chewing betel leaf and nut

was at bangkit this morning when i saw one stall selling betel leaves and nuts. was intrigued enough to find out more.

long ago, betel chewing was quite prevalent in singapore, especially among the indians. i was, therefore, surprised when i visited taiwan and saw many taiwanese train workers chewing the same stuff.

heard that betel was chewed by indonesian truck drivers to keep themselves alert on long hauls.

it is misleading to say that betel is "chewed;" more properly, it is sucked. like chewing tobacco, betel is inserted "between the cheek and gum" and left there to soak, sometimes for hours. the generic term "betel nut" is technically a misnomer. what betel chewers put in their mouths is primarily areca nut, sometimes wrapped in betel leaf, with mineral lime usually added as a catalyst. it's the nut-leaf-lime mixture that delivers the magic.

areca nut is the seed of the tall, slender areca palm, native to the fringes of the indian and west pacific oceans. with its husk off, the nut is a little smaller than a walnut. it is solid throughout, has a marbleised grain, and is as hard as a knot in a pine board.

the areca's sister in crime, betel leaf, comes from a tree-climbing vine of the pepper family. the shiny green leaf is heart-shaped, and about the size of the palm of your hand. its essential oil contains a phenol (betel-phenol) similar to the aromatic eugenol found in the oil of cloves.

betel users somehow discovered that the addition of lime helps to extract the vital essence of the plants into the saliva. the catalytic lime is either powder or paste. in either case, it is typically made from kiln-baked seashells.

what is it like to chew betel? enthusiasts recognise three delightful aspects of the experience: the exhilarating lift; the mysterious flavor; and the cleansing, compelling salivation.

betel makes you feel strong. your chest feels broader, your inhalations deeper, your back straighter; and an almost electric invigoration seems to run through your bones. this is a good, healthful, and positive sensation.

the most unusual and visible aspect of betel chewing is its effect on the salivary glands. you don't just salivate, you pour; and the saliva emerges from your mouth tinted a deep brick red. it is not at all uncommon to spit four fluid ounces of "betel juice" in a single session. and spit it you must; swallowing is not recommended, since it may cause an undesirable sensation of heartburn.

travellers to india are frequently shocked by the red splotches that cover the streets and sidewalks; clearly this secretory excess strikes many westerners as not just unaesthetic, but downright filthy.