Kava in the Kitchen

Cooking with Kava

Kava is the newest craze among young professionals, nature enthusiasts, and others who enjoy trying new things. The South Pacific’s ancient root is known to have numerous beneficial effects for mental and emotional well-being. It’s no surprise that the kava community continues to grow, as many who have tried kava swear by it and continue to recommend it to their loved ones and different circles. That is why Kava Food recipes have been becoming more common! 

Kava bars, unlike alcohol bars, are calm and tranquil gathering places where people meet to enjoy a good chat while sipping “tasty” kava cocktails. However, not everyone enjoys its earthy flavor. The good news is that kava is versatile enough to consume in many other different ways.

Like matcha, the earthy flavor of kava complements a wide range of dishes and beverages. Furthermore, foods with well-known relaxing characteristics, such as dark chocolate, frequently synergize incredibly well with kava, both in terms of flavor and effects.

It used to be believed that kava root could not be cooked over 140 degrees Fahrenheit, as it loses active kavalactones and results in a bitter taste. However, culinary trials with kava in baking and cooking have debunked this myth, and the kava community now believes that kava can withstand heat as much as 350 degrees Fahrenheit in the oven and still keep a lot of its efficacy.

This has prompted numerous chefs around the world to develop delectable recipes for kava brownies, kava sauces, kava candies, and other kava-based treats. 

We’ve come up with a shortlist of favorite recipes to share with you! Kava food is meant to be enjoyed and shared together – try these out at your next potluck or gathering:

Kava Food: Brownies

Earn some extra brownie points (ha, ha) for making one of everyone’s most loved desserts this season.

Some people report that eating kava brownies (or cookies) keeps the majority of the kava’s effects intact, and they can still feel the numbness in their mouths. This could indicate that kavalactones are effective. Others stated that after a long day at work, kava brownies helped them unwind. Others, on the other hand, haven’t noticed any of kava’s effects after baking it. 

Ingredients:

• ½ cup melted butter
• 3tbsp cocoa powder
• 2tbsp medium grind kava
• 1 cup of sugar
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 2 eggs
• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• 1tsp baking soda
• ½ cup chocolate chips (optional)

1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.
2. Microwave the butter for a few seconds to melt it. Once it’s melted, combine the cocoa, sugar, vanilla, and eggs in a large mixing bowl.
3. Continue mixing after adding the kava, flour, and baking soda. After it’s all mixed together, you can add some chocolate chips if you want.
4. Fill a baking pan halfway with batter (we recommend that you line your pan with parchment paper to prevent it from getting sticky).
5. 25-30 minutes in the oven (or until the top is crispy and a toothpick comes out of the center dry).
6. Allow to cool before serving.

Spiced Kava Chai

There’s nothing like a warm cup of chai on a chilly Sunday morning. While some kava companies already have chai-flavored instant kava on the market, nothing beats the flavor of a freshly-made spiced kava chai. This recipe, inspired by South Asia’s traditional spiced black tea, combines powdered kava root with ancient spices like cardamom, nutmeg, and cinnamon, all of which have analgesic, calming, and hypnotic properties. 

1. In a small pot, combine 1 tablespoon powdered kava with 1 cup water. (Although we can’t recommend using more kava than this, some individuals double the amount of kava in this recipe to compensate for any loss of potency caused by cooking.) 
2. To taste, add cloves, nutmeg, cardamom, allspice, crushed ginger, and cinnamon to the kava and water mixture. 
3. Simmer for 5 minutes, then remove the kava chai from the heat and sift the liquid to remove the kava pulp and spice solids. 
4. Serve with a splash of hot milk, nut milk, or honey, if desired.

Chocokava Chip Cookies

One of the best things about chocolate chip cookies is that they are perfect for any occasion. They are delicious and festive, making them the perfect snack to serve over the holidays. Whether you’re having a small get-together or a large celebration, chocolate chip cookies are always a hit. Up your cookie game with this special kava version of a classic recipe!

Ingredients:

• 2 tbsp medium grind kava
• ⅔ cup whole-wheat flour
• ½ cup white flour
• ½ teaspoon baking soda
• ¼ teaspoon salt
• 1 stick butter (8 tablespoons)
• 1 egg
• ¼ cup brown sugar
• ¼ cup white sugar
• 1 teaspoon vanilla
• ¾ cup chocolate chips

1. Mix whole-wheat flour, white flour, and baking soda in a small bowl.
2. Melt the butter in a pan and mix in the kava, strain. Place the kava mixture in a separate larger bowl and mix in all other ingredients (sugar, vanilla, egg, salt) – excluding the chocolate chips.
3. Gradually add in the flour mixture and chocolate chips in portions, continuously folding the mixture until you have a workable dough. Place dough in the freezer for a quick 10-15 minutes to allow it to firm up.
4. Meanwhile, preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.
5. Once taken out of the freezer, simply form the dough into balls, put them on an ungreased cookie sheet and bake for 8-10 mins.
6. Serve and enjoy.

One of the best things about kava as a natural herbal product is the freedom it allows people to explore different recipes for kava food. If you have an idea for a recipe that includes kava, please share it with us by emailing info@elixirloungekavabar.com – we love hearing from our community! Call us today at (801) 706-1929 to inquire about our products and services.