The plant-based supplement kava is sweeping across Arizona. Check out these interesting benefits and the kava bars where you can test it for yourself.
You know the saying—plants are medicine. This adage has been touted for years and years, and it’s true that some plants hold a wealth of properties that benefit humans. Now, we may not be able to call plants a cure-all, but every now and then, one goes viral for its supposed healing properties, leading us to the latest trend in health supplements: kava.
It’s only natural that so many people in the U.S. turn to supplements to ease their symptoms. Health insurance is so expensive this year—nay, always—which can make seeing an accredited doctor out of reach. Supplements are also one of the biggest markets in the country because of their sparkly marketing and unique governance. You see, according to the American Medical Association, the FDA views all supplements “as food” rather than health boons, so they’re not tested in some ways that people believe they should be.
In any case, there’s no shortage of testimonies to back up many supplements’ claims, and that’s certainly the case with kava. Ready to learn more about this mystery plant?
What is kava?
What do kava, black pepper, and radiator plants all have in common? They belong to the pepper family of plants. In kava’s case specifically, the plant hails from the Pacific Islands, where it grows in tropical environments. Kava is a beautiful green leaf that can have a striking yellow trim around its edge, and according to the National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health, it’s been known by many names, including kava kava, kawa, ava pepper, and ava root.
When used as a health supplement, kava is typically consumed as a drink. The leaves are pulverized similarly to matcha before being mixed with a liquid like coconut water. It’s said to have some distinct benefits, leading it to first hit the U.S. scene in the ‘90s before going dormant. Now, it’s rising as a popular supplement again in the 2020s.
What is kava used for?
Wondering whether the hot new supplement trend is safe or not is only natural. First, it’s important to understand what it’s used for—and why it’s been consumed for thousands of years in the Pacific Islands, per the National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health.
Simply, lessening anxiety is the central touted benefit of drinking kava beverages. “The root of the kava plant contains 18 different phytochemicals, or plant-based compounds, known as kavalactones,” Dr. Robert D. Ashley explained to UCLA Health. “These compounds alter the conduction of nerve signals, decrease excitatory neurotransmitters, increase the ability of the amino acid GABA to bind its receptors, inhibit the enzyme monoamine oxidase, and reduce uptake of the neurotransmitters noradrenaline and dopamine.” That all sounds fancy, but Dr. Ashley noted that it all boils down to one benefit: “Kava can help reduce anxiety.”
Is kava safe to consume, and is it legal?
Few studies have been completed on kava, but it’s generally been deemed safe to consume. Folks who consume it may experience drowsiness, nausea, mouth numbness, or headaches, as with other plant supplements, but these issues should subside and do not affect everyone.
Thanks to its “psychological and physical relaxation,” as Ashley put it, you might think kava is similar to marijuana—and you wouldn’t be entirely wrong. Both plants have been linked to easing anxiety, but there are some obvious differences, like legality. Kava is completely legal in all 50 states, per a December 2025 press release from the US Food and Drug Administration. In fact, the department labeled it as a “conventional food,” so you’re free to consume it at your leisure.
Where to try kava in Arizona
A strawberry kava drink in a clear cup in moody lighting. (Rooted Kava Bar)
1. Rooted Kava Bar
Address: 1010 W. Chandler Heights Road #2, Chandler, AZ 85248
Hours: Monday-Thursday: 8 am-12 am; Friday-Saturday: 8 am-2 am; Sunday: 8 am-12 am
Rooted Kava Bar is a homey home away from home in Chandler, and if its reviews are anything to go by, you’re going to love the vibes there. The variety of drinks is a huge plus, too. Guests can get a traditional kava experience, or they can opt for fun, over-the-top flavors like Caramel Rush (flavor notes of caramel, hazelnut, and nutmeg), Breakfast Crunch (flavor notes of French vanilla, chocolate, and actual Cinnamon Toast Crunch cereal), and Samoa (flavor notes of coconut, chocolate, and salted caramel). Oh, and Rooted Kava Bar serves matcha and coffee as well, so there’s something for everyone.
2. Awa Kava & Coffee
Address: 218 S. San Francisco St., Flagstaff, AZ 86001
Hours: Monday-Thursday: 6:30 am-11 pm; Friday-Saturday: 6:30 am-12 am; Sunday: 6:30 am-11 pm
Speaking of serving both kava and coffee, Awa Kava & Coffee is “Flagstaff’s only non-alcoholic bar,” according to its website. If that weren’t intriguing enough, its options feel endless thanks to its customization options, which include interesting ways to combine kava, tea, and coffee. You can also order them straight, of course, but where’s the fun in that?
One of the best-sounding ones to us is Greg’s Dirty Muddy Chai, which starts with a classic dirty chai (chai with espresso) and takes it even further with kava. When all three drinks come together, you’re sure to get something truly unique. Other notable menu items include Juda’s Peanut Butter Cup kava latte and the Hawaiian Highlight, a latte featuring coconut and caramel.
3. Twisted Totem Kava Bar
Address: 9822 N. Seventh St. #4, Phoenix, AZ 85020
Hours: Monday-Thursday: 5 pm-2 am; Friday-Saturday: 12 pm-2 am; Sunday: 5 pm-2 am
Kava is a sacred beverage, and one business placing authenticity at the forefront is Twisted Totem Kava Bar. This shop sources its kava carefully and even does lab testing to ensure that its guests receive the best drinks possible. Another thing we love about this bar is its stellar deals. As seen in a January 2026 Instagram post, Twisted Totem has deals every single day, both during lunchtime and in the evening. You can get 50 percent off tea and shells from 12 pm to 2 pm every day of the week, and then rotating deals in the evening. Think you can handle your kava? On Sundays, you can opt into all-you-can-drink kava there!
4. The Kava Bar & The Kava Den
Address: 4376 E. Speedway Blvd., Tucson, AZ 85712 and 67 E. Pennington St., Tucson, AZ 85701
Hours: Monday-Saturday: 1 pm-12 am; Sunday: 1 pm-10 pm & Monday-Wednesday: 12 pm-10 pm; Thursday-Saturday: 12 pm-12 am; Sunday: 12 pm-10 pm
The Kava Bar and The Kava Den are two lovely Tucson shops owned and operated by locals Whitney and Kevin, and they clearly aim to make you comfortable when you visit their storefronts, as you’ll find no shortage of cozy couch seating. Like the other kava bars on this list, the drinks at these shops come in a variety of flavors, including many fruity ones. One decadent option is the Keylime Pie drink, or maybe you’re more of a Mallowretto person (yes, that’s a yummy combination of Amaretto and marshmallow). Also like other shops, you can get traditional kava here if you’re looking for a more natural experience. Still, you can’t really go wrong.
A sunrise-colored drink in a clear glass on a bar. (Mad Hatter Kava)
6. Mad Hatter Kava
Address: 15425 S. 48th St. #116, Phoenix, AZ 85044
Hours: Monday-Thursday: 8 am-11 pm; Friday-Saturday: 8 am-12 am; Sunday: 8 am-11 pm
Finally, we have Mad Hatter Kava, a Phoenix institution—and one of the most popular kava bars in Arizona, hands down. There are actually two Mad Hatter Kava locations in the area, but we’re focusing on the 48th St. store here because of its perfect 5-star Google rating. (The other location is in Gilbert and has a 4.9-star rating. We really had to split hairs here.)
At Mad Hatter Kava, you can experience flavorful and experimental drinks in a relaxed atmosphere that will instantly help you unwind after a long day. There’s a horchata-inspired KavaChata, a fruity and familiar MadGarita, and fun options, like the blueberry-and-vanilla-based Cheshire. And that’s only the beginning—you’ll find so many more drinks named after “Alice in Wonderland” motifs here. On Mondays, you can attend happy hour from 2 pm to 6 pm for ample fun without breaking the bank.
This article first appeared on Good Info News Wire and is republished here under a Creative Commons license.
