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| Tanna Kava Strains and Tanna Kava Agriculture |
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Tanna Island has approximately 15 different strains of kava, each of which has their own varied effect and usefullness, whether it be for traditional purpose of relaxing after a hard days work in the garden or used for medicinal purposes.
Of the 15 different stains of kava, two in particular are prized amongst all others: "Kaollik" and "Marang Marang". Tanna Kava deals specifically with these two strains due to their strength and purity.
Kaollik
 Kaollik is the name given to this premium kava by the people from South East Tanna - more specifically the people from Isaka and the name comes from the Isaka/Vaha language. Kaollik is defined by its large branches which can grow up to 4 meters high and equally as large leaves. Kaollik also stands out due to its very heavy stump roots and thick lateral roots. Being an extremely potent kava, Kaollik is often used at ceremonial occasions and festivals, such as the Doka festival, where it is used in kava drinking competitions. Kaollik kava is know to reach a premium price when people buy kava in Tanna.
Marang-Marang
 Of similar strength to its Kaolik cousin, Marang Marang is the name used by the people of South East Tanna to describe this smaller kava plant. Marang-Marang branches grow up to 1-2 meters high. It has a considerably small stumpa root compared to Kaollik, however this means it is easier to harvest as it is not nearly as heavy. Marang-Marnag has a slightly milder taste and whilst still very strong, it causes a smoother/milder kava buzz than Kaollik.
Tanna Kava Agriculture
Using smaller plots of land then other Vanuatu farmers, Tanna farmers have their own tradtional method of growing kava. When a new garden is cleared, taro, yam and kumala are planted. During this period, cuttings of other kava plants are stuck in the ground away from the other root crops and allowed to develop a small root structure of their own.
 Once the kava plants have developed a small root strucutre the seedlings are then planted between the various other root crops. This is done so that the kava plants protect the other root crops from the strong heat from the sunlight and also disperses any heavy rain that might occur. Tanna climate conditions mean that this is only relevant for low growing root crops, i.e. this method is not applied to banana or manioc root crops as they grow higher than the kava plants and do not allow the more valuable kava plant to grow to its full potential.
For more information on Tannese agriculture we strongly recommend you contact the Vanuatu Kultural Senta or have a read of Vincent Lebot's excellent book "Kava: the Pacific Elixer" |
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 $344.30
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