Around the time we were wandering the spice gardens of Thekkady (Kerala), learning about the harvesting of betel nut, Maddy posted on the same. A comprehensive documentary on Paan and the culture of betel nut chewing. Plus, a link to a video of people jumping in between high trees, similar to how betel nuts are harvested. Imagine climbing those tall tall trees! I just can’t….. and all for the pleasure of paan!
Then he looks at the distance and brings his jaws together for the first crunch, and you can see the delight in his face as he crushes the nut and starts to grind the concoction in his mouth, moving it from side to side (those who have seen the brilliant Kamal Sreedevi movie Meendum kokila will recall the song Chinnan cheru…and the granny chewing paan). Well, from the very early days my dad, his side of the family and I have loved this Malayali ‘paan’ after ceremonial dinners, preferring it over the north Indian variety that you get outside hotels today.
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