Over the last few decades, an intoxicating tea called Kava has slowly won the hearts and minds of users all around the world. If you've never heard of it before, you're in for a treat.

Kava is a relaxing tea made from the roots of the Kava plant (Piper Methysticum), a shrub related to the pepper plant, grown in in the South Pacific Islands. It's been used traditionally for thousands of years and has experienced a resurgence only recently in Western culture.

What does it feel like? 

I like describe the effects of kava as the opposite of coffee. In other words, if coffee was a sedative, rather than a stimulant, but of the same strength, kava is the result.

In lower doses it's an excellent social lubricant, reducing stress and anxiety without impairment. In higher doses, it can become quite an intense experience. But it won't make you feel loopy or "hazy" like alcohol will, and there's no hangover in the morning.

The effects come on within minutes and typically last for several hours, though repeated dosing is common.

If you want to learn more about the history of Kava, it's various uses, and previous controversies (such as reports of liver damage which turned out to be incorrect), I encourage you to check out my previous post about kava: A 3000 Year Old Alternative to Alcohol.

Drawbacks of Kava:

I’ve used kava safely for years and it's  always been an enjoyable and relaxing part of my life. But it’s not without its drawbacks.

For starters, it can interact negatively with various common medications, though, so can alcohol. (If you take medications, speak with your doctor before trying kava.)

The biggest issue, however, has always been how time consuming and difficult it is to make it properly.

Traditional preparation involves kneading a mesh strainer bag filled with ground kava root in a bowl of hot water for 10+ minutes. It's not impossible to do, it's just a hassle. Combine that with the earthy, peppery taste, and most potential users are unlikely give it a try.

There are instant kava preparations, where like instant coffee, you just have to add water. But with most of these products, it's a vastly different, less enjoyable effect.

To enjoy kava to it's fullest, it needs to be made properly, with ground root and water.

So what is an aspiring kava drinker to do?

The fastest/easiest/best way to make strong kava:

Luckily, last year, Matt Masifilo, a Polynesian NFL player for the Carolina Panthers, had a brilliant idea that has revolutionized the kava scene.

Matt enjoyed drinking Kava with his teammates, but was frustrated at how difficult it was to make it. So he set out to invent a way to make it easier.

His result was the Kavafied Aluball Kava Maker and it's a game changer. In fact, it solves the problem entirely.

With the Aluball, all you have to do to make a traditional kava tea is add one tablespoon of ground root powder to the green ball, put it in the shaker cup with room temperature water, and shake for 30-60 seconds.

Watch how easy it is:

It’s the best thing to happen to the kava world in decades and has made the entire experience of drinking kava more accessible than ever before.

So what are you waiting for? Go give it a try!

Additional Links and Resources:

• Kavafied Aluball Kava Maker
• Kavafied.com

A few great Kava brands to try (available on Amazon Prime):

• Kavafied Kava Supreme Vanuatu Kava Powder – 8oz
• Kalm with Kava Borongoru Vanuatu Kava – 8oz

My All-Time Top Favorite Kava Vendor:

• Gourmet Hawaiian Kava