One of the most striking cultural shocks for foreigners in Bhutan is the extended habit of people, both men and women, spiting a red liquid everywhere. Big signs on public buildings and government offices warn visitors NOT to spit on the floor and the red stains are well extended all over the floors.
"Doma Pani" is an addictive habit of chewing and spitting areca nut and betel leaf with a dash of lime. The colourful mix (areca nuts, bettel leaves and lime /calcium hydroxide) is a traditional addictive entertainment food in India (paan) and Bhutan and many other East Asian countries for centuries. The remains of the chewing is then spit on the floor, disposed of by spitting, producing bright red spots everywhere.
Areca nut is the seed of the Areca, a plant found in dried, cured and fresh forms. In the tree, the husk is green and the nut inside is soft and can easily be cut with a knife.
Areca nuts are chewed with betel leaf for their effects as a mild stimulant, like the coca leaves in the Andes, they cause a warm sensation in the body and heightens alertness, as if you had several coffees.
The areca nut contains the tannins and alkaloids with obvious vasoconstricting properties, like cocaine.
The bhutanese claim the mix aids digestion and they are probably right through the Lime. In fact, mexicans cook corn with cal, the Nixtamales, which increases the natural availability of niacin, it is makes it tastier and easier to digest.
"Doma Pani" is an addictive habit of chewing and spitting areca nut and betel leaf with a dash of lime. The colourful mix (areca nuts, bettel leaves and lime /calcium hydroxide) is a traditional addictive entertainment food in India (paan) and Bhutan and many other East Asian countries for centuries. The remains of the chewing is then spit on the floor, disposed of by spitting, producing bright red spots everywhere.
Areca nut is the seed of the Areca, a plant found in dried, cured and fresh forms. In the tree, the husk is green and the nut inside is soft and can easily be cut with a knife.
Areca nuts are chewed with betel leaf for their effects as a mild stimulant, like the coca leaves in the Andes, they cause a warm sensation in the body and heightens alertness, as if you had several coffees.
The areca nut contains the tannins and alkaloids with obvious vasoconstricting properties, like cocaine.
The bhutanese claim the mix aids digestion and they are probably right through the Lime. In fact, mexicans cook corn with cal, the Nixtamales, which increases the natural availability of niacin, it is makes it tastier and easier to digest.
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