Paan is
an ethnic Indian chew usually served
at the end of an Indian meal and ceremonies
such as weddings, receptions. Paan
can be bought in nearly every street
corner in India. They are believed
to help in digestion of curried foods
and also act as mouth fresheners.
When Paan
is chewed, a red food dye inside it
makes our mouth red. Many people do
not swallow much of Paan, thus resulting
in pool of red liquid (due to red
dye and saliva) which they spited
out (the red liquid) rather than swallowing
it.
A simple
Paan can be prepared in following
way.
- Betel leaf is washed
carefully and then dried with cloth.
- Mix spices such
as cardamom, anise and katha with
choona (lime paste), grated coconut,
different kinds of supari (betel
nuts) and small piece of various
candies.
- Add the mixture
on the betel leaf.
- Fold the leaf into
a triangular shape and secure it
by piercing a piece of cloves into
it.
- You can keep
Paan fresh on ice with rose petals.
Also spelled as Pan.
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