Why Do Indians Eat Paan And How Did It Begin? History And Origin Of This Unique Practice

5,000 years ago

[{"selector":"#anim-d96f32e9-9fa5-4d27-bf60-d003bb5b4676","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-5486ff2a-e30e-4c7a-97e4-c193958aa262","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, 879.73824%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] Paan originated over 5,000 years ago in India as a post-meal digestive and mouth freshener. Credits: Unsplash

'Tambula'

[{"selector":"#anim-b0f1d9fd-4d03-41f5-b041-21f12582cd35","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-f48011d1-d7f7-4992-b649-a0f99b71044f","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, 666.91345%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] Ancient Sanskrit texts mention paan as 'tambula', describing it as a mixture of betel leaf, areca nut, and lime. Credits: Unsplash

Mughal empire

[{"selector":"#anim-f21ab340-c7b6-492f-8dfa-a3976bfe3959","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-85e87f61-2a66-41fb-92b7-53042695e208","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, 878.26767%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] The Mughal empire popularised paan culture across the Indian subcontinent from the 16th century onwards. Credits: Unsplash

Traditional paan preparation

[{"selector":"#anim-52f54643-455f-445b-aedb-201e4667a7f5","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-e6f7d59a-69eb-47aa-a56a-3aec5996cb3e","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, 879.73824%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] Traditional paan preparation involves wrapping specific ingredients in a betel leaf, creating a neat parcel. Credits: Unsplash

Symbol of hospitality

[{"selector":"#anim-6c10ab3b-6494-475b-8ac8-ee6e1b10759c","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-3d628c59-8f9d-4640-900f-5595cff304fd","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, 895.91475%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] Paan became a symbol of hospitality in Indian culture, offered to guests and during ceremonies. Credits: Unsplash

Unique paan varieties

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Sweet Paan, Fire Paan

[{"selector":"#anim-c06c9fec-3372-4fd3-a17e-c18bf29695fc","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-fa84b1b6-e8e2-4a2d-9285-808bbddf7212","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, 212.46911%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] Modern variants include sweet paan without tobacco, and 'fire paan' which involves briefly lighting the prepared paan. Credits: Unsplash

Indian social customs

[{"selector":"#anim-2f019d38-0bb4-4af9-855c-1f9c80e57506","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-2f215227-a918-48d2-a351-c9795b73bfa5","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, 241.50323%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] Despite health concerns about tobacco-containing versions, paan remains integral to Indian social customs. Credits: Unsplash

[{"selector":"#anim-dc014206-0520-4310-8897-08c3c35eb100","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-6e239b42-0060-4308-8ae3-e1908b2d7fdf","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, 2261.51004%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] Do you like having paan? Credits: Unsplash