Malaysia
The composition of the Betel quid in Malaysia mostly comprises of dried areca nut slices produced from fully ripened areca nuts, slaked lime and betel leaf. Tobacco is not chewed with betel quid by most of the consumers. Betel quid chewing is associated with traditions and rituals and has some cultural significance as well.
In Malaysia, the Betel quid chewing habit is prevalent in rural areas among the older generation. A nationwide survey in 2011 showed that Malaysian woman (10.5%) had a higher quid chewing rate than men (4.8%). This habit was most common among those above 50 years. With regards to ethnicity, Indian females were found to have the highest prevalence (28.9%), closely followed by the Sabah and Sarawak Indigenous females (28.4%).
Indonesia
The
composition of the Betel quid in Indonesia mostly comprises of areca nut, betel leaf
and slaked lime. Catechu extract is also added along with spices such as
cardamom or clove for flavor. Areca nut of different variety are used in
different provinces. For example, in Papua, areca nut of 6-7 months maturity is
used along with betel spike and lime. The practice is similar to Papua New
Guinea. Whereas in certain provinces, boil dried “red supari” is consumed and
in certain provinces dried or fresh fully ripened areca nuts are consumed along
with betel leaf and slaked lime. Tobacco is not an ingredient of betel quid in
Indonesia. However, after the Betel quid has been chewed for several minutes, a
lump of fine-cut tobacco is added to the mouth.
The survey
conducted in various provinces of Indonesia in 2011 found that the prevalence
of Betel quid (Tambula) chewing is higher for women (46.8%) than men (12.0%).
The betel quid is attached with cultural and traditional value and no ritual
will be complete without offering areca nut and betel leaf to the deity and
priest.
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