I'm sure by now you've heard about Vanuatu's famous local drink kava, very popular with the people of Vanuatu, traditionally used in ceremonies and reserved for drinking in the Nakamals (local meeting places) and for men only. Nowadays it is much more popular and both men and women can enjoy the effects from a shell or two of kava in 'Kava Bars' but it is still taboo for women to drink kava in the nakamals in the villages in Tanna.
Kava is an intoxicating liquid made from pounding or grinding pepper root mixed with water. This pungent and muddy drink is sometimes referred to as “aelan bia” (island beer), and is an evening ritual throughout Vanuatu. The roots of the plant are used to produce a drink with sedative, anesthetic, and euphoria, properties.
If you would like to try some kava there are numerous public kava bars found in Lenakel's town centre or just ask your local host to source some for you and bring some back to your accommodation to drink in private if you would prefer. It's very strong tasting and looks like muddy water so don't expect a nice tasting experience. But it is an aquired taste, so after a shell or two your taste buds may start to get used to it and you can start to enjoy the effects rather than focusing on the rather average flavour.
Please note that kava can be strong so start with one shell and see how you feel before getting carried away with a second or a third and it's not recommended to mix it with alcohol.
If kava’s not to your liking try the rich Tanna coffee and the real locally brewed Tusker and Vanuatu Beer instead.
