Fresh Produce (500g)
Product Code: HB10
Price: £8.99
Betel Nut: Fresh Thai Produce (500g)
The Betel Nut has a long tradition of being consumed in Thai culture although this has gradually declined with consumption mostly done by the older generation. The Betel Nut is also known as the Areca Nut and it is the seed of the Areca catechu or Areca palm.
It grows throughout Asia, the Pacific especially in the tropical regions and in some parts of East Africa. The fruits of the Areca grow on tall palms that can be as high as one hundred feet or 30 meters in height. They are a bright and attractive orange when they are fully ripened.
They are left to dry in the sun and the outer husk is then removed. There are large round seeds that are sliced by special cutters in thin strips. The seeds can be sold whole or cracked. The betel leaves and the tender sliced Areca nut are sold in markets or used in offerings at the temple.
The Betel Nut is often chewed and the nut is sliced into a few pieces with lime, clove, catechu and cardamom which gives it an extra flavor. The effect is said to be a mild stimulant similar to the effects of drinking coffee. Many people who chew the leaf also use tobacco with the leaf.
The Betel Nut is used in Chinese traditional medicine and the nut can be ground down into a powder that is often used to relieve toothache. It is also used in some places for other medicinal properties such as being used as a decoction. Outside of the cities in Thailand it is common to see people over the age of 50 with their mouths and teeth reddened due to the chewing of the betel nut but this tradition is on the decline.
Note: The cut off date for placing your fresh products order will be Wednesday, with delivery scheduled for the following Wednesday. This is because all our fresh food in flown in directly from Thailand on a weekly basis to ensure you get the freshest possible products.
Fresh produce from Thailand.
