As white areca nut price reaches a new high in India, Rs. 500/kg, time to talk of this popular nut, which is called “supari” in Hindi and is selling like hot cakes now. Till now, this nut had not fetched such a high price. This is a whopping 80% jump post-lockdown.
As per 2017 reports of FAO, India is the top producer of areca nut in the world. It accounts to 54.07% of the total output in the world. Karnataka is the top producer of areca nut, followed closely by Kerala and Assam.
Do you know arecanut is not native to India?
Scientists believe that the nut came from Philippines or Malaysia. This is a tropical crop grown extensively in the West Indies, African East Coast, China, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, and Malyasia.
The habit of chewing the nut comes from Malaysia and Vietnam. It is believed that the crop spread from Southeast Asia to other parts of Asia and to India. In India, the crop is a valuable cash crop.
Do you know areca nut finds mention in the Indian Ayurveda texts as traditional medicine?
Areca nut was also used in the pre-vedic period, as per reports. The ancient Indian civilization called it “taamboola.” Areca nut has importance in the religious rites of the Hindus such as marriage, birth, and others. In India, it is a mark of hospitality to offer areca nut to guests. It is also used as an offering to God by placing one nut over two betel leaves.
Varieties of Areca nut Grown in India
India grows two areca nut varieties. One is white areca nut and the other is red areca nut.
• White arecanut is harvested when the nuts are fully ripe. Then they are sun dried for two months.
• Red arecanut is harvested when the nut is still green. After harvest, the nut is boiled. Then, its outer husk is removed.
Uses
Arecanuts and the plant, both, are used extensively in South Asia and India. Its uses include as medicine, for chewing the nut, as vegetable, as fuel wood, as timber, for wrapping, for lubricating, in clothing, in tannin, and others.
It is a common sight to see people chew areca nut with betel leaves. It produces a stimulating effect.
