30% vs 80% Kavalactone Extract: Which Kava Extract Should You Use?
A 30% Kavalactone extract is a fine powder that mixes into water in seconds, which suits instant Kava and ready-to-mix drinks. An 80% Kavalactone extract is a concentrated liquid that packs the most Kavalactones into the smallest volume, which suits formulators and high-strength products. This guide compares the two so beverage brands, formulators and manufacturers can pick the right one. It's written by Qamea Kava, which makes both extracts from Noble Fijian Kava grown on its own farm on Qamea Island, Fiji.
30% vs 80% Kavalactone extract at a glance
| 30% Kavalactone extract | 80% Kavalactone extract | |
|---|---|---|
| Kavalactone standardisation | 30% total Kavalactones | 80% total Kavalactones |
| Format | Fine powder | Concentrated liquid |
| Mixing | Stirs into water or a base in seconds, no straining | Small doses, blended into a formulation |
| Best for | Instant Kava, ready-to-mix drinks, private-label powders | Formulators, manufacturers, high-strength products |
| Kavalactones per gram | About 300 mg | About 800 mg |
| Qamea sizes | 2 oz, 4 oz, 1 kg, 5 kg | 1 oz, 5 oz, 1 lb, 1 kg |
What "30%" and "80%" actually mean
The percentage is the share of the extract, by weight, that is total Kavalactones, the active compounds in Kava. So 1 g of a 30% extract contains about 300 mg of Kavalactones, and 1 g of an 80% extract contains about 800 mg. For comparison, traditional Kava root powder typically sits in the low-to-mid teens; Qamea's Noble Fijian root has averaged about 14% total Kavalactones (10.0–17.24% across five independent lab tests, 2021–2026). Extraction concentrates those Kavalactones and leaves most of the fibrous root behind, which is why extracts don't need straining.
When to choose the 30% extract
- Instant and ready-to-mix drinks. The powder disperses in water in seconds, so consumers can make a cup without a strainer bag.
- Private-label powders and sachets. It's easy to portion and pack.
- Products where you want a traditional-style serving size. A lower concentration gives you more room to fine-tune a serving.
When to choose the 80% extract
- Formulations where volume is limited, such as small-format drinks or concentrates.
- Manufacturing where you blend the extract into your own base and want the most Kavalactones per gram.
- R&D and high-strength product development.
How to calculate Kavalactones per serving
Use this formula to compare the two extracts, or any Kava ingredient, for your product:
Kavalactones per serving (mg) = grams of extract per serving × standardisation % × 1,000
Example only: 0.5 g of 30% extract = 0.5 × 0.30 × 1,000 = 150 mg of Kavalactones. The same 150 mg from the 80% extract needs only about 0.19 g. Always set serving sizes with your own regulatory and formulation advisers.
Micronized, instant and extract: what's the difference?
You'll see three terms used for "easy" Kava:
- Micronized Kava is root powder ground extremely fine, so it can be drunk without straining. It keeps the whole root, at root-level Kavalactone content.
- Instant Kava usually means Kava that's been dried from a prepared liquid so it redissolves in water. Strength varies by maker.
- Kavalactone extract is concentrated and standardised to a stated percentage, such as 30% or 80%, so the strength is specified.
For a brand, the advantage of a standardised extract is predictability: you know how many Kavalactones go into every serving, batch after batch.
What to ask an extract supplier
- Is the extract made from noble Kava? From which origin?
- What is the standardisation, and can you send the COA for the current batch?
- What extraction method do you use?
- What sizes and monthly volumes can you supply?
- Can you support private label?
Qamea's extracts
Qamea Kava makes both extracts from Noble Fijian Kava grown on its own farm on Qamea Island, Fiji, using supercritical CO₂ extraction. The Kava is lab-tested and COAs are available on request. See the 30% Kavalactone extract, the 80% Kavalactone extract, or request wholesale extract pricing and specs.
FAQ
Is a 30% Kava extract water-soluble?
Qamea's 30% extract is a fine powder that mixes into water in seconds with no straining, which is why it's used for instant and ready-to-mix Kava drinks.
Is 80% Kava extract stronger than 30%?
Per gram, yes: an 80% extract contains about 800 mg of Kavalactones per gram versus about 300 mg in a 30% extract. What matters for a product is the Kavalactones per serving, which you set by adjusting the amount used.
Can I buy Kava extract wholesale?
Yes. Qamea supplies 30% and 80% Kavalactone extracts in bulk and for private label. See wholesale extract details.
This article is general information for businesses and formulators, not medical or regulatory advice. Kava products are regulated differently in each market; check the rules where you sell.