The Ancient Method involved virgin girls or boys chewing a wad of the fresh root until the fibers were thoroughly broken down.

This mass was then either placed on a banana leaf or spat directly into a kava bowl.

When three or more wads were ready, they were placed in the bowl and water poured in until it was judged the desired strength had been reached. The pulp was then strained out through strands of the inner bark of the hau tree, certain sedges or even the cloth like sheath of the coconut palm.

Hot water can be poured over the bag to make a hot bedtime tea. A half coconut shell is the standard drinking cup.

Today the fresh root is pounded in a suitable container, or root that has been washed and dried is machine pounded into a fine powder.

This powder is then placed in a fine-mesh bag (nylon stockings or a fine paint strainer are best). Water is then poured in the bowl and the bag (keeping the end closed) is worked with the fingers under water. Squeeze and wring many times (maybe as much as five minutes) until the potency can be judged by the color of the water (sort of like coffee with cream---not milk). The bag is then thoroughly wrung out and set aside. It can then be used again for another bowl of less potent drink,

The effects of kava drinking seem to be enjoyed most when two or more friends are drinking. Participants relax and muted conversation tends to flow. Between cups, snacks are nibbled and all enjoy a sense of well-being and comaraderie.

For a circle of four or five people, a heaping 1/4 cup of powder and a quart and a half of water is a good start for the first rendering. Potency can be made to suit your wishes by adding or eliminating some water or powder. It's up to you. Usually this bag can be used again to make at least one more bowl full without adding more powder. One pound of our premium root powder should make approximately 16 quarts of drink.