Paan Supari

Paan Supari is a preparation combining betel leaf with areca nut widely consumed throughout Southeast Asia, East Asia mainly Taiwan, and the Indian subcontinent.

It is chewed for its stimulant and psychoactive effects. After chewing it is either spat out or swallowed.

Paan has many variations. Slaked lime chunnam paste is commonly added to bind the leaves. Some preparations in the Indian subcontinent include katha paste or mukhwas to freshen the breath.

The origin and diffusion of betel chewing originates from and is closely tied to the Neolithic expansion of the Austronesian peoples.

It was spread to the Indo-Pacific during prehistoric times, reaching Near Oceania at 3,500 to 3,000 BP; South India and Sri Lanka by 3,500 BP; Mainland Southeast Asia by 3,000 to 2,500 BP; Northern India by 1500 BP; and Madagascar by 600 BP. From India, it was also spread westwards to Persia and the Mediterranean.