What people mean by "kava tea"
Kava is the root of Piper methysticum, a plant from the South Pacific. When people search for kava tea they usually mean one of three things:
- Kava tea bags. A herbal tea with kava root extract in the blend, steeped in hot water like any tea bag. Yogi Kava Stress Relief is the common one in US stores.
- Traditional kava. Ground kava root kneaded through a cloth in water and drunk straight. It's called tea sometimes, but it isn't steeped; it's prepared in cool or room-temperature water.
- Instant kava. Dried kava juice or micronized root you stir into cold water, no strainer needed.
They're very different drinks. A kava tea bag is a mild, flavored herbal tea. Traditional and instant kava taste strongly of the root and are what kava bars serve.
The options, compared
| Drink | Format | Kava on the label | Prep | Taste | Price per serving | Buy |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Yogi Kava Stress Relief tea | Tea bag, steeped hot | 78 mg kava root extract per bag; kavalactones not listed | Steep 7 minutes in boiling water | Cinnamon, vanilla, carob; mild | About $0.31 a bag ($4.93 for 16 at Vitacost, Nov 1, 2026) | Check price on Amazon |
| Instant kava (e.g. FijiKava Instant) | Powder stirred into cold water | Varies by brand; some list a kavalactone % | Stir or blend, no strainer | Earthy, peppery kava | About $0.95 to $2.64 (see our instant kava guide) | Brand site Also on Amazon (price varies) |
| Traditional kava root | Ground root kneaded in water | Varies; look for noble kava and a lab report | About 10 minutes with a strainer bag | Earthy, peppery, numbing | Varies by brand and bag size | |
| Botanical Brewing Kava Orange Dream | 12 oz can, sparkling | 600 mg kava root isolate; lab report: 59.7 mg total kavalactones (Feb 2025 batch) | None | Sparkling orange, kava in the background | $8.25 to $9.00 a can (checked Oct 21, 2026) | Shop |
Label facts come from each product's page or packaging (Yogi from Vitacost's product listing, checked November 1, 2026; Orange Dream from Botanical Brewing's site and linked lab report, checked October 21, 2026). Prices change often and exclude shipping.
Yogi Kava Stress Relief: what's in the bag
Each tea bag lists 78 mg of kava root extract, plus a blend of carob pod, Indian sarsaparilla root, cinnamon bark, ginger root, cardamom pod, stevia leaf and monk fruit extract, with organic vanilla flavor, toasted brown rice and cinnamon bark oil. It's caffeine-free. A box has 16 bags.
How to brew it: bring water to a boil and steep one bag for 7 minutes. Yogi says to use two bags for a stronger tea.
What the box says to watch for: not for use if you're pregnant, nursing or under 18; ask a healthcare provider first if you take medication, have or have had liver problems, or drink alcohol often; don't use it with alcohol. Yogi's label also says to stop and see a doctor if you notice signs of liver trouble, like unexplained fatigue, dark urine or yellowing skin or eyes.
You'll find it at most large grocery chains (Kroger stores, Walmart, H-E-B and others), at online shops like Vitacost, and on Amazon.
Is kava tea as strong as a kava drink?
The labels suggest it's much milder. Yogi lists 78 mg of kava root extract per bag and doesn't give a kavalactone number (kavalactones are the compounds kava is known for). For comparison, from labels we've checked:
- Mitra9's kava drink mix lists 150 mg of kavalactones per serving.
- Botanical Brewing's Orange Dream links a lab report showing 59.7 mg of total kavalactones per can (February 2025 batch).
- Epik Instant Kava lists about 10.1% kavalactones at a 5 g serving, which works out to roughly 500 mg by our math.
So if you've tried a kava tea bag and wondered what the fuss is about, that's why. Kava tea bags are a cozy evening tea. Kava bars, instant kava and kava cans are a different experience.
How to make traditional kava "tea"
1. Buy noble kava root, ground for straining. Look for the cultivar, the origin and a lab report on the page. 2. Put the powder in a strainer bag and set it in a bowl of cool or room-temperature water. Follow the brand's ratio. 3. Knead and squeeze the bag in the water for about 10 minutes, until the water turns muddy brown. 4. Drink it straight, usually with a fruit chaser. It's earthy and peppery, and a tingly, numb tongue is normal. 5. Start with one serving and wait before having more. Never mix kava with alcohol.
Don't want the strainer? Instant kava dissolves in cold water, and our cost-per-serving comparison shows what each format costs.
Rather not brew anything?
A hot tea bag and a bowl of strained root are both rituals. If you want something cold you just open, Botanical Brewing's Kava Orange Dream is the can we hand first-timers: sparkling orange up front, kava in the background, 50 calories and zero alcohol. More cans are in the best kava drinks of 2026.
Who should skip kava
- Kava drinks are for adults 21+. Skip them if you're under 21.
- Skip kava if you're pregnant or breastfeeding.
- Skip kava if you have a liver condition or drink heavily. Kava has been linked to rare cases of serious liver injury.
- Skip it if you take antidepressants (including SSRIs), sedatives, sleep aids or medications that affect the liver, unless your doctor says it's OK.
- Rules on kava vary by place. Check your local rules before you buy.
- One can or shell is one serving. Don't mix kava with alcohol, and don't drive after drinking it.
These are general cautions, not medical advice. If you're unsure, talk to your doctor or pharmacist.
Questions people ask
What is kava tea?
Usually one of three things: a herbal tea bag with kava root extract (like Yogi Kava Stress Relief), traditional kava made by kneading ground root in water, or instant kava stirred into cold water.
Does Yogi Kava tea have real kava in it?
Yes. Each bag lists 78 mg of kava root extract, along with carob, sarsaparilla, cinnamon, ginger, cardamom, stevia and monk fruit. It doesn't list a kavalactone amount.
How do you make Yogi Kava tea?
Bring water to a boil and steep one bag for 7 minutes. Yogi says to use two bags for a stronger tea.
Is kava tea the same as a kava drink from a kava bar?
No. Kava bars serve traditional kava made from ground root, which is much stronger-tasting. A kava tea bag is a mild, flavored herbal tea.
Does kava tea have caffeine?
Yogi Kava Stress Relief is caffeine-free, and kava itself has no caffeine.
Can you drink kava tea with alcohol?
No. Yogi's label says not to use it with alcohol, and the same goes for any kava.
Where can I buy kava tea?
Yogi Kava Stress Relief is sold at most large grocery chains, at Walmart and Vitacost, and on Amazon.
