Tricia Emberson and her family of Nuku'alofa in Tonga have started a sparkling kava on tap business to make local drinks available for everyone and for those interested in tasting the traditional brew at their Reload Bar in Nuku'alofa.
Emberson says the project has been a two-year ongoing work that is blending tradition with innovation and she plans to add flavoured kava drinks in the future.
She says the 'Sparkling Kava' product is the result of two years of research and work, with the focus on making the drink available so they can also get the market's feedback.
Emberson further says her team has kept the essence of kava while introducing a fresh, modern twist as she believes that turning kava into a drink available for everyone at a local bar is the way to meet demands.
She says they have plans to export as well as flavouring, different flavours, and putting it into a bottle or a can.
While highlighting her challenges, Emberson says they had to shut down their fisheries business due to high costs of operations and are now working hard on keeping their Pacific Brewing and Reload Bar operations going by looking at product options like the sparkling kava and flavoured kava.
She also says small island countries in the Pacific, like Tonga, need more support from the private sector.
Source: RNZ Pacific
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