Kava-kava Bars the latest trend in the US

[enquirewithin]

http://www.abc.net.au/ra/news/storie...htm?tab=latest



United States consumers are embracing the affect, if not the taste, of kava.

Kava grows naturally in many Pacific nations, and its roots, when crushed and mixed with liquid, produce a foul tasting, but calming narcotic..

While kava is banned in Australia, kava bars are starting to pop up in the US.

On many Pacific Island nations kava's narcotic affect has meant its often the precursor to discussion and negotiations, in villages and parliaments.

Now kava is becoming the drink of choice for many United States consumers, looking for something that is new, and different.

The owner of the ...[a kava bar in] ...Southern Florida, Jeff Bowman says it's become the perfect accompaniament to a night out listening to a jazz band.

He says the later it gets, the less noise there is. People he says just become very relaxed.

Mr Bowman says while his patrons have embraced kava's numbing affect, its foul taste, often compared to muddy overused dishwashing water, meant many took a lot of convincing to give it a go.

He says if people are going to drink something that tastes that bad, then they better get something out of it.

The Nakava Bar imports it's kava root from Vanuatu, which has had sales to Australia restricted by new drug legislation.