Several regions in Indonesia have a tradition of chewing areca nut and betel nut, which spread from Sumatra, Sulawesi to Nusa Tenggara. However, the habit that is still maintained in terms of chewing areca nuts can be seen in the land of West Papua.

If in some places in Indonesia chewing areca nut is only done by parents and occurs in villages, in Papua from small children to adults seen chewing areca nut. In fact, it is done in a public place though. In Papua, chewing areca nut like candy is also known as eating areca nut.

For most Papuans, it’s not perfect if they don’t eat areca nut one day, because it has become their routine. Betel nut sellers can easily be found in traditional market stalls or in storefronts. In fact, a unique sight can be seen in Papua, where there is a prohibition against throwing areca spit in hotels and at the airport.

In the book “Papuan Prehistory” written by Hari Suroto [2010], it is stated that archaeological evidence shows that in prehistoric times, only Papuans on the coast had eaten this fruit since 3,000 years ago. This fruit was introduced by Austronesian-speaking people who came to the coast and small islands off the coast of Papua.

However, the tradition of chewing areca nut is now often found in mountains such as in Wamena, Enarotali, Moanemani, and in other areas. In fact, areca nut trees rarely grow in the highlands.

“The answer is because the sacks of betel nuts are brought to Wamena by plane. Meanwhile, in Enarotali, Moanemani, areca nut is brought by land transportation from Nabire,” said Hari Suroto, who is also an archaeologist from the National Research and Innovation Agency [BRIN] to Mongabay Indonesia in early June 2022.

He explained, the culture of eating areca nut in the mountains of Papua was known in modern times, around the 1960s, when flight access to the mountains opened. It was introduced for the first time by government officials, teachers, police and soldiers who came from the coast of Papua. When they returned to their assignment, they brought lots of betel nuts from their hometown.

“Besides that, the educated generation of mountains who go to school or study in Jayapura City are getting used to a new culture for them, namely eating areca nuts. As soon as they finish school and college, when they return to their place of origin, they bring with them the culture of eating areca nut,” said Hari.

In its development, areca nut has become a new economic commodity in mountainous areas, so it is shipped from Sentani Airport to Wamena. There are two types of areca nut that are brought, namely areca nut fruit and dried betel nuts.

Complementary areca nut is lime and betel. Lime is obtained from burning sea shells. For the Sentani people, lime is obtained by burning the shells of lake snails. Chalk from sea shells is whiter in color than lake snail chalk which is grayish white in color. While the betel nut used is forest betel fruit, when there is no fruit, the stem is used.

However, according to Hari, there is one mountainous area where people do not eat areca nut, namely the Mee Tribe in Dogiyai Regency. They have agreed not to consume or plant areca palms, especially in the Dogiyai area, because for them eating areca nut is a coastal community culture and their ancestors did not know it. In addition, betel nut trees cannot grow in Dogiyai.

Currently, areca nut has become a basic daily need for the people of Papua, which is able to drive the economy of small communities. From the sale of areca nuts, many parents are able to send their children to university. In general, Papuans plant areca palms in their yards or in gardens that are not so large.

The Benefits Of Areca Nut

Areca nut has many benefits for the health of the body. In a research entitled “The Opportunity to Use Areca Nuts for Food” published in the Palma Bulletin [2007], it was explained that the main components contained in areca nut seeds are tannins and alkaloids. These two components are very dominant in providing various benefits to betel nut connoisseurs.

Empirically, areca nut can overcome various types of diseases. Based on various tests, the arekoline compound [alkaloid component] in areca nut seeds can function as anthelmintic [anti-worming].

Other tests revealed that the ethanol extract of areca nut seeds has antidepressant activity [a stress drug]. In order for the benefits of areca nuts to be enjoyed by many people, processing innovations are needed so that they are easy to consume.

“Thus, more consumers will experience the benefits of areca nut seeds, especially for health,” said the report.

Quoted from the health site HealthReplies.com, betel nut has many health benefits because it contains protein, fat, complex carbohydrates, iron, complex B vitamins, calcium, phosphorus, potassium, antioxidants, including flavonoids and polyphenols. Areca nut can

Chewed Like Candy By West Papuan, These Are The Benefits Of Areca Nut

Several regions in Indonesia have a tradition of chewing areca nut and betel nut, which spread from Sumatra, Sulawesi to Nusa Tenggara. However, the habit that is still maintained in terms of chewing areca nuts can be seen in the land of Papua.

If in some places in Indonesia chewing areca nut is only done by parents and occurs in villages, in Papua from small children to adults seen chewing areca nut. In fact, it is done in a public place though. In Papua, chewing areca nut like candy is also known as eating areca nut.

For most Papuans, it’s not perfect if they don’t eat areca nut one day, because it has become their routine. Betel nut sellers can easily be found in traditional market stalls or in storefronts. In fact, a unique sight can be seen in Papua, where there is a prohibition against throwing areca spit in hotels and at the airport.

In the book “Papuan Prehistory” written by Hari Suroto [2010], it is stated that archaeological evidence shows that in prehistoric times, only Papuans on the coast had eaten this fruit since 3,000 years ago. This fruit was introduced by Austronesian-speaking people who came to the coast and small islands off the coast of Papua.

However, the tradition of chewing areca nut is now often found in mountains such as in Wamena, Enarotali, Moanemani, and in other areas. In fact, areca nut trees rarely grow in the highlands.

“The answer is because the sacks of betel nuts are brought to Wamena by plane. Meanwhile, in Enarotali, Moanemani, areca nut is brought by land transportation from Nabire,” said Hari Suroto, who is also an archaeologist from the National Research and Innovation Agency [BRIN] to Mongabay Indonesia in early June 2022.

He explained, the culture of eating areca nut in the mountains of Papua was known in modern times, around the 1960s, when flight access to the mountains opened. It was introduced for the first time by government officials, teachers, police and soldiers who came from the coast of Papua. When they returned to their assignment, they brought lots of betel nuts from their hometown.

“Besides that, the educated generation of mountains who go to school or study in Jayapura City are getting used to a new culture for them, namely eating areca nuts. As soon as they finish school and college, when they return to their place of origin, they bring with them the culture of eating areca nut,” said Hari.

In its development, areca nut has become a new economic commodity in mountainous areas, so it is shipped from Sentani Airport to Wamena. There are two types of areca nut that are brought, namely areca nut fruit and dried betel nuts.

Complementary areca nut is lime and betel. Lime is obtained from burning sea shells. For the Sentani people, lime is obtained by burning the shells of lake snails. Chalk from sea shells is whiter in color than lake snail chalk which is grayish white in color. While the betel nut used is forest betel fruit, when there is no fruit, the stem is used.

However, according to Hari, there is one mountainous area where people do not eat areca nut, namely the Mee Tribe in Dogiyai Regency. They have agreed not to consume or plant areca palms, especially in the Dogiyai area, because for them eating areca nut is a coastal community culture and their ancestors did not know it. In addition, betel nut trees cannot grow in Dogiyai.

Currently, areca nut has become a basic daily need for the people of Papua, which is able to drive the economy of small communities. From the sale of areca nuts, many parents are able to send their children to university. In general, Papuans plant areca palms in their yards or in gardens that are not so large.

The Benefits Of Areca Nut

Areca nut has many benefits for the health of the body. In a research entitled “The Opportunity to Use Areca Nuts for Food” published in the Palma Bulletin [2007], it was explained that the main components contained in areca nut seeds are tannins and alkaloids. These two components are very dominant in providing various benefits to betel nut connoisseurs.

Empirically, areca nut can overcome various types of diseases. Based on various tests, the arekoline compound [alkaloid component] in areca nut seeds can function as anthelmintic [anti-worming].

Other tests revealed that the ethanol extract of areca nut seeds has antidepressant activity [a stress drug]. In order for the benefits of areca nuts to be enjoyed by many people, processing innovations are needed so that they are easy to consume.

“Thus, more consumers will experience the benefits of areca nut seeds, especially for health,” said the report.

Quoted from the health site HealthReplies.com, betel nut has many health benefits because it contains protein, fat, complex carbohydrates, iron, complex B vitamins, calcium, phosphorus, potassium, antioxidants, including flavonoids and polyphenols. Areca nut can