Preparation & Storage

In accordance with EU regulations, our kavas are sold exclusively for aromatherapy and natural textile dyeing. Below are practical methods for both applications.

Preparing the liquid

Two simple methods, depending on which form you are working with. Both produce roughly 500 ml of liquid at the default concentration we recommend as a starting point.

Traditional grind

  • Place 35โ€“40 g of traditional-grind powder into a strainer bag.
  • Put the bag in a bowl with 500โ€“600 ml of warm water.
  • Knead and squeeze the bag for 5โ€“10 minutes, until the water turns rich and cloudy.
  • Wring the bag out thoroughly; discard the spent root.
  • You now have around 500 ml of liquid.

Instant kava

  • Measure roughly 8 g of instant powder per 200 ml of warm water.
  • Stir for about 30 seconds โ€” no straining needed.
  • Scale up as needed: 20 g to 500 ml gives you the same default concentration.

Aromatherapy

Kava has an earthy, peppery scent with warm, slightly nutty undertones โ€” cultivar-dependent, but always distinctly grounding.

  • Passive diffusion. Warm a small amount of liquid in a diffuser bowl over a tealight. The scent releases gently into the room as the liquid warms.
  • Carrier infusion. Combine the liquid with a neutral carrier (jojoba, grapeseed, unscented lotion) at roughly 1 part liquid to 4 parts carrier. Let it sit for 24โ€“48 hours, then filter through a fine cloth.
  • Blending. Kava pairs well with vanilla, sandalwood, vetiver, tonka, and cocoa. Start with small test batches before committing to larger volumes.

Natural textile dyeing

Kava yields warm tan-to-brown earth tones. The exact shade depends on the cultivar, the fibre, and the mordant โ€” expect soft honey tones with alum, and deeper, darker browns with iron.

  • Pre-mordant. Prepare natural fibres (wool, silk, linen, cotton) with alum before dyeing. This helps the colour bind and last.
  • Heat the bath. Warm the liquid gently โ€” do not boil. Simmering is fine; hard boiling will dull the colour.
  • Dye. Submerge the mordanted fabric fully. Stir occasionally. 30โ€“60 minutes gives a mid-depth shade; leave overnight for stronger tones.
  • Finish. Rinse in cool water until it runs clear. Air dry out of direct sunlight.
  • Shift the tone. A quick post-dye dip in an iron-water solution will deepen and cool the colour towards charcoal-brown.

Storage

  • Sealed powder. Our kavas retain their colour and aromatic character for 12โ€“18 months when kept in the original sealed packaging.
  • Opened packets. Transfer to an airtight container. Keep in a cool, dry place out of direct sunlight. Instant is more hygroscopic than traditional grind โ€” seal it tightly every time.
  • Leftover liquid. Store sealed and refrigerated for up to 48 hours. The colour begins to oxidise after this point and the aromatic character softens.