I thought kava was a drink sold in Hawaii and other polynesian island that has similar effects of alcohol but without the hangover effects. Apparently it has some healthy attributes to it.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kava
Googling kava comes up with this:
http://www.google.com/search?q=kava&ie=utf-8&oe=utf-8&aq=t&rls=org.mozilla:en-US
fficial&client=firefox-a
I think your friend was referring to steamed coffee. The steaming process removes coffee's acidity. My brother picked up a pound of it in New Orleans and I really enjoyed it.