for import. However, often in Russia harsh laws are mitigated by their careless execution. Therefore, in Moscow and other cities it is quite possible to buy extracts, capsules, powders and dietary supplements with cava root in online pharmacies.