The Betel (Piper betle) is the leaf of a vine belonging to the Piperaceae family; which includes pepper and Kava. It is valued both as a mild stimulant and for its medicinal properties.

Betel leaf is mostly consumed in Asia; and elsewhere in the world by some Asian emigrants; as betel quid or paan; with or without tobacco; in an addictive psycho-stimulating and euphoria-inducing formulation with adverse health effects.

Chewing areca nut is an increasingly rare custom in the modern world. Yet once; not so long ago; areca nut - taken with the leaf of the betel tree and lime paste - was widely consumed throughout South and Southeast Asia by people of all social classes; and was considered an essential part of daily life.