Skip to content
Vinony
Sections
Maps
Timeline
Graph
Cosmos
Life
Culture
Innovation
People
Climate
Trends
Art
Browse
Dictionary
Books
Search
Search Vinony…
⌘
K
Sign in
Category
Drugs in Tonga
page 1
Piper methysticum
Kava or kava kava (Piper methysticum: Latin 'pepper' and Latinized Greek 'intoxicating') is a plant in the pepper family, native to the Pacific Islands. The name kava is from Tongan and Marquesan, meaning 'bitter'. Kava can refer to either the plant or a psychoactive beverage made from its root. The beverage is a traditional ceremonial and recreational drink from Polynesia, Micronesia, and Melanesia. Nakamals and kava bars exist in many countries. Traditional kava is made by grinding fresh or dried kava root, mixing it with water or coconut milk, and straining it into a communal bowl. Outside