Earthy beverage cousins of kava

We love kava. We love its tradition and culture, and earthy flavor. We love how it makes you feel, mentally calms and relaxed while focused and social. But it’s normal to want a little variety in your life. Rarely do we eat the same foods everyday, so why would we expect to exclusively drink the same drink? 

We’ve put together a list of three other earthy beverages that are similar to kava in taste, health benefits and mental effects. We hope that this will give you some other great additions to your drink cabinet.

Matcha

Matcha is a form of green tea. It usually comes in a dark green powder that is whisked into hot water to create a type of tea. Much like kava, it has a very strong, earthy flavor and is popular mixed with coconut milk for an added sweetness. It is often bought as lattes, teas, matcha shots and desserts in coffee shops and cafes.

Like green tea, matcha comes from the Camellia sinensis plant. However it has a different and unique nutrient profile and is grown differently than traditional green tea. Farmers keep matcha plants in the shade most of their growing period. This boost chlorophyll production, amino acid content and gives the plant its dark green color. 

There are many health benefits linked to matcha. This is due to the fact it's packed with antioxidants which help reduce cell damage responsible for chronic disease. The potential health benefits include:

• Protecting the liver

• Improving brain function

• Preventing cancer

• Promoting heart health

• Supports weight loss

It’s a great compliment to kava as they have health benefits that are different but add to one's overall well being.

Chicory Root coffee

This may seem outrageous to some of you, but for those looking for an alternative to coffee this may be a good option. 

Chicory is a flowering plant that’s part of the dandelion family. Most commonly grown in the south, it has a tough, fuzzy stem, light purple flowers and leaves that are commonly used in salads. The roots of the chicory plant are roasted then ground into a powder to make chicory root coffee. Much like coffee, it has a nutty, earthy flavor that is drunk either on its own or mixed with coffee as a compliment. It is thought it was first drunk during the 1800s during a coffee shortage in France where people would combine chicory coffee with real coffee to stretch out their coffee supply.

Research has found several nutrients in chicory root. It’s a good source of inulin, a prebiotic that may support weight loss and help with gut health. Manganese and Vitamin B6 are also found in chicory root which are tied to boosting brain health. 

Other possible health benefits are:

• Helping with constipation and improving bowel function.

• Lowering blood sugar

• Decreasing inflammation

• Naturally caffeine free

A word of caution: Some people have had an allergic reaction when drinking chicory root leading to pain, swelling and tingling in the mouth. People who have an allergy to ragweed or birch pollen should avoid chicory root.

In the end

As much as we love kava at Kavahana we also love a varied pallet. And these two other earthy, alcohol free beverages are a great compliment to your kava routine not only for their flavor but for their powerful health benefits to further boost your health and well-being2