Drinking Kava in Australia
Are people drinking kava in Australia and if so how and why? To answer this question, in this article we cover recent events in Australia which are changing the way kava is drunk and perceived.
Kava has reached Australia from the islands of the South Pacific.
Kava, a plant native to islands in the South Pacific, has been used as a ceremonial drink for hundreds of years. Moreover, it is said to have many health benefits, including stress relief and improved sleep.
However, kava has been illegal in Australia since the early 2000s, when it was banned due to concerns over its potential for abuse. Fortunately, this ban was lifted on January 12, 2022. The ban on kava importation and commercial sales and the consequential restrictions on drinking kava in Australia was lifted for one major reason. That is – because it was determined that the risks of kava consumption were no greater than those of alcohol and tobacco. However, there is also a strong argument to be made that Australia changed their position on kava to counteract China’s growing presence in the South Pacific.
Where are people buying kava from in Australia
In Australia, kava is sold in health food stores, but it’s also available online. Subsequently, online kava businesses that moved quickly to market and applied best practice kava protocols (taken from overseas kava business’s in the US) have become popular with kava drinkers. Indeed, those who have quickly established market dominance include:
With 15 + years in the kava business, Australia Kava Shop’s trade is off their experience, vast Vanuatu, Fiji and US network and kava certification.
Ni-Vanuatu business owners who are from the island of Santo and now living in Queensland. They source from the largest kava product manufacturer in the world.
Fiji Kava
Listed on the ASX 5 years ago, as the name suggests they sell only Fiji Kava. Also, they have recently acquired a US-based kava Ready to Drink product, so are expanding quickly.
There are kava bars in Brisbane with Sydney and Melbourne expected to follow soon.
Much like early kava adopters in the US, the kava bar scene is slowly growing in Australia. Already there are 2 established in Brisbane. Again, with more and more people drinking kava in Australia, the popularity of kava bars is likely to grow exponentially.
Kava Bar -Slacks Creek
In May 2022, the first kava bar in Queensland opened its doors to discerning kava drinkers. It’s located in Slacks Creek, just north of Brisbane and is called simply “Kava Bar.”
The owners Ned and his wife established the kava bar for kava drinkers in the area to be able to enjoy a few shells. In doing so, they have a comfortable chill-out area as well as a pool table and a large screen TV to catch the footy on. Additionally, board games and Chess are available for the kava drinkers who like to flex their brains after a few shells. The Kava Bar has a distinct Fiji vibe and is an excellent place to go to meet new people and enjoy the Fiji Kava vibe.
Blacston Wear – Kava Bar
Right in the centre of Brisbane’s counterculture hub West End, is Blacston Wear. Owned by Alfred Quai, it is a fashion label and retail outlet. However, they also sell kava powder and even better, they also prepare Vanuatu kava juice on demand.
Blacston Wear is located at 147 Boundary Street, West End QLD 4101 which makes it an ideal location for anyone who wants to experience what this ancient Polynesian drink has to offer them personally!
Reports from both Sydney and Melbourne are that there are at least 2 kava bars in each city expected to open in Dec-Jan 2022/3
Drinking Kava is still illegal in some parts of Australia.
In the Northern Territory, it is illegal to make, sell or supply kava. This law came into effect on 1 July 2012. It is also illegal to import kava into the Northern Territory.
The Northern Territory have not changed their state laws in line with the Australian federal government’s relaxing of their kava laws. The primary reason is the fear of abuse in indigenous communities.
Kava’s popularity in Australia
Kava is becoming more popular in Australia, but it still hasn’t caught on as much as it has in America and Europe. However, these markets have been open to kava for a much longer period of time. It is expected that with the large number of Pacific Islanders living in Australia, plus an increasing sober curious movement coupled with the wellness industry, kava and kava drinks will soon become much more renowned in Australia.