Culture of Gujarat - Paan Chewing in Gujarat

Paan Chewing in Gujarat

Betel chewing is a part of many Asian cultures, and preparation techniques vary from region to region. The nut is either slivered or grated, often flavored with spices according to local tradition and usually wrapped in a betel leaf (betel leaf comes from the betel pepper plant, Piper betle, which is not botanically related to the betel palm, Areca catechu), along with some lime (calcium oxide or calcium hydroxide) to better extract the alkaloids. Some people also chew tobacco with betel nut. After about 20 minutes of chewing, the fibrous residue which remains of the nut is spat on the street, where it remains visible due to its characteristic bright red color. Trails of bright red sputum lining the sidewalks are a sure indication of the popularity of betel chewing in an area.

In Gujarat, betel (called paan) chewing is as popular as tobacco smoking in the whole world. Paan is often served wrapped in a betel leaf,

In Gujarat, in fact in the whole of India, paan has been playing an important part in social life and customs for hundreds of years. In the courts of Medieval Rulers, the betel leaf or pan was offered as part of hospitality, friendship and love.

The Different types of paans are:

• Saada paan: Just a filling of cardamom, betel nut and cloves.
• Chutney paan: Has a filling of cardamom, betel nut & spicy mint paste.
• Meetha paan: Its filled with grated coconut, dates, gulkand (rose petal & sugar syrup) & jellied fruit.
• Tobacco paan: is filled with tobacco of different brands and betel nut.

Using paan with tobacco significantly increases the risk of mouth cancers. Even without tobacco, the use of paan has been associated with changes in the lining of the mouth that increase the risk of cancer of the mouth.