What Does It Mean to Be Certified Under the American Kava™ or Pacific Kava™ Geographical Indicators?
American Kava™ and Pacific Kava™ are protected geographical indicators that certify the origin, quality, and authenticity of kava cultivated and processed in the United States—particularly under strict domestic standards. These designations help distinguish American-grown kava from imported material, establishing trust with consumers and supporting the development of a sustainable domestic industry.
-
American Kava™ encompasses all kava grown, harvested, and processed within the United States.
-
Pacific Kava™ is a subset of American Kava™, reserved for kava grown in California’s Pacific coastal microclimates. These areas uniquely suited for high-value specialty crops like avocados, coffee, and now kava. California also happens to host the largest diaspora populations of Fijians, Tongans, Hawaiians, and Samoans outside their native islands, making California’s Pacific Kava™ especially relevant for regional kava bars and cultural communities.
How Does GI Certification Benefit My Company?
Being able to label your product as American Kava™ or Pacific Kava™ instantly signals transparency, traceability, and a commitment to quality. These designations assure your customers that:
-
Your kava is grown and processed in the U.S. under strict agricultural, environmental, and food safety standards.
-
The product is traceable to its domestic origin, ensuring clean material, proper cultivar selection, and legal compliance.
-
Your brand is part of a certified domestic supply chain, helping you distinguish your kava from imported mystery materials or improperly labeled foreign products.
This credibility supports premium pricing, increased consumer trust, and access to higher-tier retail, supplement, and beverage markets.
How does it benefit my customers?
Geographical certification gives customers confidence. Whether they’re looking to avoid heavy metals and banned cultivars or seeking a specific experience from a known chemotype, the GI seal gives them the information and assurance they need. Certificates of Analysis (COAs) linked to certified kava provide full transparency, helping customers find the kava they love while supporting their local farmers.
How does it benefit the kava industry as a whole?
The American Kava™ and Pacific Kava™ designations raise the bar across the board. As more consumers demand traceable, GI-certified kava, substandard and noncompliant vendors will be pressured to either clean up their practices or exit the marketplace. This strengthens the entire kava ecosystem, promotes safe and legal production, and encourages the long-term sustainability of the American Kava Culture, both culturally and commercially.
Geographical indicators protect the integrity of American-grown kava, helping build a legacy of quality, safety, and pride in local production.