Varieties from Vanuatu
Over 80 Kava varieties from the home of the plant: From Bir Kar to Kelai, from Heavy to Heady.
Contents
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Vanuatu is believed to be the original home of Kava and hosts the largest variety in the world with over 80 documented varieties. Many of these varieties are unique to specific islands of the archipelago and have been cultivated by local communities for centuries.
The diversity of Vanuatu is explained by the isolated location of the individual islands and the long tradition of vegetative propagation. Since Kava does not produce seeds, each island developed its own cultivars, adapted to local soils, climate, and cultural preferences. Today, Vanuatu exports the majority of Kava consumed worldwide and has established strict quality standards that prohibit the export of Tudei varieties.
Local vocabulary: In Vanuatu, names for Kava include Kava, Malok and Malogu. Nakamal is not a plant name; it denotes a communal meeting place and today often a Kava bar.
Borogu
Balanced-HeavyPentecost, Vanuatu
Literature reference: 423561 · Published analyses: 423516 / 423651
4-6 hours
1 = Desmethoxyyangonin (DMY) · 2 = Dihydrokavain (DHK) · 3 = Yangonin (Y) · 4 = Kavain (K) · 5 = Dihydromethysticin (DHM) · 6 = Methysticin (M)
The sequence shows descending ranks, not percentages.
Borogu: Calm, social and distinctly body-relaxing; preparation, amount and individual response can shift the experience further toward the heavy side.
Chemotypes: Literature reference: 423561 · Published analyses: 423516 / 423651. The six digits express only the descending kavalactone rank order, not percentages.
- ✓ Balanced-Heavy: Social calm with distinct physical relaxation
- ✓ Flexible: Strong preparations can feel noticeably heavier
- ✓ Evening profile: Suited to calm social settings and winding down
Recommended For: Beginners, evening consumption, muscle relaxation, sleep promotion
Melo Melo
BalancedPopularCultivar: Ambae, Vanuatu · Product: Espiritu Santo, Vanuatu
Literature reference: 245361 · Modern analyzed/reported variants: 423156 / 243156
3-5 hours
1 = Desmethoxyyangonin (DMY) · 2 = Dihydrokavain (DHK) · 3 = Yangonin (Y) · 4 = Kavain (K) · 5 = Dihydromethysticin (DHM) · 6 = Methysticin (M)
The sequence shows descending ranks, not percentages.
Melo Melo: Balanced, smooth and centering, combining mental relaxation with gentle physical calm.
Chemotypes: Literature reference: 245361 · Modern analyzed/reported variants: 423156 / 243156. The six digits express only the descending kavalactone rank order, not percentages.
- ✓ Balanced: A harmonious balance of mental and physical calm
- ✓ Smooth: Centering and socially open without leaning too far either way
- ✓ Versatile: For relaxed conversation, daily life and evenings
Recommended For: Beginners, anxiety relief, social occasions, all-rounder
Tip: Melo Melo is one of the best varieties for Kava beginners. The gentle, balanced effect gives a good impression of what Kava has to offer without overwhelming.
Kelai
HeadyLegendaryEpi, Vanuatu
Literature reference: 423516 · Published analyses: 423156
2-3 hours
1 = Desmethoxyyangonin (DMY) · 2 = Dihydrokavain (DHK) · 3 = Yangonin (Y) · 4 = Kavain (K) · 5 = Dihydromethysticin (DHM) · 6 = Methysticin (M)
The sequence shows descending ranks, not percentages.
Kelai: Mentally light, clear, focused, communicative and socially open: a classic heady profile.
Chemotypes: Literature reference: 423516 · Published analyses: 423156. The six digits express only the descending kavalactone rank order, not percentages.
- ✓ Heady: Mentally light, clear and focusing
- ✓ Social: Communicative and open
- ✓ Day profile: Suited to creativity and social situations
Recommended For: Experienced users, social occasions, creative work, daytime consumption
Note: Kelai is often more expensive and harder to find than other varieties. The island of Epi produces only limited quantities, which can lead to shortages.
Palasa
HeavyEspiritu Santo, Vanuatu
Literature reference: 246531 · Other reported variants: 423165 / 421635
5-7 hours
1 = Desmethoxyyangonin (DMY) · 2 = Dihydrokavain (DHK) · 3 = Yangonin (Y) · 4 = Kavain (K) · 5 = Dihydromethysticin (DHM) · 6 = Methysticin (M)
The sequence shows descending ranks, not percentages.
Palasa: Deeply body-centered, calming, muscle-relaxing and sleep-promoting, with a strong evening profile.
Chemotypes: Literature reference: 246531 · Other reported variants: 423165 / 421635. The six digits express only the descending kavalactone rank order, not percentages.
- ✓ Heavy: Deep physical calm and strong muscle relaxation
- ✓ Sleep-promoting: A pronounced evening and rest profile
- ✓ Body-centered: For deliberately winding down
Recommended For: Evening consumption, sleep problems, muscle relaxation
Palarasul
HeavyEspiritu Santo, Vanuatu
Literature reference: 246531 · Other reported variants: 423156 / 423165
5-7 hours
1 = Desmethoxyyangonin (DMY) · 2 = Dihydrokavain (DHK) · 3 = Yangonin (Y) · 4 = Kavain (K) · 5 = Dihydromethysticin (DHM) · 6 = Methysticin (M)
The sequence shows descending ranks, not percentages.
Palarasul: A pronounced body-melt profile: deeply physical, strongly muscle-relaxing and long-lasting.
Chemotypes: Literature reference: 246531 · Other reported variants: 423156 / 423165. The six digits express only the descending kavalactone rank order, not percentages.
- ✓ Heavy: Pronounced body melt and strong muscular relaxation
- ✓ Deep: Body-forward and long-lasting
- ✓ Evening profile: For deep rest and relaxation
Bir Kar
HeadyEspiritu Santo, Vanuatu
Literature reference: 246513 · Additional shop/trade reports: 423156 / 423561
4-5 hours
1 = Desmethoxyyangonin (DMY) · 2 = Dihydrokavain (DHK) · 3 = Yangonin (Y) · 4 = Kavain (K) · 5 = Dihydromethysticin (DHM) · 6 = Methysticin (M)
The sequence shows descending ranks, not percentages.
Bir Kar: Clear, social, communicative and distinctly head-forward, fitting daytime use, creativity, music and social situations.
Chemotypes: Literature reference: 246513 · Additional shop/trade reports: 423156 / 423561. The six digits express only the descending kavalactone rank order, not percentages.
- ✓ Heady: Clear, communicative and distinctly head-forward
- ✓ Creative: Suited to music, ideas and social situations
- ✓ Present: Relaxation with mental lightness
Other Varieties from Vanuatu
In addition to the main varieties described above, there are dozens of other Noble cultivars in Vanuatu. Here is a selection:
| Variety | Origin | Type | Characteristic |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ambae | Ambae | Heavy | Very sedating, for sleep |
| Pia | Pentecost | Balanced | Gentle, good for beginners |
| Silese | Pentecost | Heady | Euphoric, rare |
| Melmel | Diverse | Balanced | Similar to Melo Melo |
| Poivota | Tanna | Heavy | Traditional, ceremonial |
| Ahouia | Diverse | Balanced | Mild, pleasant |
Continue in the chapter Varieties:
Varieties from Fiji, Tonga & Hawaii
Regional specialties: Loa Waka, Pouni Ono, 'Awa Moi and their unique properties
Based on studies by
CIRAD, French Agricultural Research Centre for International Development
View profile →With contributions from
This wiki is a curated resource that synthesizes research from peer-reviewed studies and expert researchers. It is not written by the researchers listed above, but rather based on their published work.
Scientific Sources
The information on this page is based on the following scientific studies and publications:
Kava: The Pacific Elixir - The Definitive Guide to Its Ethnobotany, History, and Chemistry
Vincent Lebot, Mark Merlin, Lamont Lindstrom (1997) – Yale University Press
View studyContents
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