ʻAva Laʻau kava
ʻAva Laʻau is a kava cultivar from Upolu, Samoa. Legal class: Noble.
Origin
Island: Upolu. Country: Samoa. Coordinates: -13.9167, -171.7333. Upolu on the kava map.
Legal standing
Noble, per Codex CXS 336R-2020 and the FAO/WHO kava discussion paper.
Chemotype
A chemotype ranks the six kavalactones from most to least abundant. It says nothing about how much kava is in the root, only about the order.
| Code | Kavalactones, most to least abundant | Source |
|---|---|---|
| 463251 | Kavain > Methysticin > Yangonin > Dihydrokavain > Dihydromethysticin > Desmethoxyyangonin | Lebot et al. 1999 HPLC, in Johnston & Rogers, Hawaiian 'Awa |
Character
Balanced. A lift to the mind and a loosening of the body, arriving together.
How it is described
No published account of how ʻAva Laʻau is said to feel.
Taste and mouthfeel
- “Samoan kava is noted for a creamy, cashew-like taste”, Kalm with Kava
Background
- “About half of all Samoan plantings, and central to the Samoan 'ava ceremony”, Samoa MAF 'Ava Growing Guide
- “Nearly identical in appearance to the Hawaiian Nēnē”, Lebot et al. 1999 HPLC, in Johnston & Rogers, Hawaiian 'Awa
Availability
Limited. Sold by a handful of vendors.
Known to stock it: Kalm with Kava.
Documentation
Corroborated. Sources cited on this page:
- Codex CXS 336R-2020 and the FAO/WHO kava discussion paper
- Lebot et al. 1999 HPLC, in Johnston & Rogers, Hawaiian 'Awa
- Kalm with Kava
- Samoa MAF 'Ava Growing Guide