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Kava Root

Kava root is traditionally processed into a beverage with a calming, earthy flavor.

Kava Root — illustrative ingredient image

About Kava Root

Kava root is the underground root material of the kava plant, used traditionally after processing into a beverage. It may be sold fresh, dried, powdered, or as a prepared beverage ingredient. Traditional preparation generally involves grinding or pounding the root or powdered material, mixing it with water, and straining or settling the solids before serving.

The raw or dried material is fibrous and earthy in aroma; preparations made from it are commonly described as earthy, peppery, or mildly bitter. Texture depends on whether the root is whole, powdered, or strained. Processing intensity, particle size, and preparation method vary among products.

Fresh, dried, and powdered root have a fibrous or granular appearance, while the prepared beverage is a liquid after mixing and may contain settled or retained solids. Grinding or pounding reduces the root to smaller particles; mixing and straining changes it into a beverage. Kava root is not the same identity as a ready-made extract or flavoured drink.

Ingredient type
whole food

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Where kava root appears

1 linked foods

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Drinks

Ingredient connections awaiting review · Coverage is still growing, including packaged snacks.

Name examples awaiting language review. Confirm the specific food or product.

Local names for kava root

Names and romanised forms to recognise on menus and labels.

English

kava root

English

kava root (raw)

Search alias · Not a confirmed translation

Available names only. Languages may be spoken in other countries; a name alone does not identify every ingredient in a dish.

Kava Root nutrition & diet

Kava Root nutritional value

Representative benchmark: Vegetables, not further specified

Representative nutrition benchmarkOfficial table values for a comparable food category, not a laboratory measurement of this exact ingredient.

Per 100 g of 100 g edible portion in the named official reference form.

Calories
37kcal
Protein
2.3g
Carbs
4.1g
Fat
0.4g

Representative benchmark from a comparable official food-composition category; it is not a laboratory measurement of this exact ingredient. The displayed reference form must be considered, and species, cultivar, recipe, brand, processing and preparation can change values.

Portions & preparation

Establish the kava species, plant part, cultivar, and processing method before selecting a reference; “kava root” can describe different preparations. Match fresh, dried, powdered, strained beverage, or commercial extract, and distinguish discarded solids from the consumed liquid. Recipe additions should be recorded separately.

Compare the right form: Reference must match the identified kava species and root or rhizome preparation, including fresh, dried, powdered, strained beverage, or extract form.

Diet considerations

Kava root is plant-origin, but compatibility depends on the identified product and preparation rather than the name alone. Traditional beverages may contain only processed root and water, while commercial mixes can add dairy, sweeteners, cereal ingredients, or other plant or animal components. Those additions alter dietary compatibility and carbohydrate patterns.

AI-authored reading notes · Awaiting editorial review. Measured values, where available, have a separate source above.

Dietary compatibility

  • Vegan
    Not established
  • Vegetarian
    Not established
  • Pescatarian
    Not established
  • Keto
    Not established
  • Paleo
    Not established
  • Low-carb
    Not established
  • Halal
    Not established
  • Kosher
    Not established
What these diet assessments mean
Vegan · Not established
The available profile does not establish the full composition or processing for this dietary pattern.
Vegetarian · Not established
The available profile does not establish the full composition or processing for this dietary pattern.
Pescatarian · Not established
The available profile does not establish the full composition or processing for this dietary pattern.
Keto · Not established
A defined serving and sourced carbohydrate data are needed before assessing this dietary pattern.
Paleo · Not established
The ingredient form and processing have not been assessed against this dietary pattern.
Low-carb · Not established
A defined serving and sourced carbohydrate data are needed before assessing this dietary pattern.
Halal · Not established
Sourcing, processing and any applicable certification have not been verified. A food name alone does not establish halal status.
Kosher · Not established
Sourcing, processing and any applicable certification have not been verified. A food name alone does not establish kosher status.

For the plain ingredient · Awaiting review. Diet compatibility is not allergy suitability or halal/kosher certification. Keto and low-carb depend on the portion.

Reviewed ingredient entryIngredient reference · Preparations vary

AI-generated illustration for visual context. It does not identify a particular product or establish allergen content.

Sources & review

Nutrition reference: Pacific Nutrient Database 2020 — 01.1.7.4.9_99 ↗. Values are scaled from 100 g of the recorded edible form. Individual portions have no assumed fixed weight.

Expanded overview, name examples and nutrition notes are database drafts awaiting editorial review. Numeric nutrition values, where shown, have their own source and food-form reference.

The ingredient description and dish connections come from the draft catalogue and may change after review.

Last recorded verification: .