Saturday, February 25, 2017

Nutty



A betel nut tried to liven up a dead leaf with all its toxins and stimulants.

The areca (betel) nut, the seed of the areca palm, is commonly eaten by itself, plain or aromatically treated; or, most extensively,  with any of a variety of leaves, which can be astringent or aromatic and mildly sweet.  These are wrapped around the areca nut, along with lime, catechu, and many sweet and fragrant condiments. These condiments vary according to taste and the specific leaf used. Frequently, the whole thing is a vehicle for chewable tobacco. The mix of leaf and nut is called paan in South Asia.

There is irony in the fact that chewing paan, because of catechu and lime (rich in calcium), strengthens the gums and teeth, but also weakens them at the same time. Paan, like caffeine and nicotine, is chemically very rich and habit-forming, so much so that people who are habituated to it become dysfunctional in their work and effort unless they frequently chew paan as an enhancer of concentration and performance. On the other hand, when an unaccustomed person chews it, palpitation, giddiness, and even fainting can ensue.


In this picture, the nut is shown cut exactly in half. The leaf which is shown is not edible and is not part of the areca palm.
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Hemantha Kumar Pamarthy said...
....aa
apani hi duniyaa me khoyaa rahe wo
hamare dil ki na puchhe bedardaa
puchhe bedardaa

paan khaaye saiyaan hamaaro
hoy-hoy
saanvali suratiyaa hoth laal-laal
haay-haay malamal kaa kurataa
malamal ke kurate pe chhit laal-laal
paan khaaye saiyaan hamaaro.....

Charu said...

Not to forget, in accompaniment of paan and such, its contributions in three other areas; enhancements of romance in Royal households, of eroticism in brothels and ruining streets and staircase landing corners with red spits.

BTW, Betelnut's (Supari's) beautiful markings makes one think it grew upto be the leaf next to it.


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