Materials guide

Working with kava

In the EU, kava is a natural textile dye and a botanical home fragrance. This is what the material does.

Linen dyed to a pale beige with kava root — Linen, lighter bath

Linen dyed to a deep brown with kava root — Linen, stronger bath

Colour and aroma by cultivar

Kava root carries its own pigment, and the colour it gives depends on the cultivar. Both forms of each cultivar, traditional grind and instant, give the same colour.

Cultivar	Dye colour	Aroma
Nakamal Nights	Light sand	Soft wood, mild spice, powdery
Palarasul	Sand	Floral, lemongrass, light spice
Kelai	Honey	Citrus zest, light spice, smooth wood
Puariki	Warm honey	Vanilla, soft spice, bright green
Melo Melo	Amber	Warm wood, hay, soft pepper
Bir Kar	Warm amber	Black pepper, dark resin, roasted
Pacific Elixir	Walnut	Nutty, liquorice root, warm spice
Borogoru	Dark caramel	Green peppercorn, damp earth, dark wood
Mighty Roots	Dark walnut	Sharp pepper, green moss, resinous

Listed lightest to darkest. Test a small sample first, because the final colour varies with the fibre and the strength of the bath.

On fibre

Kava takes best on cotton, linen, silk and wool. Instant disperses more evenly and leaves less residue. Traditional grind is more economical per gram and is used with a filter bag to hold back the hard woody fibres.

The same colour works as a stain on wood, and as a sepia wash on paper.

Naturally dyed garments on a rail — Cotton and linen

Botanical print on paper — Wash on paper

As a scent

The dried root has a warm, woody scent with a faint pepper edge. It suits sachets for drawers and wardrobes, and works as an earthy base note in potpourri. Each cultivar carries its own character, from soft and lightly woody through to warm and peppery.